Pheon Issue 1-26

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T h e S i d n e y S u ss e x N e w s l e tt e r American Connections

Photograph: Ed Strauss

With the support of Cambridge in America, Andrew and Jo hosted a lively and enjoyable dinner at the Cornell Club in New York, following “Cambridge in America Day.” The evening was a very Dinner at the Cornell Club special opportunity to meet Sidney Americans, including several Directors of the Sidney Sussex Foundation (described below) and to discuss future visits and plans. The Master was impressed by the loyalty and enthusiasm of Sidney’s American Members, and looks forward to hosting regular events in New York, San Francisco and other regions. A smaller alumni gathering in New Haven, CT was equally congenial.

The Fox International Fellowship Program One highlight of the Master’s US trip was an opportunity to meet Joseph Fox and to visit the Fox International Fellowship Program at Yale University. This student exchange partnership between Yale and eleven leading world universities offers talented graduates and postgraduates the chance to pursue academic research and to develop their leadership skills while experiencing the culture of another country.

Sidney Sussex is privileged to be the only Cambridge or UK College presently working in partnership with the Fox International Fellowship Program; the other partner institutions are Moscow State University, the Free University of Berlin, Fudan University in Shanghai, the University of Tokyo, Institut d’études de Politiques de Paris, Jawaraharlal Nehru University, El Colegio de Mexico, Bogazici University, Tel Aviv University and the University of Cape Town.

Boat Club US travels and Alumni dinner 24 Sidney rowers and two coxes travelled to Philadelphia in late June for the Independence Day Regatta, held between the 2nd–4th of July on the Schuylkill River. Hosted by a local club, the Sidney rowers trained hard and rowed well, staying on in Philadelphia for several extra days to see the sights.

The Sidney Boat Club is pleased to announce the 2010 SSBC Alumni Dinner, to be held in College on 6th November (booking form enclosed). All who rowed or coxed for Sidney are welcome to attend.

There will be alumni outings during the day. The dinner two years ago was very well attended and by all accounts a great success; the dinner helped to fund a new boat for the 1st women and there have already been noticeable benefits across all levels of the women’s side of the boat club. This year the aim is to raise money for two new fours.

Photograph: Zoe Swenson-Wright

In March, the Master, Professor Andrew Wallace-Hadrill, travelled to the US with his wife Jo to meet Sidney alumni in New York, Maryland and New England and to give public lectures on his project at Herculaneum at Yale and Washington and Lee Universities.

The Sidney Sussex Foundation

Christopher Stoneman and Tony French

The Sidney Sussex Foundation was established in 1973, the brainchild of Sidney alumnus Christopher Stoneman (Law, 1947).

A Vermont and New Hampshire attorney, Christopher has had a remarkably long association with Sidney, through four generations of his family.

The 1973 Sidney Sussex College Annual recorded the establishment of the Sidney Sussex Foundation, announcing that: ‘The five Directors (Founding Fathers) are: The Reverend Sewall Emerson (1928, Theology), President; Dr Ronald N. Bracewell (1946, Physics research), Vice-President; Christopher G. Stoneman (1947, Law), Secretary and Treasurer); Peter G. Andrews (1938, Mechanical Sciences); and Howard L. Meyer (1957, Law).’ The Foundation was set up to support the College financially, and to assist alumni in need. It was conceived of as an organization that could bring Sidney’s American alumni together in support of the College and each other. This mission evolved over time; by the mid-1990s, the Foundation was raising substantial sums, and funding annual North American Fellowships to build links between Sidney and the US. In all this, the Sidney Sussex Foundation (cited by College historian C.W. Scott Giles as a highlight of Sidney’s modern period) was very much ahead of its time. In 1973, neither Cambridge nor Sidney had any organized fundraising or alumni activities, beyond the traditional Commemoration dinners. The five original Directors not only raised money for the College, but introduced Sidney to the concept of modern, American-style fundraising and alumni relations. Sidney took this lesson on board, becoming one of the first Colleges in Cambridge to recognize the need for alumni fundraising, and the first to launch an Annual Fund.

In 1995, Professor Anthony P French became the President of the Foundation. Howard Meyer (now sadly deceased) and Christopher Stoneman continued in their roles, together with John F Scott (1951) and Derek T Weatherill (1948) . When Christopher Stoneman retired in 2003, he was replaced by another attorney, the indefatigable Tom Viles (1992), an alumnus and former Fellow of the College. On the retirement of Derek Weatherill, David Smith (1958) joined the Board of Directors.

Over the years, the Sidney Sussex Foundation has hosted many visitors from Sidney, including Masters Gabriel Horn and Sandra Dawson, and Vice-Master Tony Badger. During their recent American tour, Andrew and Jo Wallace Hadrill met with Tony French and Tom Viles to discuss the future of the Foundation. Although Cambridge in America, with its modern offices and substantial, professional staff, is now better placed to fundraise in the US on behalf of the College, the spirit and alumni connections created by the Sidney Sussex Foundation go far beyond legalities. Although the Foundation has now wound up its fundraising activities, the community of support created in 1973 has become a permanent part of Sidney’s history and future.

Sidney’s men’s quad on Philadelphia’s Schuylkill River

For more information, please contact the Captain of Boats, Sam Harrison, at captain@ssbc.org.uk or Elin Gosby at alumni-officer@ ssbc.org.uk. If you would like to be kept informed of boat club events please return the relevant section of the form, even if you can’t attend the dinner.

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ISSUE TWENTY-SIX Summer 2010

CONTENTS Thank you to donors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Honouring Donald Green . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

The Donald Green Fund .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Engineering triumph at the May Ball . . . . . . 3

Befriend the Sidney Choir . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

The Sidney Sussex Society .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Past and forthcoming events .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Pass it On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

2010–2011 Diary Dates 12 September 2010

Reunion garden party for the matriculands of 1990, 1980, 1970, 1960 and all earlier years

16 October 2010

The annual John Thornely dinner in Hall, all Sidney lawyers welcome

6 November 2010

SSBC Alumni dinner in College

20 November 2010

Dinner in honour of Donald Green, all Sidney engineers welcome

6 December 2010

The Sidney Sussex Society Christmas Party in London (details TBA)

5 February 2011

Arts at Sidney Lecture and Dinner

27 February 2011

Celebration of the Quatercentenary of the King James Bible

February 2011

The John Thornely Lecture in London (details TBA)

14 May 2011

MA Graduation Dinner

21 June 2011

Sidney Sussex Society BA Graduands Party

8 October 2011

Sidney Sussex Society visit to Duxford

Commemoration of Benefactors Dates for 2010 – 2014 25 September 2010

1956–1960 (inclusive)

25 June 2011

1989–1991 (inclusive)

24 September 2011

1980–1982 (inclusive)

30 June 2012

1961–1962, 1964, 1950 & older

29 September 2012

2001–2003 inclusive

29 June 2013

1983–1985 inclusive

28 September 2013

1974–1976 inclusive

June 2014

1967–1970 inclusive

September 2014

1977–1979 inclusive

Forthcoming events are posted on the Sidney website at: www.sid.cam.ac.uk/alumni

Thank you to all who have supported Sidney Sussex in 2009 & 2010 The Master and Fellows of Sidney Sussex College are most grateful to all those members and friends of the College who have supported Sidney Sussex between 1 July 2008 and 30 June 2010, through gifts to the Annual Fund, gifts to funds and special projects and gifts-in-kind. We thank also those of you who have made your contributions anonymously. Although your names are not listed below, we are very grateful for your support.

Dr S Ahnert, 1998 Professor J W Allen, 1946 Mr N G Allen, 1971 Mr I Anderson, 1986 Mr J V R Anderson, 1955 Mr P G Andrews, 1938 Mr R G Andrews (in honour of P G Andrews) Mr S M Andrews, 1953 Mr R A Angier, 1958 The Ann D Foundation Mrs G N G Appleton, 1995 Dr M Archer Miss M L Archer, 2000 Mr S W Askew, 1966 Mrs D A Atkinson Miss P Atkinson, 1986 Mr M K Ayers, 1964 Mr J B Bairstow, 1952 Dr K R Baker Aggarwal, 1997 Mr C H Balch, 1971 Mr S Baldock, 1999 Dr P J Ball, 1952 Dr S Bannerjee Mr G G Bannerman, 1950 The Estate of Mr R A Barber, 1935 Dr T J Barber, 1996 Mr M P Basing, 1976 Mr A V Bassili, 1952 Mr G A Bazire, 1978 Mr J R Beale Mr M M Beber, 2000 Sir Terence Beckett, 1981 Mr J M M Bell, 1952 Ms C L Bennett, 1996 Mr C E Benson, 1947 Mr C R Benson, 1992 Mr J N Berry, 1970 Dr S A Bew, 1981 Mrs C L Bewick, 1984 Dr E Biagini, 1985 Professor H J B Birks, 1963 Mr P Birnbaum, 1951 Mr R H Birtwistle, 1961 The Blackstone Charitable Foundation (Mr P A Melwani) Mr D M Blake, 1961 Mr A C Bloom, 1989 Professor Sir T L Blundell, 1995 Mr J A W Boardman-Weston, 1973 Dr P A Bonnet, 2002 Mr M Bouchard, 2000 Mr and Mrs D C Bowker Mr W R Bradford, 1949 Mr S Braid, 1973 Mr T J Bramley, 1959 Dr R E Brigety, 1995 Mr R G Broadie, 1959 Mr J Brock, 1948 Lord and Lady Broers Mr D D Bromley-Challenor, 1949 Dr L Broughton Dr A K Brown, 1976 Dr P V Brown, 1975 Mrs B K Browning Mr C A Browning, 1953 Dr L F Brunt, 1947 Mr J H Bryson, 1961 Dr J F Buchan, 1933 Ms M J Buchanan, 1998 Mr G W Buckley, 1948 Mr M G Bullen, 1954 Mr M P D Bullock Mr A M Burgess, 1946 Dr J Burgess, 1957 Mr and Mrs C L Calderwood, 1986 Mr M Cantor Professor K J Carpenter, 1941 Dr L J Carter, 1967 Professor P Cartledge Rev’d J M Casement, 1985 Dr M W Cemlyn-Jones, 1936 Mr F W Cheesman, 1952 Dr S Chebankov Mr W G E Chilton, 1945 Dr R J Chisnall, 1970 Mr P J Clare, 1968 Mr D R Clegg, 1949 Mr J H Clement, 1948

Mr P J Coggan, 1977 Ms L A Cohen, 1999 Mr J R Collis, 1958 Mr G E S Coltman, 1991 Mr S R Coltman, 1954 The Company of Biologists Mr W A Cook, 2004 Mr A D Cooper Mr R B Cooper, 1977 R G Copleston (1935) Trust Mr F D Cousin, 1953 Mrs S Coutu Mr R A Crabb, 1957 Dr D E C Crean, 1957 Dr J M Crossman, 1966 Professor R T Curtis, 1964 Mr D T K Dagg, 1987 Mr Y R Dallal, 1989 Mr G Darby, 1948 Mrs S L Darke Professor A A Dashwood, 1995 Mrs H C Dauris, 1985 Professor Dame Sandra Dawson, 1999 Cdr D Dawson-Taylor, 1953 Dr G De Andrade Mr D E de Saxe, 1954 Mrs N De Soysa Mrs B P Deans Mr M Deans, 1990 Mr J D Derry, 1958 The Alan and Sheila Diamond Charitable Trust Miss K Dickers Mr R W Dingle, 1974 Dr R H L Disney, 1959 Miss C E Dixon, 1994 The Shawn M Donnelley Fund Mr J Donnelly, 1988 Dr J P Dougherty, 1953 Mrs S J Downey, 1979 Dr A L Downing, 1944 Rev’d A J R Driver, 1963 Rev’d R C Dunnett, 1951 Miss A E Eames Mr F A Eames, 1963 Mr F R Edgar, 1957 Mr E R P Edgcumbe, 1970 Dr M E Edwards,1977 Miss S V M Edwards, 2003 Dr N S Elzeer, 1998 Mr J C Emmerson, 1949 Ernst & Barber Mr P I Espenhahn, 1962 Mr N O Essex, 1961 Mr T M Etherton Mr C D Evans, 1991 Mr H M Evans, 1965 Mrs J Evans, 2002 Miss J T Evans, 1985 Mr S J M Evans, 1976 Mr C D S Ewart, 1956 Mr R M Farahar, 1948 Mrs H E Farmbrough, 1978 Dr E Faulkes Mr M Fealy, 1991 Mr C A K Fenn-Smith, 1953 Mr P N Fison, 1966 Dr A J Flewitt, 1999 Mrs V S Flint, 1989 Dr P D Flynn, 2005 Mr M P Fogden, 1942 Mrs H C Flewitt, 2002 Mr M D Ford, 1955 Mr J Fordham, 1981 Mr I G Forman, 1949 Mr P G D Fox, 1963 Mr R France, 1991 Professor A P French, 1939 Mr W French, 1935 Mr K G Frey, 1960 Mr R M Furber, 1959 Dr D Fyfe, 1963 Sir William Gage, 1958 Mr J W F Gardiner, 1938 The Honorable Sir P N Garland, 1948 Dr R E B Garrod, 1964 Mr D G Garton, 1982 Mr J C Gaskell, 1936 Mr R C H Genochio, 1964

Mrs J M George Mr J W Gibbon, 1964 Mr P A Gilbert, 1977 Mr R Gilbert, 1975 Mrs K Gill, 1952 Mr A M Glinsman, 2002 Mr N S Goddard, 1983 Goldman Sachs & Company (C R Benson) Mr C C E Golis, 1964 His Honour Judge Michael Goodman, 1949 Mrs S L Gore, 1987 Dr G H Gorrie, 1986 Mr D J Gradwell, 1959 Mr R Graham, 1966 Mr A S Grant, 1946 Mr and Mrs P R Gray Mr D H Gray, 1958 Mr D R Gray, 1954 Mr N D F Gray, 1982 Mr M S Green, 1961 Dr P C Green, 1947 Mr and Mrs R D Green Mr N J Greenwood, 1966 Professor N N Greenwood, 1948 Dr S Guillard, 1998 Mr G R Gunson, 1948 Mr E A Hadfield, 1960 Mr D C Haigh, 1963 Mr C D C Haigh Mrs E Haines Mr J S Hall, 1973 Mr R L Hall, 1961 Mr B Harrison, 1955 Mr C M H Harrison, 1933 Mr S C W Harrison, 1973 Mr J A F Harvey, 1935 Mrs K A Harvey, 1997 Mr J J Hatt, 1957 Mr R G Heaney, 1970 Mr L Heller, 1953 Sir James Hennessy, 1946 Mr N Heroys, 1957 Mr C F Hertzberg, 1942 Mr D R Hester, 1953 Mr A J Hewitt, 1954 Professor R D Hey, 1965 Mr M N Higgin, 1968 Mr P I Higham, 1973 Mr R E Hildrew, 1959 Professor J W Hill, 1968 Mr R J Hill, 1953 Mr T Hilton, 1998 Mr G W Hirst, 1964 Dr G A Hobbs, 1953 Mr S D Hobbs, 1992 Professor M Hobsley, 1945 Mr R W Holland, 1944 Mr G M Hollington, 1972 Ms S A Holmes, 1976 Professor R A Hope Mr R F Horne, 1993 Mr P E Hortor, 2000 Mr H H Houghton, 1959 Mr G P A Howe, 1955 Mr J B Hoyle, 1939 Dr N P Hudd, 1964 Mr G B C Hughes, 1943 Mr D J and Mrs L A Hughes Mr D J Humphrey, 1956 Mr A J L Huns, 1966 Mr A O D Hunt, 2000 Mr L R Hunt, 1959 Mr L Hunt Professor R H F Hunter, 1961 Mr J C Huntington, 1970 Mr K T Huxley-Robinson, 1991 Mr J J Hyde-Smith, 1955 Dr L V Illing, 1939 Mr L H Ingram, 2002 Mr A R Iqbal, 2007 Dr D R Ives, 1973 Ms H Jabado, 1995 Professor G D James, 1964 His Honour Judge Jarman, 1978 Mr J C Jeffery, 1957 Mr J A Jefkins, 1959 Mr J D Jemson, 1951

Mr P G Jenkins, 1964 Mr R L Jenkinson, 1964 Mr F B Johnson, 1941 Mr C G G Johnstone, 1946 Mr M A P Jolly Mr B E Jones, 1957 Dr J H Jones, 1946 Miss M S Jones, 1979 Dr Y Kallis and Ms D Khayatt Mr N E Kempton, 1984 Dr J R Kenn Mr R C Kernick, 1948 Mr M E H Khan, 1983 Mr C T K Khoo, 1966 Rev’d S R Knapton, 1974 Mr A W J Knight, 1952 Mr S R Kverndal QC, 1977 Dr J J Lagowski, 1957 Mr A H Lancashire, 1945 Dr R Lancaster, 1958 Dr S Lang, 1970 Professor J W Lauher, 2005 The Estate of Dr Vivian Law, Lady Shackleton Mr A S Lawson, 1950 Dr C W Lawson, 1973 Dr M J G Lee, 1960 Professor A E Lee Six, 1979 Mr T J Lees, 2000 Mr F Legroux Mr J M Lehman, 1972 Professor S E Lehmberg, 1954 Mr W Leslie, 1947 Mr W F S Letten, 1949 Mr D Lewis, 2000 Mr R G Lewney, 1977 Ms H Lim, 2000 Mr P W Lipscomb OBE, 1959 Ms A S Lisulo, 1997 Mrs J Ljunghammar, 1999 Mr S A Lloyd, 1950 Mrs A B Lomas, 1976 Dr J Lowther, 1983 Mr C C K Lucas, 1959 Mr G M Luckraft, 1977 Mr D R Luker, 1956 Mr P G Lymbery, 1950 Dr A D Macadam, 1951 Ms S J MacKay, 1987 Professor J D MacKenzie, 1956 Dr S Mahapatra, 1968 Her Honour Judge K J Marshall, 1977 Mr D R Martin Mr N Martin, 1956 Professor R H Martin, 1937 Mr M Mason–Jones, 1975 Ms A Mather, 1978 Professor J Mayall, 1957 Mr W G McCosh, 1968 Mr L J C McKinstry, 1982 Miss M McLean, 1986 T F W McMullan, 1989 Mr J W McNeill, 1970 Mr W J Medlicott, 1978 Mr P A Melwani, 1977 Dr D J Miller, 1971 Dr J G Miller, 1988 Professor J M Miller, 1964 Commander T C C Millett, 1955 Dr J S Minshull, 1982 Mr C M Mitchell, 1943 Rev’d G Mitchell, 1957 Mr C M Mitchell, 1943 Mr M J Mobbs, 1965 Dr N J Moberly, 1996 Lt Col W E M Morris, 1938 Dr T J Morrow, 1984 Mr S R Mostyn, 1992 Mr G V R Moulding, 1950 Mr G J Murnane, 1977 Mr F G Murphy, 1955 Mr S D Murphy Nasr Family Gift Dr J A Nelder, 1942 Mr B M Newman, 1966 Ms D Ngara, 1997 Nichol Young Foundation (Rev’d J D Mitson, 1949) Mr K Nicholson, 1968

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Mr K R Nightingale, 1958 Miss H V North, 1994 Mr J P Oakley, 1951 Mr I R Oldcorn, 1961 Ms N H Omar, 1995 Professor M Onyszchuk, 1954 Mr A H A Osborn, 1962 Mr C N Osmond, 1953 Mr E L Owen, 2002 Mr R W Parker, 1948 Mr T J R Parker, 1979 Mrs S A Parkinson in memory of R H Parkinson, 1954 Professor M Parrinello, 2005 Mr A D Pavate, 1960 Mr K D Pavate, 1951 Dr N Peacock, 1943 Ms D J M Pengelly, 1978 Dr J C T Pepperell, 1985 Mr A D Percival, 1951 Mr D F H Percival, 1967 Ms C H Perry, 1996 Mr B S Perryer, 1951 Mr M F Pevsner, 1979 Dr A J V Philp, 1988 Mr R J Piggott, 1986 Mr M R Platt, 1958 Dr N Pohl, 1998 Dr M Pore, 1999 Professor D M Potts, 1954 Mr M Prasad, 1964 Dr C E Preston, 1990 Mr N J Priestnall, 1975 Mr D J Pritchard, 1966 Mr F J Proud, 1986 Mr A J Pudden, 1957 Mr D E Purchase, 1961 Dr M Purshouse, 1970 Ms K M Purver-Rake, 1983 Mr C C J Pyatt, 1971 Dr R D Pyrah, 1955 Mr N J Raeburn, 1962 Mr V K Rao, 1935 Mr A N Ratcliffe, 1973 Mr M S Rawlinson, 1976 Mr M Raymond, 2004 Mr D A Redfern, 1952 Rev’d Canon D F Rees, 1945 Mr R A Rees, 1954 Dr J M Reid, 1957 Mr J Reynolds, 1948 Mr K Reynolds, 1943 Mr L L Rich, 1966 Mr A C Richards, 1974 Miss I L Richards, 1999 Dr J M Richards, 1993 Mr J C P Ridgwell, 1999 Mr S Riley, 1984 Dr C M Roberts in memory of Dr E F Roberts Mr D G M Roberts, 1943 Mr S A Ross, 1958 Dr J H B Roy, 1940 Mr C A Rudd, 1999 Mr B J T Rule, 1992 Mr J M Rushton, 1969 Dr S J E Russell-Wells, 1954 Professor D M Ruthven, 1957 Mr D V Rutter Mr J Ryding, 1977 Mr D S Rymer, 1953 Ms S T Sakhare, 2000 Mr R A Salmon, 1984 Mr D F Sanders, 1955 Mr P D Sanderson, 1952 Mr D R C Sandison, 1972 Mr R L Savory, 1994 Mr C M T Scholtes, 1993 Professor Dr H Schulze, 2000 Dr C D Scoble, 1976 Mr E N Scott, 1949 Mr J F Scott, 1951 Mr M J J Scott, 1993 Mr and Mrs J F Scott, 1951 Mr G W Scott-Giles, 1951 Mr J I Scrymgeour-Wedderburn Professor J D Seddon, 1961 Dr A Segal, 1955 Mr J M Sennett, 1953

Mrs J Sharples Mr A G Sheard, 1975 Mr J A Shepherd, 1949 Mr N E Shepherd, 1949 Mr C E Slater, 1958 Mrs C C M Slaughter, 1984 Mr N J H Small, 1969 Dr R M Small Mr A R B Smith, 1987 Mr I J Smith, 1950 Mr J B Smith, 1949 Dr R C Smith, 1965 Mr P J Somerville, 1959 Mrs A Sourry, 1981 Mrs P M Spencer-Chapman Mr J Statham, 1968 N M Stechman Ms V J Steele, 2000 Mr C Stevens Mr C L Stevenson, 1952 Mr D W Steward, 1976 Mr A H Stone Mr A Strong, 1961 Mr M A Styles, 1970 Mr R J Sutcliffe, 1959 Mr J J Sutton, 2005 Dr K W Symons, 1939 Mr K Tachibana, 1987 Mr M J C Taite, 1931 Mr M H Taylor, 1957 Mr F D F Thoday, 1974 Mr and Mrs O Tholley Mr J Thorne, 1972 Mr R G Thorne, 1957 Mr M A Thorpe, 1956 Dr D C Thrush, 1959 Mr A N G Tibbits, 1962 Mr J F D Tinston, 2001 Dr H Toprakcioglu, 1976 Mr M Townsend, 1960 Mr K D Tuffnell, 1978 Mrs S E Tyrrell Mr Z Tyszkiewicz, 1952 Mr S W Upton, 1965 Mr M B G Van Ert, 1996 Mr J Van Weyenbergh, 1952 The estate of Mrs M E Varley Mr J M Vaughan, 1986 Mr J O Veitch, 1945 Mr R T F Wainwright, 1949 Professor Herman Waldmann, 1963 Mr M A Waldron, 1987 Mr C P H Walker, 1964 Mrs E J Warburton, 1983 Mrs R S Ward, 1985 Mr J P Warlow, 1956 Mr A E D Watson, 1964 Mr P G Watts, 1981 Dr T-H Wei, 1947 Dr N J Westcott, 1974 Mr R D Whitaker, 1964 Dr J E G White, 1957 Mr P H L Wightman, 1961 Mr R S Willbourn, 1972 Mr D L Williams Mrs A J Willmont, 1985 Mr C M W Wilson, 1953 His Honour Judge H Wilson, 1951 Dr M P W Wilson, 1963 Mr D M C Wong, 1983 Mr D M Wong (1983) and Ms K B Lim Dr G H C Wong, 1970 Mr J A Wood, 1954 Mr R T Wood, 1981 Mr K J Woodrow, 1950 Ms M S Woodruff, 1980 Mr Q Wu, 1999 Mrs E J Young, 1976 Mr J T Young, 1975 Mr M J Young, 1990 Baroness Young of Old Scone, 2003 Mr P S J Zatz, 1958 Professor J S Ziegel, 1972 Mrs S J Zijderveld-Darke, 1989

Honouring Donald Green It is very fitting that a Fund in support of Engineering at Sidney is being established in the name of Donald Green and in response to a suggestion from a number of past and present engineering students who hold Donald in such high affection and gratitude for his influence on them.

Donald was born on 16th February 1928 in Manchester. He joined the army straight from Stand Grammar School in 1945 and was commissioned from R.M.A. Sandhurst. He came to Cambridge as a serving officer in 1950 to study the Mechanical Sciences Tripos, from which he graduated with distinction. He also had the good fortune to meet Jenifer, who was a student at Newnham, and they were married on graduating in 1953. Looking at his matriculation photograph in the Departmental records he seems to have barely aged in the following sixty years!

In the army he served with the Royal Engineers in a variety of regimental, staff and research positions and when he retired from the army in 1965 he was appointed to a University Lectureship in Engineering bringing with him a wealth of engineering and other experience.

He was elected a Fellow and College Lecturer in Engineering at Sidney in 1966. He joined Robert Angus as the other engineering Fellow, but sadly Robert died and Donald found himself the sole engineering Fellow and was required to supervise across the whole Tripos with no notice. Donald therefore became the Senior Engineering Fellow almost on election and his influence on engineering at Sidney has been profound. An early intervention was when he observed that the Stephenson Society had become little more than a drinking society, so he hid the minute book and after a suitable fallow period he encouraged its resurrection as the only College-based engineering society. He ensured that it was a student-led society with support only as necessary and he has been a most regular attender and ‘uncle’ to this day and takes great pleasure from its continued success.

from 1980–85 with overall responsibility for the whole undergraduate teaching programme and its evolution. Another inimitable Donald legacy is the Surveying Field Course held in Scotland each long vacation, where students experience much more than the purely technical.

He has always been the ‘gold standard’ for supervisors, with his exemplary clarity of exposition but equally important no student left a supervision unclear about their progress and understanding – be it outstanding or awful. He could also immediately see when a student was having real difficulty coping, and was extraordinarily supportive in the pastoral aspects of Fellowship with many a struggler taken in by Donald and Jenifer in their house in Millington Road.

One word that is easily associated with Donald is ‘duty’ – to ensure that others do their duty while he always serves way beyond the call of duty.

Donald’s service to the College went well beyond engineering and he was Senior Tutor from 1975–85, a period which saw many changes in the College with the most significant being the arrival of women undergraduates in 1976. He was a Senior Tutor completely on top of the details without being buried beneath them, who had a very clear view on what mattered and was uniformly firm but fair. He was most concerned that all students benefit fully from their time at Cambridge, and at Sidney in particular, and was, for example, the Senior Treasurer of the Sidney Boat Club for seven years.

Professor Keith Glover (1976)

Introducing the Donald Green Fund

In the Department of Engineering Donald was equally effective and renowned for his teaching and ability to organise ‘the troops’ – not at all routine in an academic environment!

He served as Secretary of the Faculty Board from 1969–74, at a time when the Department was essentially run on each Monday morning by the Head of Department together with Donald and the Secretary of Department.

On one occasion, when the department was going round in circles on a particular issue and making no headway, at a meeting of the whole faculty in LT0, Donald, as a young lecturer, stood up and said that they were all hopeless and told them what they should do, and carried the day. This was noted and led to him being appointed to the Council of the School of Physical Sciences for two years, perhaps to give the attending Heads of Department similar feedback! On another occasion in the Department, an unfortunate lecturer was subject to an end-of-term near-riot in LT0, and the head porter called Donald for help. When Donald walked in all became quiet and the malefactors departed. He has always had a commanding presence in any arena. While serving as Senior Tutor Donald also became Deputy Head of Department

Message from Richard Chisnall (1970)

Immediate Past President, Stephenson Society On the 15 February 2009 Donald Green celebrated his 80th birthday in a packed College Hall. Donald has held many roles in college, perhaps best known to most of us are his appointments as Director of Studies and as Senior Tutor. It was apparent to all present what a substantial contribution to the education and encouragement of generations of undergraduates in College and the University he has made throughout a period of over 40 years.

Donald became Director of Studies in Engineering in 1966 and officially retired from undergraduate supervisions in 1997 although he continued in this role until well after the turn of the millennium. He is still actively engaged in the Stephenson Society, the College Engineering Society, and is an invaluable support to the secretary and other officers.

He has continued, despite his retirement, to encourage those who may benefit from it, to apply to Sidney to further their education.

Engineering triumph at Sidney Ball

What is obvious is the fondness in which he is held by all who have had the pleasure of being taught by him or whose lives he has touched. Even I, as an electrical engineer, can trace my knowledge of virtual work and constant reference to the ‘data book’ back to Donald’s insistence that I take civil engineering seriously!

You will know, directly or indirectly, that the costs of education are rising and are a factor that can weigh against the choice of reading engineering, especially at Cambridge where fees, currently £3000 p.a. but predicted to rise in 2011, are seen by some as daunting. Equally the College has increasingly to focus its own resources on direct needs and those extra-curricular activities that widen the scope of true education have justifiably to follow-on behind.

A number of engineers have persuaded Donald to allow us to use his name to support the objectives that he himself has been espousing over the years. We propose to name a fund in his honour and look to him for leadership in its policy and direction for as long as wishes and is able to do so.

The intention of the fund, which welcomes both one-off and regular donations, is to support Sidney undergraduate engineering education through an endowed undergraduate tripos prize named in honour of Donald Green, and a flexible fund to support study-releated travel and other aspects of engineering education.

I was delighted to make the first contribution to this fund at the Engineers’ Dinner in 2009 and I strongly commend this appeal to you both for the value it should bring to future undergraduates and also in recognition of the exceptional talent that Donald has shared with us in guiding us through our own undergraduate educations.

Photograph: Donald Green in 1950, at the start of his Cambridge career Drawing: Portrait of Donald Green by Michael Noakes, presented to the College on 23 May 1997

Befriend the Sidney Choir Photographs: David Beckingham

Photographs: Geoff Robinson

The 2010 Sidney Sussex May Ball made headline news around the world when a team of past and current engineering students successfully flooded a “lake” in Hall Court for a romantic night of punting.

The lake fed into a brilliantly-designed Venetian canal that looped through Chapel Court, passing by the Porters’ Lodge on one side and the Chapel on the other.

This programme, the Outreach Programme, is designed to widen the awareness of Sidney as a place of education in its broadest sense.

The Hall Court Lake

The Choir of Sidney Sussex College

As all who have heard a recent concert or Evensong in College will appreciate, the Sidney Choir has undergone a remarkable transformation, and now ranks among the very best mixed-voice choirs in Cambridge.

Engineering student Rob Weatherup and Natural Scientist Adam Lawrance-Owen, advised by alumnus Roland Trim (who first conceived of the idea punting at Sidney) designed and rigorously tested a wooden structure with a double-skinned waterproof lining, that could hold enough water for punting and withstand the jabs of punting poles. The result was a striking and newsworthy success!

The new “Friends of the Sidney Choir” (membership form enclosed) will help to maintain our Choir at the highest level. Friends will receive regular news of Choir activities, an advance copy of the termly music list, reduced ticket prices and priority booking for concerts, exclusive invitations, and discounts on Choir recordings.

Your support will enable us to acquire new music (editions and commissions), plan domestic and international tours and recordings, provide singing lessons and ultimately to purchase a new organ and other essential instruments. We also hope to create a new Chapel administrative post.

Entrance to the Chapel Court canal

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Forthcoming Events

Past Events

Pass it on

THE 2010 THORNELY DINNER

800th GRAND FINALE LUNCH

Congratulations to:

On 16 January 2010, Sidney celebrated the Cambridge 800th Anniversary Year Grand Finale with a lunch preceding the stunning lightshow on the Senate House, Old Schools and other venues in the city.

THE SIDNEY SUSSEX SOCIETY ARTS DINNER

The Sidney Sussex Society would like to invite alumni to an Arts Dinner on 5 February 2011. The evening will include a concert in the Chapel given by the College Choir, who will present a varied programme of 16th- and 17th-century music, close harmony and jazz.

Pre-dinner drinks will be followed by dinner in Hall. Dress will be black tie.

The 2010 Thornely Lecture

The 2010 Thornely Lecture was held on Tuesday 16 March 2010 at at Lovells. The speaker was Her Honour Judge Katharine Marshall (Sidney Sussex, 1977, Natural Sciences/Law), a Circuit Judge . The topic of her very interesting and accessible lecture was: “The Children Act is working.” The College was extremely grateful to Lovells for hosting this lecture and the generous reception that followed it.

The dinner is open to graduates in Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic, Archaeology and Anthropology, Architecture, Art History, Classics, English, Modern and Medieval Languages, Music, Oriental Languages, Philosophy/Moral Sciences, and Theology.

For further information, please check the College website or contact the Membership and Development Office at alumni@sid.cam.ac.uk

CELEBRATION OF THE QUATERCENTENARY OF THE KING JAMES BIBLE

On 27 February 2011 Sidney will be celebrating 400 years of the Authorized Version as a cornerstone of worship and culture in the English-speaking world, and as a central part of the College’s early history. The day will bring together distinguished speakers addressing the significance and impact of the text and the role played by Sidney’s first and third Masters in its creation, as well as launching an exhibition of related treasures from the College Archive, and will be accompanied by readings from the Bible in languages ancient and modern. The event will be followed by a Grand Evensong. A booking form is attached.

Sidney Sussex Society Christmas Reception

Last year, we held a well attended and enjoyable Christmas Party at the Arts Club.

To demonstrate our lack of bias, this year we will be at the Royal Society, which was founded 350 years ago “to promote and advance the understanding of science, mathematics, engineering, technology and medicine.” The Reception (we are not allowed to call it a party) will be on Monday 6th December from 6.30 pm at 6–9 The Master with author Richard Humphreys at the 2009 Christmas Party Carlton Terrace, London, SW1Y 5AG. This is a centrally located Grade 1 listed building (designed by John Nash) and is well served by public transport; so, Sidney contemporaries will be able to meet for a drink beforehand or for supper afterwards.

Professor Dashwood introduces the 2010 Thornely Lecturer, Her Honour Judge Katharine Marshall

The 2010 Sidney Sussex Society Dinner, With a Lecture by the Master

On 24 April, 2010, the Master gave a lecture to members of the Sidney Sussex Society about his project in Herculaneum. The talk was well-attended and enthusiasticallyreceived. Afterwards alumni joined the Master and other members of College for an excellent dinner in Hall.

We are at the planning stage and one of our themes will be the strong scientific reputation of Sidney up to the present day. As in previous years, we are very keen to keep ticket prices down, particularly for recent graduates, and we would greatly appreciate any individual contributions towards the costs. Regrettably we will not be issuing certificates or blue plaques for the house(s) of any such benefactors, nor will they be given a special badge to wear at the Reception. However, they will be able to toast themselves with the wine that they have subsidised!

THE CENTENARY DINNER OF THE CONFRATERNITAS HISTORICA

If you are able to support us with the costs please contact the organisers, Wendy Hedley (wah21@sid.cam.ac.uk) and/or Mike Styles (michael.styles2@btinternet.com) as it will help us enormously with our planning and pricing.

On 1 May 2010, the Confraternitas Historica held a special celebratory banquet to mark 100 years since the founding of the Society in 1910.

Visiting Cromwell’s House

In June, 2010, the Sidney Sussex Society visited Oliver Cromwell’s recently restored house in Ely. Cromwell was a resident of Ely for ten years from 1636, having inherited from his uncle, Sir Thomas Seward both property and the position of Tithe Collector for Ely Cathedral. The house shows how Cromwell and his family would have lived, and offers special exhibitions on the Civil War and the Fens.

Emeritus Professor John W. Allen (1946) who has been awarded the degree of D.Sc. honoris causa by the University of St. Andrews.

David J Mabberley (1970) of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, who has been awarded the IAPT’s prestigious Engler Medal in Silver for the most outstanding publication in monographic or floristic systematic botany published in 2007 or 2008. The medal was awarded for the third edition of his Plantbookpublished on 1 May 2008

by Cambridge University Press.

Professor Anthony Bebbington (1981) who in 2009 was elected to the US National Academy of Sciences.

He is currently at the University of Manchester.

Chris Lipscomb (1995) for competing in a triathlon to support the charity Born Too Soon, which raises money to purchase much needed equipment for the neonatal unit at Kingston Hospital, and to support the parents of pre-term babies. In June, he cycled 120km from Kingston Hospital to Portsmouth Harbour, swam 5km across the Solent dodging boats in one of Europe’s busiest shipping lanes and then ran 5km to a village called Seaview on the Isle of Wight. Support and view photos at http://www.justgiving.com/ richmondtoseaview.

Nina von Groote-Lukas (1988) and her husband Philipp Lukas on the birth of their daughter Wilhelmina Johanna Fabia on 2 October 2009, a sister for Emilia and Cosima.

Sarah Cochrane (2002) on her recent wedding to Hughes Hall alumnus Paul Hunter (2002).

Victoria Mann (2003) who was married to Jack May on 1 May 2009 in Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford.

If any College Member is willing to offer advice or assistance to fellow College Members and would like to publish details in Pheon, please write to the Editor with the relevant information.

The Honourable Lord Asa Briggs speaking at the Confrat

Pheon aims to keep Members of Sidney Sussex informed about their College and about each other.

Articles and photographs will be most welcome; they should be sent to: The Editor, Pheon Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge CB2 3HU Tel: 01223-338864 Fax: 01223-338884 Email: alumni@sid.cam.ac.uk

In Cromwell’s House

Guests at the Confrat Dinner

4

Printed on 9 lives 55% Recycled Silk (FSC) Produced with 55% recycled fibre from both pre- and post-consumer sources, together with 45% virgin ECF fibre from sustainable forests.

All Sidney lawyers and law graduates are warmly invited to join Law Fellows and students for the annual John Thornely Dinner on Saturday 16 October 2010 (booking form enclosed.)

T h e S i d n e y S u ss e x N e w s l e tt e r

Sidney: a view from Rome Photograph: Stephen Bond

disciplines which constitute its scholars and residents: on the one hand, academics, normally at postgraduate level, in the many disciplines for which Rome and Italy supply essential materials (archaeologists, historians, specialists in ancient, medieval, renaissance and modern and contemporary history, culture, art and architecture), and on the other, fine artists, whether painters, sculptors, photographers, mixed media or conceptual, and architects. The excitement and reward of the School lies in the interaction between these varied specialists, living and eating together for up to a year: the challenge for the Director is to ensure a happy crew and foster interactions and crossovers.

Over the last decade, we were able to bring in significant improvements in the physical environment, modernizing the fabric and services, and adding new facilities, especially a new lecture theatre and a library extension. Therein lay a challenge both of fundraising and of organization. Finding support for new scholarships was an essential part of increasing the range and diversity of the resident scholars. But the School also lives on its projects, and new initiatives in the Tiber Valley, in the imperial port of Rome, in Pompeii and in Herculaneum generated not only new results, but a focus of interest for the whole community. Only in the context of this exceptional institution could a conservation project on an ancient city (Herculaneum) inspire an artist to project a film of laundry drying in the streets of the modern city upon the ancient walls.

R

Andrew Wallace-Hadrill OBE, Master of Sidney Sussex College

ome is notoriously an impossible place for anyone to leave, though a summer during which temperatures rarely dropped below the 90s and mosquitoes flourished in swarms helped to remind us of the less romantic side of the eternal city, and speed our departure.

Sidney Sussex College, however, is an exceptionally attractive place in which to arrive, and despite the gloomy prognostications of our Italian friends about the British weather, the sun has shone every day since Jo and I landed, and the College gardens, spread beneath the windows of the Master’s Lodge, suffused with autumnal colours such as are never seen in the Borghese Gardens, challenge any spot on earth for beauty and tranquillity. Cambridge was the scene of the first phase of our married life, and has remained the home of many of our oldest friends. Although we were both Oxford graduates, we enjoyed our earlier move to Magdalene College, where for seven years I directed studies in Classics.

Sidney Sussex, not unlike Magdalene, has historical depth, beautiful, compact grounds and strong sense of community. In that sense it feels already very familiar. However, the spirit and warmth of Sidney are unique; I cannot think of many Cambridge or Oxford Colleges that could rival Sidney for friendliness.

Jo and I have come to Sidney from Rome, where we spent fourteen happy years at the British School. Like Sidney, the School is one of those extraordinary British institutions that exist, and survive, against all the odds, more by the passion and enthusiasm of those who love it than by the adequacy of any public support behind it. One of the unique cluster of twenty-two foreign research institutes in Rome, it receives only a tiny fraction of the government funding that its French or German equivalents enjoy. Founded in 1901, it has been housed since 1916 in a magnificent building designed by Edwin Lutyens on the edge of the Borghese Gardens, one that started its life as a pavilion for the Great Exhibition of 1911. Its character is determined by the unusual, and exceptionally fruitful, combination of

Sidney has impressed me with more than its friendliness. One of the somewhat awesome privileges of the Master is custody of the location of Cromwell’s head. Several Cambridge Colleges can boast iconic figures among their alumni – Newton at Trinity, Milton at Christ’s, Pepys at Magdalene. Oliver Cromwell is a more controversial figure than any of these, and his reputation has been fiercely debated ever since his death: yet there is no doubt that he was one of those gigantic figures who have a transformational effect on the world around them. To read his letters and speeches, as I have done over recent months, is to encounter an extraordinary figure – no mere general or religious zealot, but a thinker of real passion. ‘The mind is the man’ is his apophthegm, and to encounter him is to meet a great mind.

Sidney is far from being content to coast on the distinction of its past reputation. In recent decades it has shown itself willing to move forward, to the front of the pack. In electing Sandra Dawson ten years ago, the College showed the lead among mixed colleges in recognising the leading role of women. Sandra has set the highest standards, and with conspicuous success. The College can boast an unusually impressive team of women Fellows, including three in Engineering, with Professor Dame Anne Dowling setting an outstanding model. It has also a record in widening access of which to be proud, admitting one of the largest cohorts in Cambridge from State schools. At the same time, it can boast what is arguably the best kitchen in Cambridge, and a Choir that is pioneering the revival of renaissance music.

At the end of our first week in the Master’s Lodge, struggling still to emerge from beneath the 413 numbered cardboard boxes and packages brought over from Rome, caught in a cross-traffic of decorators, maintenance men, IT specialists and College porters struggling manfully to save the College’s ancestral portraits from imminent redecoration, but soothed all the while by the kind attentions of Jane the Master’s housekeeper and Kay, the Master’s PA, and the cheerful supportiveness of all members of the College staff, I cannot help reflecting simultaneously on what a big transition it is from Rome to Cambridge, and how lucky I have been in my experiences at both ends.

I look forward intensely to the next decade, and to ensuring that Sidney reaches new heights, continuing to achieve the highest standards in a friendly atmosphere.

Andrew Wallace-Hadrill, Master

— Sidney Sussex Celebrates 800 Years — 1

25

ISSUE TWENTY-FIVE Autumn 2009

CONTENTS Sidney’s Bad Boys.. ................................ 2 Sidney Sussex College: A History. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

A Christmas Carol.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Celebrating the 800 th Anniversary Year.. . . . . . 3

The Sidney Sussex Society.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Sidney Sussex and the King James Bible.. . . . . 3

Forthcoming Events.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Members’ Facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Remembering Mero Manzano.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

The Simon and Jill Campbell Foundation.. . . 4

Only Connect.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Sidney’s Hall Staff compete again.. . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Pass it On.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

2009 – 2010 Diary Dates 7 December 2009

Sidney Sussex Society Christmas Party, at the Arts Club, Mayfair

16 January 2010

800th Anniversary “Grand Finale” lunch in Hall

6 February 2010

Geographers’ & Geologists’ Lecture & Dinner

February 2010

The John Thornely Lecture

24 April 2010

Sidney Sussex Society Dinner, with Lecture by the Master

1 May 2010

Confraternitas Historica Centenary Dinner

8 May 2010

1596 Foundation Dinner

15 May 2010

MA Graduation dinner for 2003 matriculands

June 2010

Sidney Sussex Society visit to Cromwell’s House, Ely: tour and dinner.

12 September 2010

Reunion garden party for the matriculands of 1990, 1980, 1970, 1960 & all earlier years.

Commemoration of Benefactors Dates for 2009 – 2014 Forthcoming dinners

For those who matriculated in:

26 June 2010

1951 – 1955 (inclusive)

25 September 2010

1956 – 1960 (inclusive)

25 June 2011

1989 – 1991 (inclusive)

24 September 2011

1980 – 1982 (inclusive)

30 June 2012

1961 – 1962, 1964, 1950 & older

29 September 2012

2001 – 2003 inclusive

29 June 2013

1983 – 1985 inclusive

28 September 2013

1974 – 1976 inclusive

June 2014

1967 – 1970 inclusive

September 2014

1977 – 1979 inclusive

Forthcoming events are posted on the Sidney website at www.sid.cam.ac.uk/alumni

‘Outragious Insolences’: Sidney’s Bad Boys An excerpt from Sidney Sussex: A History by Richard Humphreys

Page of admonishments from Acta Collegii, 1678

T

he nightclimbers and drug takers of the 1960s had a notable ancestry. From its foundation, Sidney, like all Cambridge colleges, was a place of education and discipline. Its purpose was not only to instill knowledge and understanding but to reform manners. Most boys would go on to become priests, when their pastoral duties would be far more ‘directive’ than they are now, and they needed to learn for themselves the pitfalls of improper conduct before encouraging others to avoid them. Many early 17thcentury parents favoured Sidney for its stern approach to student discipline. Tutors could access all rooms to ensure the best behaviour and miscreants could be fined, deprived of meals, made to read out confessions in Latin, or expelled. The youngest ones, often no more than 14, could even be flogged in the Hall in front of their peers. The early masters, such as James Montague and Samuel Ward, were renowned for their firm control over undergraduates. Following the Civil War and republic, however, Sidney, following trends in wider society, became a place of much looser morals and discipline. The seemingly weak master, Richard Minshull, struggled to control his often drunken, violent, whoring young men, in particular during the 1670s, as this passage shows.

When we were met I declar’d unto them the cause of my calling them, which was this. A discovery was made to me of a robbery that was committed in Sr [Sophister] Charles Pym’s chamber by Thornton and Huggins: Woodall (as he confessed to his Tutor) knew of the same. Thornton also by the confession

the Dean in breaking his Windowes with Brick-batts’ and ‘publickly defied all the censures of the Society by throwing off his gown’. Unlike his comrade, Burgess actually took his BA in 1668 – 9.

of Huggins told Berry that Thornton had been with him severall times to attempt the same on the Mr; but he would never consent to him nor for the world endeavour it. Likewise Berry and Taylor senior were told by Avis the Joyner last week that Thornton and Woodall had been with him now and then above a quarter of a yeare to assist them in the same, but he denied them; whereupon (as Woodall confessed to his Tutor) Thornton and Woodall endeavoured the breaking open of my doore and cut the holes which were found there, and Woodall told them since that Thornton gave him money to buy the instrument with which they did it. – Acta Collegii, January 1681

In the mid- to late-1670s the situation seems to have got out of control, and not only among students. Minshull wrote in 1674 that ‘William Beale our Cooke had an admonition given by me in the Hall after dinner before the Society for going away without leave and staying eleven dayes wandring whither we know not’. Beale was at it again soon after for ‘misbehaving in ye Mill Inne’, and again in 1676. In 1681 he ‘had a publicke and his last admonition for his intolerable extravagancies’, and in 1683 he was given ‘another ultimate admonition’. Presumably this really was his last: either Minshull was a very weak man, or Beale was a very fine cook.

By 1680 Sidney was not alone in seeing a great collapse of manners and discipline during a period notorious for its licentious and chaotic social mores. Nevertheless, the College, formerly known as a great centre of moral rectitude and sober behaviour, was under intense pressure from many of its members, both undergraduates and fellows.

Daniel Naylor, later a vicar at Exton, was one of a number admonished or deprived of their fellowships. Naylor, ‘having been diverse times statutably admonished and not reforming his manners’, was expelled in 1663 for ‘ill manners’.

Students easily matched Beale’s excesses.

The year of the Popish Plot, 1678, proved especially troublesome. In 1677, Thomas Walker, Richard Payton and Francis Browne had been admonished for ‘being chief sticklers in an assault made upon ye B.A.s in the buttries’. The Londoner Browne got his BA shortly after and became a doctor.

Walker was admonished again in 1678 for drunkenness and ‘telling lies to the Dean’.

He was later elected a Sidney Fellow and became a rector in Buckinghamshire. Payton, son of a Berkshire yeoman, was obviously a major problem, facing admonition in 1678 for ‘drunkenness, intolerable Impudence, making a disturbance in the Town, coming in after twelve o’clock and then making a disturbance in the Colledge, and very seldom in his chamber when the Dean visited’. He got his BA that year, however, and became a priest.

In 1669 there is a long minute in the Order Book detailing the severe problems posed by a dangerously unruly graduate: ‘April 15th, 1669. Memorandum. That William Butler Bach: Arts of the Second Year and Schollar of Mr. Peter Blundell’s foundation having been divers times statutably admonished and not reforming his ill manners and having on the day of the date hereof for high misdemeanours then committed been summon’d to appear before the Master and Fellowes and refusing to come, and with his sword and pistol threatening some and assaulting others, was by the unanimous consent of the Master and Fellowes deprived of his Schollarship and expelled the Colledge.’

Matthew Munday, son of a Devon clothier and a Blundell’s pensioner, was a notable miscreant. He excelled himself in the same year ‘at ye Dolphin where he distempered himself by excessive drinking and came not into ye Coll. till 12 of ye Clock at night to ye disturbance of ye same: as also yt ye next night he was at ye same place till nine of ye clock and came into ye Coll. distempered and did swear divers oaths yt were publickly heard; for which fault he was solemnly admonished by ye Master in the

Butler, whose father had been at Sidney in the 1620s, was supported by the Yorkshireman John Burgess, who expressed his solidarity with his fellow student in memorable fashion.

He ‘distempered himself with drinks and committed outrageous insolences against

Sidney Sussex College: A History

presence of the sen: fellow and Dean; and ordered at the same time to read a publick Recantation in the Hall’. This humiliation did not prevent Munday from getting drunk and ‘assaulting Wilson, senr Sophister of the Coll., and other misdemeanours’, nor, three months later, throwing a stone ‘which came in at Mr. Alston’s window and was likely to have done him a mischief’. In assaulting the unfortunate Wilson, Munday was assisted by the future Suffolk rector Henry Bee, the Rutland-born sizar John Allen, the 20-yearold Theodore Parker, previously thrown out of Balliol, Oxford, and another Blundell’s boy, Joseph Pridham. Munday took his BA the next year, followed that with an MA and became a rector in Somerset.

At ‘The Dolphin’ the Somerset yeoman’s son Charles Creed distempered himself in December 1677, as did the Yorkshireman Thomas Myers the same night. However, such drunken larks paled into insignificance when compared with a dastardly attempt to break into the Master’s Lodge by John Huggins, a London shoemaker’s son, the Yorkshireman Robert Thornton and the farmer’s son John Woodall in January 1681.

Minshull gave a detailed account of the emergency College meeting in the Lodge to discuss the matter with the fellows. ‘Upon this information the Society proceeded to the expulsion of Huggins, Thornton and Woodall, and expell’d they were the day above written by unanimous consent’. Thornton, a pensioner, took an MA at University College, Oxford, became a Fellow of Magdalen and was a naval chaplain. The sizars Huggins and Woodall are not heard of again.

A fascinating further postscript to this story is that Sir Charles Pym, whose room the three villains first broke into, was the grandson of the great parliamentarian John Pym, and was killed by a rapier thrust in a brawl in the Swan Tavern on Fish Street Hill, London in 1688, just before the Glorious Revolution. The trial of his three attackers (no Sidney connections as far as we know) at the Old Bailey was a sensational story in its time, the jury being instructed by the judge to deliver a verdict of manslaughter during what he called ‘an ungoverned storm’.

A Christmas Carol A selection of traditional Victorian Christmas carols sung by The Sidney Sussex Choir with passages from Charles Dickens’ A CHRISTMAS CAROL, read by Sir Gabriel Horn, former Master of the College.

This December, we will publish the first fully illustrated history of Sidney Sussex College from its Elizabethan foundation to the present day. Richard Humphreys, an alumnus of Sidney and an enthusiast for all aspects of its history, has unearthed fascinating facts, people and connections that present the life of an extraordinary community through four hundred years of English history.

The book brings to life the people of Sidney Sussex, from the pious and much-maligned Lady Frances Sidney and the young Oliver Cromwell, to the Nobel Prizewinners and Bletchley Park code breakers of the recent past.

Thoroughly researched, immensely readable and beautifully illustrated and designed, this lively account of Sidney Sussex College is published in 2009, the 800th anniversary of the founding of the University, to mark Sidney’s remarkable role in the history of Cambridge.

“The performances glow, as does one’s spirit after hearing them ... they sing with as much sensitivity and soul as many more famous rivals.”

– The Gramophone (CD of the Month & Editor’s Choice), Thomas Tomkins ‘These Distracted Times’

Please use the enclosed order form to order copies of the new CD, A Christmas Carol (available now) and to preorder Sidney Sussex College: A History. Copies of the book will be mailed to all purchasers and sponsors in December, 2009.

— Sidney Sussex Celebrates 800 Years — 2

Sidney Sussex celebrates the 800th anniversary of the founding of Cambridge University GENEVA IN NICE

Sidney Sussex College and the 1611 King James Bible

THE SIDNEY SUSSEX SOCIETY VISIT TO PENSHURST PLACE On 12 September 2009, the Sidney Sussex Society enjoyed a beautiful day at Penshurst Place in Kent, seat of the Sidney family since 1552 and home to the Vistor of Sidney Sussex, Philip Sidney, Viscount De L’Isle and his family. Alumni joined the Viscount and Viscountess De L’Isle and the Master and Mrs Wallace-Hadrill for a fascinating tour and delicious lunch.

Photos by Richard Phillips (1966)

The Sidney Club of Geneva celebrated the University’s 800th Anniversary with a weekend visit to Nice. Brilliantly organised by Elisa Aurelia Warbington (née Gatto, 1997), a group of members assembled at the Hotel Le Meurice, just off the Promeade des Anglais on 18 September. Between a succession of serious meals – and monsoon-like showers – they set out to establish the College’s links with the Côte d’Azur during La Belle Epoque, or indeed at any other time. Their researches extended to the city’s flower market, the Chagall and Matisse museums, the medieval villages of St Paul de Vence and Eze, the Maeght Fondation and the Musée Masséna.

Finally, over possibly the most expensive cocktail in the western world at the Hotel Negresco (and pending further research by our historian Richard Humphreys to whom the matter has been referred) they were forced to the conclusion that theirs was most probably the first link to be forged between the College and Nice. Oliver Cromwell might not have approved, but let us hope it is not the last.

The Sidney Sussex Society lunching at Penshurst Place

THE SIDNEY SUSSEX 800 ARTS FESTIVAL On 20 June 2009, alumni came back to Sidney for the 800 Arts Festival, an afternoon and evening of music, drama, food and drink in the College gardens. Hosted and organised by the student music and drama societies, the day featured wonderful performances.

Alumni enjoying student performances at the 800 Arts Festival

BRINGING SIDNEY TO CALIFORNIA Just a week after performing in the 800 Arts Festival, members of the Sidney Choir flew to California, where they sang to large and enthusiastic audiences at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco, Stanford University’s Memorial Church, the Old Missions at San Luis Obispo and other concert venues. Fittingly, in the 800th anniversary year, one audience numbered nearly 800 people!

The Sidney Choir rehearsing in California.

Forthcoming Events (for further information, see enclosed booking forms) for alumni in a variety of professions to meet and talk to recent graduates and the current Directors of Studies in Geography.

social and cultural history and directs the Herculaneum Conservation Project.

Guests will enjoy pre-dinner drinks in the Audit Room, a 4-course dinner with wine, and a nightcap in the Senior Combination Room. Price and further details to be announced.

800 Grand Finale Lunch th

Christmas Party and Book Launch

7 December 2009

At 6:30 on Monday 7 December, the Sidney Sussex Society will be hosting a Christmas party at a new venue, the Arts Club in Mayfair, London.

16 January 2010

Cambridge will celebrate its 800th Anniversary Year Grand Finale on the weekend of 16/17 January.

To help Sidney alumni enjoy the festivities, we’ll be holding an alumni lunch in Hall on Saturday 16 January.

We will be launching the new book: Sidney Sussex College: A History, written

by Richard Humphreys. Come celebrate the 800th anniversary year with us!

In the evening, there will be a stunning lightshow on the Senate House, Old Schools and other venues in the city – other weekend events are still under wraps...

All Sidney alumni and their guests are very welcome.

Sidney Sussex Society Dinner, with a Lecture by the Master, Andrew Wallace-Hadrill

Geologists’ and Geographers’ Dinner

6 February 2010

On 6 February 2010, Sidney Sussex will hold its second dinner for alumni in Geography and Geology. The evening will include a talk, and many opportunities

The Centenary Dinner of the Confraternitas Historica

1 May 2010

On 1 May 2010, the Confraternitas Historica will hold a special celebratory banquet to mark 100 years since the founding of the Society in 1910. To ensure that you receive an invitation please send us your most up-todate postal and email addresses.

Choral Services Sidney members and their families and friends are warmly invited to attend all regular Choral Services performed in the Sidney Chapel during the academic year.

The full schedule of Evensong and Latin Vespers and Communion Services for 2009-2010 is online at: http://www.sid.cam.ac.uk/life/chapel/choir/

24 April 2010

To welcome Andrew Wallace-Hadrill and his wife Jo to Sidney, the Sidney Sussex Society is delighted to invite all Sidney Members and their guests to a special dinner in College. The evening will include a talk by the Master, who is an expert on Roman

— Sidney Sussex Celebrates 800 Years — 3

We are fast approaching the fourhundredth anniversary of the most influential book in our language: the Authorised Version of the Bible. First published in 1611, the ‘King James’ (as it is widely known) has proved to be not only a source of religious and moral teaching but also an enduring work of literature that has rooted itself in the hearts and memories of English-speaking people during four centuries. This great book has helped to determine the character of our language as written and spoken today. It has exerted a profound influence upon literature and music. In spite of historic differences in matters of religion, it has for nearly four centuries provided a linguistic and cultural bond between Britain and the United States. The ‘King James’ has helped to shape the British establishment, yet it has also given a voice to the poor and the radical. It has united people who were otherwise divided. Even today, when it has begun to fall out of general use, it remains the best-known and most quotable version of scripture in the English tongue.

The first Master of Sidney Sussex College, James Montagu, and the third Master, Montagu’s protégé Samuel Ward, were both members of the committees that laboured for nine years to produce the Authorised Version. They may well have been responsible for phrases familiar to anyone who speaks the English language, and they certainly participated in the creation of a poetic and economical prose style, without which the beauty and flexibility of later English would be unimaginable.

In 2011 there will be national celebrations for the four-hundredth anniversary of the book’s publication.

Parliament and Westminster Abbey (where much of the work of translation was done) have together founded the 2011 Trust to co-ordinate these events. Sidney Sussex will take part in the national effort with a distinctive celebration focusing on our own close connection to the Authorised Version of the Bible. We have started planning a conference on the ‘King James’ and its influence, to be held in College on 23 February 2011, the birthday of one of the greatest of all Anglicans, the poet and priest George Herbert. There will be four distinguished speakers and the day will end with a Sung Eucharist to be addressed by the Rt. Rev. Tom Wright, Bishop of Durham. To add splendour to our reflections, the College Choir will perform famous musical settings of texts from the book we shall be celebrating.

We are hoping to attract support and sponsorship for this event from any alumni or friends of the College with an interest in Sidney’s history or the King James Bible. Although 2011 is still some time off, we hope you will save the date!

Clive Wilmer, Fellow in English

This term, we have opened up for alumni as well as Fellows the newly-renovated “New Parlour” on K staircase in Cloister Court, where there are comfortable chairs, newspapers, washrooms and a coffee machine. If you are visiting College, please let us know if you would like to use this room; the Porters’ will be happy to admit you. After lunch, you will find Sidney Fellows reading and talking; at other times of day the room is likely to be empty.

We are happy to support the formation of smaller regional and special interest alumni groups. Currently, the Boat Club Association takes part in rowing events and supports the student society. The US-based Sidney Sussex Foundation has hosted dinners in New York, while the Sidney Club of Geneva has an active programme of events and welcomes new members.

We are adding a new alumni reunion to our schedule of events. From 2010, we will be inviting alumni back to College for a garden party, on the 20th, 30th, 40th, 50th and all subsequent anniversaries of their year of matriculation. The first such event (listed on the front page of Pheon) will be on 12 September 2010, for those who matriculated in 1990, 1980, 1970, 1960 and all earlier years. Partners are welcome, numbers permitting.

Sidney has three single guest-rooms and two double guest-rooms available for alumni visiting Cambridge. You may book a room with the Housekeeping Manager, Mrs Karolyn Duke (housekeeper@sid.cam. ac.uk, Tel. +44 (0)1223 338880) or online, through the new University Rooms website: http://www.cambridgerooms.co.uk.

Your relationship with Sidney can be as important and rewarding as you would like it to be. We hope you will take advantage of some of the other opportunities listed below.

Sidney Reunions We will invite you back to a Sidney Reunion at least once every ten years, with the rest of your year group. If you or a Sidney friend has not been receiving Pheon or the College Annual, please send the Membership and Development Office your correct mailing address! Every year, in every class there are a few Sidney members we can’t get in touch with to invite.

You are welcome to organize your own Sidney reunion. It is easy and less expensive than you may imagine to hold a private dinner or event in College. If you would like to come back to Sidney with a group of friends, our Conference and Events Manager, Mrs. Marianne Oyler (conference@sid. cam.ac.uk, Tel. +44 (0)1223 338850) will be able to guide you through the booking process and suggest a menu that fits your budget. She can also assist with weddings, garden parties and other private events.

Other Alumni Gatherings All Sidney alumni are members of the Sidney Sussex Society, which organises a number of events each year, including: • Dinners in College and in London • Special trips and visits (most recently to Penshurst Place in Kent) • An annual Christmas Party in London • Subject dinners, for those subjects that, unlike Law, History and Engineering, do not have their own College societies • MA graduation dinners • Informal get-togethers for younger Sidney Members in London.

Visiting and Dining at High Table

Pass it on

In the donor list that appeared in the last issue of Pheon, we failed to properly acknowledge one of Sidney’s Mrs Jill Campbell and most significant Dr Simon Campbell CBE benefactors, The Simon and Jill Campbell Foundation, which provides generous bursaries for students from state schools across the UK who have gained admission to Sidney Sussex to study natural sciences or mathematics.

Dr Eric W. Brooman (Metallurgy postgraduate, 1963), who in 2008, received the highest scientific honour given by the National Association for Surface Finishing: its Scientific Achievement Award. As a result, he presented the William Blum Lecture on: Nickel in Surface Finishing: A Glorious Past – an Uncertain Future – at the SUR/FIN 2009 International Conference and Exhibition in Lousville, Kentucky, USA on 15 June, 2009.

These access bursaries were among the first at Sidney to offer significant financial help to students with limited financial resources. In the six years since the establishment of this fund at Sidney and at Christ’s College Cambridge, many young scientists and mathematicians have been given the best possible start in life.

Alumni who hold an MA or equivalent status have the right to dine at High Table free of charge three times a year on a Wednesday or Sunday during Full Term.

To sign in, please contact the Human Resources Manager, Mrs Diana Stanton (dgs34@cam.ac.uk, Tel. +44 (0)1223 338814).

We are deeply grateful to Jill and Simon Campbell for the support they continue to give to students at Sidney Sussex.

Researching Sidney Ancestors

Front of House

If you are researching a relative who went to Sidney, the College Archivist, Nicholas Rogers (archivist@sid.cam.ac.uk, Tel. 01223 338824) will be happy to help. It is also possible to make an appointment to view a book or manuscript in the Archive.

This November, for the second time, Sidney Sussex will enter a “Front of House” team in the Cambridge Culinary Competition, in which the chefs and Hall staff of the Cambridge Colleges have a chance to demonstrate their skills.

Last year, every member of Sidney’s team, coached by Senior Hall Manager, Solly Cham, received a gold medal.

Using Library and Computing Facilities Alumni are welcome to use the Richard Powell Library by contacting the Librarian, Mr Stewart Tiley (librarian@sid.cam. ac.uk, Tel. +44 (0)1223 338852) To use the Computer Suite, please contact the I.T. Manager, Patrick Gates (computer@ sid.cam.ac.uk, Tel. +44 1223 339520).

Competitors must set a table with four covers in 20 minutes, demonstrating a full knowledge of the menu, dishes and selected wines. This year’s theme will be Cambridge University at 800, and competitors will need to produce a themed centre piece for the table.

Find Us Online Additional information and networking opportunities for Sidney alumni are available:

Sidney’s team is excited at the prospect of competing again. As Dining Hall Assistant Lucy Tarrant says, “The competition is a lot larger than last year, so it will be even more of a challenge”

• On the College website: www.sid.cam.ac.uk • On Facebook (Sidney Sussex Alumni) • On Twitter: http://twitter.com/SidneySussex • On LinkedIn: Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge Alumni University Benefits

Congratulations to:

Jonathan McLeod (1991) and Alice McLeod (nee Coe, 1991) on the birth of their son Montgomery on 29 May 2009, brother to Archie, Billy and Herbie.

Professor Paul Torgerson (Medical and Natural Sciences, 1980), who has recently been appointed to the “Lehrstuhl” of Veterinary Epidemiology at the University of Zurich, Vetsuisse Faculty.

His Professorship in Zurich follows a career as a veterinarian and researcher.

Professor Dame Ann Dowling, who has been named Head of the Cambridge University Department of Engineering.

She takes over the role from another Sidney Sussex Engineer, Professor Keith Glover.

Only Connect Sidney researcher Dr Paul Beecher became a household face and name this summer when he and two colleagues from Dr Paul Beecher the Cambridge University Quiz Society made it to the final of the BBC Four quiz show, “Only Connect,” which tests not only knowledge but patience and lateral thinking.

Paul is a research engineer based at the new Nokia Research Centre in West Cambridge, where he works to develop nanotechnologies for mobile communications. Cambridge University is a UK leader in nanotechnology research.

Those interested in watching clips of Paul’s match, or following the exploits of the Cambridge University Quiz Society will enjoy this website:

Cambridge University offers additional alumni benefits, including: • Email forwarding • Careers Service advice • The alumni membership card giving you free entrance to all Colleges, and membership of the University Centre.

• Additional copies of your degree certificate or transcript

www.srcf.ucam.org/~quizsoc/index.html Sidney’s Front of House team after its 2008 win, with coach Solly Cham (bottom left).

Don’t forget to let us know when you move house, or change your telephone number or email address!

Remembering Mero Manzano

The Simon and Jill Campbell Foundation

Pheon aims to keep Members of Sidney Sussex informed about their College and about each other. Articles and photographs will be most welcome; they should be sent to:

(1941 – 2009)

All who have attended or visited Sidney Sussex in the past will be saddened to learn of the death of Fellows’ Butler Baldomero Manzano, known as “Mero.”

Zoe Swenson-Wright, Assistant Editor, Pheon Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge CB2 3HU Tel: 01223-338864 Fax: 01223-338884 Email: alumni@sid.cam.ac.uk

Born in Spain, Mero was a well-travelled and cultured man: a linguist, and an expert in wines. He served and assisted many generations of Sidney Fellows, students and staff and did a great deal to keep the College running smoothly and happily.

He is survived by his wife Ann and daughter Natalie, a large family and friends around the world as well as at Sidney.

— Sidney Sussex Celebrates 800 Years — 4

If any College Member is willing to offer advice or assistance to fellow College Members and would like to publish details in Pheon, please write to the Assistant Editor with the relevant information.

Printed on 9 lives 55% Recycled Silk (FSC) Produced with 55% recycled fibre from both pre- and post-consumer sources, together with 45% virgin ECF fibre from sustainable forests.

Members’ Facilities

THE SIDNEY SUSSEX NEWSLETTER

And still she governs with the mildest sway John Keats, Sleep and Poetry (1817)

Photograph: Caroline Penn

Wherever you are in the world on 19th August, 2009, pause for a moment and think of Sidney. On that day, Þxed by the terms of the College Statutes, the Mastership of Professor Dame Sandra Dawson will end after ten years whose many successes crowd into the mind.

Professor Dame Sandra Dawson, Master of Sidney Sussex College 1999–2009 The Fellowship of the College grew considerably, and there were times when Sidney outperformed all other colleges of the University in certain subjects, including Natural Sciences, History and English. Many new student bursaries were endowed, contacts with alumni and alumnae throughout the world were enhanced, and the 1596 Foundation, with the Master as the ex ofÞcio President, became an established part of College life. The Fellows were mindful of such achievements, and of the need to carry them forward when, last Michaelmas Term, they elected as their twenty-sixth Master Professor Andrew Wallace-Hadrill.

Although Sandra’s tenure is by no means over, this issue of Pheon offers an opportunity to glance brießy back and forth through the years. By careful planning and consultation with her various Senior Tutors, she helped the College recruit Fellows in subjects long under-staffed, with results that can already be measured in terms of Tripos success. Many new Fellows were attracted to Sidney during Sandra’s decade. These appointments are in part a tribute to the College’s fame for good humour, but that reputation is founded on the wisdom and hospitality of the Masters.

Sandra, ably assisted by her husband Henry, has maintained the tradition with unimpeachable care. Her advice is as keen as the fresh grapefruit that sustains her through the morning, while the warmth of her welcome will be known to many readers of Pheon, as it is to all Fellows and students,

of our community. It is easy to see how her research, her involvement with Oxfam and her work to enhance the management of the NHS will Þll her time. We wish her and Henry all the best for the next stage in their life.

notably to the undergraduate and graduate ofÞce-holders who are now regularly invited to receptions in the Lodge.

Sandra’s remarkable relationship with the College's junior members has been built upon a foundation of committed, sustained interest in the personal and academic welfare of each individual student: from the Freshers’ buffet suppers of their Þrst term, to the individual Academic Reviews that the Master conducts for third and fourth-year students. On the admissions front, it is good to be able to report that applications to Sidney from state schools since 2000 have risen to a level comfortably above the University average.

The graduates are now more involved in the day-to-day activities of the college, improving on Sidney’s established reputation for being a happy college for graduates to belong to. They are now looked after by two graduate tutors, one in arts and one in sciences, assisted by a full-time PA.

The new Master from August 2009, Professor Andrew Wallace-Hadrill, has had a distinguished academic career in Oxford, Cambridge, Leicester and Reading.

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ISSUE TWENTY FOUR MARCH 2009

CONTENTS A conversation with John Osborn . . . . . . 2 A Bursar’s Thoughts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Sidney Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 The best chefs in Cambridge . . . . . . . . . . 3 The Dorothy Larkum Reading Prize . . . 3 Booking a guestroom online . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Sidney Reunions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 A new map of Sidney . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Thank you to our donors . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 The Sidney Sussex Society . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Sidney History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Pass it On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Sandra has successfully combined the leadership of the Sidney community with extensive commitments in the University, notably her Directorship of the Judge Business School (1995–2006) and her work in the wider world. The scope of her contribution to academic and public life was recognised by the award of a DBE in 2004 and by her induction into the Hall of Fame of the International Women’s Forum in 2006.

Sandra has even succeeded in maintaining a vigorous programme of research on leadership, innovation and health management; as I write, she has just collaborated with Z. S. Morris to edit a volume of essays entitled Future Public Health: Burdens, Challenges and Opportunities (Palgrave, 2009). Whether it be a major restructuring of the College administration, the commissioning and oversight of a new (and profusely illustrated) history of the College scheduled for publication this year, or the inception of the new Gledhill skyline which adds interest to the College’s roofscape, Sandra has done her work with extraordinary energy. At some time or other, every principal ofÞcer of the College has risen in the morning, switched on the computer with the Þrst morning kettle, and found half a dozen emails sent by Sandra before the sky had begun to redden over East Road. Of the two blessings named in the title of John Keats’ Sleep and Poetry it seems that Sandra needs only one. Since she presided over the election of two major poets to the Fellowship, Stephen Romer and Clive Wilmer, there is no doubt which one she can relinquish.

Diary Dates 2009 25 April 2009

Sidney Sussex Society Farewell to the Master Dinner

Professor Andrew Wallace-Hadrill OBE, Master Elect

9 May 2009

1596 Foundation dinner

16 May 2009

Sidney Sussex Society MA Graduation Dinner

He has been editor of the leading journal in his Þeld, the Journal of Roman Studies, and was Visiting Professor at Princeton in 1991.

Since 1995 he has been Director of the British School at Rome. His major books and articles include a social history of the Roman house, and his new book, Rome’s Cultural Revolution, just published by Cambridge University Press, is already attracting much interest and admiration. He is currently directing the Herculaneum Conservation Project that has involved new excavation and new discoveries. Andrew has made his commitment to Sidney clear. He has emphasized the necessity for the full support and involvement of the Master in all the College’s endeavours and his understanding of the role of a Master to be ‘at the heart of College life, to generate the self conÞdence of an institution, to promote and build on a convincing shared vision, and to lead a sustained team effort’. We look forward to welcoming him and his wife Jo to Sidney in the Autumn. As Keats says:

20 June 2009

Sidney Arts and Music Day

23 June 2009

Sidney Sussex Society BA Graduands’ Garden Party

26 June–11 July

Sidney Choir on tour in California

12 September 2009

Sidney Sussex Society visit to Penshurst Place and Gardens

17 October 2009

Thornely Society dinner

20–22 November 2009

University Festival of Lights

December 2009

Sidney Sussex Society Christmas Party

Go glad and smilingly…

Some looking back, and some with upward gaze.

Sandra will not be leaving us completely, as it is likely she will follow the example of our previous Master, Gabriel Horn, taking rooms in College and remaining an active member

Commemoration of Benefactors Dates for 2009–2010 Forthcoming dinners

For those who matriculated in:

27 June 2009

1986, 1987, 1988

26 September 2009

1963, 1964, 1999, 2000

26 June 2010

1951–1955 (inclusive)

25 September 2010

1956–1960 (inclusive)

25 June 2011

1989–1991(inclusive)

24 September 2011

1980–1982 (inclusive)

30 June 2012

1961–1963, 1950 and older

29 September 2012

2001–2003 (inclusive)

29 June 2013

1983–1985 (inclusive)

28 September 2013

1974–1976 (inclusive)

Forthcoming events are posted on the Sidney website at

Christopher Page Vice-Master

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www.sid.cam.ac.uk/alumni

Interview with Sidney Benefactor John Osborn (Classics, 1962) history or art history. I was not very academic – I was too pragmatic and liked to cut corners. Pragmatism is useful in business, but less so in academia. I liked the Senior Tutor, Malcolm Willcox, but I can’t say he was an inspiration. I was beyond inspiration academically.

My extracurricular activities were rugby, drinking and socialising with young ladies who were mostly imported from Saffron Walden Teacher Training College. University is a frightening time for young people. You strut your stuff on the stage and within minutes, you’re forgotten, replaced by the next generation. I think we were generally more wet behind the ears than modern students are – certainly more than my own children were in university.

John Osborn (Classics, 1962) will go down in Sidney history as a benefactor whose generosity helped to shape the aspirations and achievements of the College. As the Þnancial situation of UK undergraduate and graduate students began to deteriorate, he stepped in to provide bursaries for students who could not otherwise afford to come to Sidney. He has enabled the College to endow the permanent Osborn Fellowship in Medieval History, and most recently has transformed a promising but ßedgling initiative to enhance college music by endowing the full-time post of Osborn Director of Music, now held by Dr David Skinner.

John Osborn’s career in industry was completed when he retired in June 2008 as Chief Executive of Alexon Group PLC. We asked him how he got his start in life and what brought him back to Sidney.

I went to King Edward’s School in Birmingham and came up to Sidney on what was then called a minor open scholarship. My father had been to Oxford, but it was my Classics Master, Reverend F. J. Williams (1929), who encouraged me to apply to Sidney Sussex; he was a Sidney graduate himself. It would probably be fair to say that my three years at the College were a time of personal growth and academic decline. Classics was a natural choice for me, since I’d studied Latin from the age of Þve and Greek from the age of six, but it didn’t really suit me.

If I could turn the clock back, I would choose early-medieval

I did hope that my daughter would go to Sidney. It was an allmale College in my time and quite a few of the daughters of my Sidney contemporaries followed their fathers to Sidney. But my children all wanted to choose their own universities; they went to Liverpool and Leeds and were more than happy there.

Greek and Latin are wonderful tools, especially for understanding English, but my Cambridge degree (like those of many of my friends) was pretty irrelevant when it came to Þnding a job. A classicist running a rag trade business – from the sublime to the ridiculous or vice versa.

So my career after Sidney was a series of happy accidents. My Þrst jobs were in Personnel at various organisations including Dutch Philips and the National Coal Board. While I was working for the clothing retailer, Wallis, I had an opportunity to move into line management, and that proved to be a better Þt. I was fortunate to have this chance. When you are young, it is difÞcult to know what you want to do. It’s easy to put up with what you’ve got, rather than choosing what you really want.

I turned out to be quite good at running businesses that were in a mess, and that is what I did for the rest of my working life.

Then four or Þve years ago, my wife and I got an amicable divorce. My ex-wife was extremely undemanding in terms of a Þnancial settlement – in fact she positively resisted being looked after. I had been reasonably successful and live fairly frugally, so I had some money to spare. I don’t believe in heaping cash on your kids – do too much and you are, in my view, in real danger of tampering with their lives.

I admire the relationship that American alumni have with their

Colleges – they are more responsive than we are here. I love the notion that when a child from a poorer background applies to Harvard, he or she is accepted without any concern about payment; funding is a secondary consideration. I read an article

by Sidney’s Admissions Tutor at the time, Richard Partington, encouraging comprehensive students to apply to the College, and I thought: that’s terriÞc. So I started funding student bursaries at Sidney.

Then I met Charles Larkum, the Bursar at the time, and he was such a lovely man. We got on well, and talked about my interest in early-medieval history, so I decided to fund a Medieval Fellowship. For me, Romanesque buildings are among the most beautiful in the world (I Þnd the Gothic too stylised) and I have travelled all over Europe to see them, with France and Spain as special favourites. So at Þrst I wanted the Fellowship to be in Romanesque Art History, but Charles felt that this was too narrow and restrictive, so we agreed that it should be a Fellowship in Medieval History with a preference for the early Middle Ages.

Just before Charles Larkum died he helped to create the post of Director of Music. It was initially a very part-time post. I met David Skinner through a mutual friend, at the launch of Sidney’s Thomas Tomkins CD, and I was impressed with his energy and enthusiasm. So I decided to fund the Osborn Directorship of Music, to make it a full-time endowed post.

That has been rewarding in a very tangible way – I get free CDs and even accompanied the Choir on its tour to Regensburg, to perform and record the new Ludwig Senß CD. I really should pay tribute to the Master, Dame Sandra Dawson, who has been very inßuential. Her personality, enthusiasm and professionalism are of the highest order, and she has great capacity for donor care. I would be embarrassed by too much fuss, but I do enjoy being acknowledged and never a month goes by without some contact from her, and this gives me a lot of pleasure.

Perhaps the last point I would like to make is that being a benefactor is, in fact, hugely enjoyable and I do hope that many other Sidney alumni will follow suit in the future.

A Bursar’s Thoughts in Turbulent Times My Þrst year as Sidney’s Bursar has certainly been an interesting and challenging one. We have all had to give much thought to the College’s future during the next few years.

Seen from my perspective as Bursar, three underlying factors drive the economics of a Cambridge college. First, there are the fees that colleges receive for the education they provide; these cover only about 40% of the actual cost, so we rely upon our endowment, and the generosity of alumni, to fund the personalised teaching that is an essential part of the Cambridge education. Second, it is part of any college’s mission to support the research of Fellows, for this makes the academic community broader and improves the quality of teaching. Thirdly, a College has a responsibility to be a good steward of its heritage, in our case accumulated during four hundred years, by taking care of buildings, artefacts and books. This adds a further burden of expense. These costs cannot be met from the fees we charge for education, accommodation and catering. Instead, they have to be funded by our endowment, by trust funds and by the generous support of alumni and friends.

With these factors in mind, I have been thinking about our development priorities for the next Þve to ten years: 1. The College needs to expand its endowment and trust funds in order to Þnance its teaching and to widen access as far as possible. The University has increasingly channelled its resources into research, with the result that colleges must provide more of the teaching.

I believe this trend will continue.

2. The College is also expanding its commitment to music. Through the generosity of John Osborn, we now have an endowed and fulltime Director of Music. In addition, many generous gifts to the Charles Larkum Music Fund will help to create a new practiceroom and to support student activities. This excellent beginning encourages us to be truly ambitious for the Chapel, which will continue to be the main performance space in College. We should aim to improve the lighting for the choir, to provide a chamber organ for exploring new repertoire and, in time, we should strive to replace the main organ with a much more versatile instrument.

5. There is a wonderful opportunity to build a multi-purpose facility for students on the site of the current JCR bar in Blundell Court. This could include a JCR and an MCR, a bar, coffee shop and practice rooms, in addition to areas for performance and seminars. Ideally, this would be a truly ßexible and informal space enabling us to offer Þrst-class facilities to our students and to conferences. The new building would also release space elsewhere in College, allowing us to create more teaching rooms, to build a decent gym and develop the Porters’ Lodge so it could be a more effective ‘front door’ to the College.

3. The lease on the houses we use for student accommodation in Portugal Street expires in 2018. Before then, the College needs to Þnd forty-four replacement rooms. This is a major undertaking, but we already have a number of alternative plans for achieving it in the immediate vicinity of the College.

This is not a good time to have such ambitious thoughts! True, Sidney Sussex will be here in a hundred years’ time, unlike many companies and organisations; yet we must weather the economic climate like everyone else. Last year the College suffered capital losses in its endowment, and the next phase will be a sharp decline in our income. Over the long term we expect to earn 4% on our endowment and trust funds, whereas in recent years we have earned more. For the next couple of years we may earn less than 2%, with reduced dividends, very low interest rates and a depressed rental income from our commercial properties. The College and some of the trust funds will run at a deÞcit and that means drawing upon reserves. Clearly, we need to strive to be as efÞcient as possible, and we may have to postpone some of our more far-reaching plans and projects.

The downturn in the economy is having an impact on us all, so this is not the best time for the College to be raising funds. Nonetheless, I would like to end with two positive thoughts.

First, we should not give up on our ambitious plans; instead, we should implement them cautiously, and over time. Second, I am truly grateful to those who make gifts to the College, and I ask those who cannot give at the present time to remain in contact and do what you can, when you can. We love to hear from you, to see you and to listen to your ideas on how your College should cope with what are turbulent times for us all.

4. College needs to modernise some of its facilities and accommodation. We also need to complete the programme of installing modern Þre protection. Many of the student kitchens and bathrooms need upgrading.

The Z staircase rooms I was assigned in 1971 are still great, but the kitchen and bathroom have not been improved since then, and possibly not since the War. (I leave you to decide which War I mean). The College kitchen has not been upgraded for over forty years and our award-winning chefs deserve something better. Lastly, we need to improve how we archive our historic documents and artefacts, especially making them easier to use.

Nick Allen (1971) Bursar

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Getting involved in Sidney Sports

Photo: Adam J Nall

On 7 March Sidney’s alumni rugby players will once again take on the students to compete for “Dashwood Cup.” Last year, experience triumphed over youth, so watch this space for 2009 results.

Cambridge’s best

SIDNEY REUNIONS

More Colleges than ever before were represented at this year’s Cambridge culinary competition at Christ’s College on Thursday 30 October 2008. The judging panel included top chefs including Peter GrifÞths and Richard McGloin.

In 2009, our Commemoration of Benefactors dinners were renamed Sidney Reunions and separated from the Commemoration of Benefactors Chapel service, which has now become an annual College event. In every other way, these formal dinners remain the same. (For those wishing to attend Chapel, there will always be a Holy Communion on the Sunday morning following the dinner.)

Nevertheless, Sidney’s small 8-person team successfully defended its title to the Steward’s Cup against teams from Robinson, St John’s, St Catharine’s, Queens’, Girton, Trinity Hall, Christ’s, Emmanuel, Homerton and Madingley Hall, and a team from the University Centre.

The 2008 Dashwood Cup match Sidney members who were student athletes recently received a letter from Professor Dashwood and Dr Andrew Flewitt, with the captains of Sidney Sussex sports clubs, announcing the establishment of a new Sports Fund. Sport is an important part of student life, and Sidney encourages all students to get involved. For some time, Sidney has needed a fund that can help to cover equipment and competition expenses for Sports Clubs.

The Sidney Sussex College Students’ Union (SSCSU) does the best it can to support Sidney athletes, but many students now have to pay their own entry fees and clothing and equipment costs. For some students, the cost of participating in sport can be a signiÞcant worry.

On the dates listed below, the following matriculation classes are invited to Reunions:

.

Chefs were tested through 7 different events to assess the full range of their culinary skills.

Judges looked for dishes that were appetising, with a good balance of ßavour and colours demonstrating excellent technical skills.

Sidney Sussex won ‘best in class’ in 5 of the 7 events giving them a commanding lead against strong competition.

. . . .

For the Þrst time this year’s competition included a ‘front of house’ competition for food service staff. This competition was also won by the team from Sidney Sussex.

. .

Sidney Sussex’s Head Chef, Stephen Mather who trained and coached the winning teams said “This event is a brilliant way of developing and improving craft skills in all Colleges and the beneÞts can be seen in the standard of food on student’s plates both at formal events and on everyday cafeteria.”

. . .

We are therefore appealing for support from those Sidney alumni who may have been athletes themselves, and who would like to help current students participate in sports acticities.

To help in achieving this, a gift of any amount, however small, will be gratefully received.

However, to ensure the longer-term viability of the General Sports Fund, our preference would be for contributions to be in the form of gift aid by instalments, with a suggestion of £100 per annum as a standard amount.

27 June 2009: classes of 1986–1988 inclusive.

26 September 2009: classes of 1963, 1964, 1999 and 2000.

26 June 2010: classes of 1951–1955 inclusive.

The best chefs in Cambridge

If you are a former Sidney graduate student, we would love your feedback! We’ve enclosed a questionnaire, and hope that you will let us know what sort of reunions you would prefer.

Our new alumni events are still in the planning stages, and many details remain to be decided. We would love to hear your suggestions or responses! Please send feedback to the Membership and Development OfÞce, or email us at alumni@sid.cam.ac.uk.

25 June 2011: classes of 1989–1991 inclusive.

24 September 2011: classes of 1980–1982 inclusive.

30 June 2012: classes of 1961 and 1963 inclusive, and the matriculands of 1950 and all older year groups.

29 September 2012: classes of 2000–2003 inclusive.

29 June 2013: classes of 1983–1985 inclusive.

28 September 2013: classes of 1974–1976 inclusive.

In 2010, we will welcome back the matriculands of 1990, 1980, 1970, 1960 and all earlier years. In 2011, we will welcome back the matriculands of ’91, ’81,’71, ’61 and all earlier years. Similar plans exist for future dates.

The Dorothy Larkum Reading Prize

We are also considering special reunions for those who joined (or rejoined) Sidney as graduate students. Hitherto graduate alumni have been invited back with their undergraduate colleagues in subject and matriculation year groupings.

25 September 2010: classes of 1956–1960 inclusive.

In 2010, we plan to create additional reunions to mark special anniversaries (for example, the 10th, 20th or 30th year from matriculation).

We hope to include spouses and partners of returning Members on many of these occasions. Members who have reached their 50th reunion years will be welcome to attend all such occasions with their spouses or partners.

If you would like to help, please contact the Membership and Development OfÞce on 01223-338864 or alumni@sid.cam.ac.uk for a Gift Aid form.

GRADUATE REUNIONS

A Sidney Reunion

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAPLAIN All members and friends of the College will be warmly invited to join in our Annual Services of Commemoration of Benefactors in Chapel. This year marks an exciting change in the College's way of gratefully remembering the people who made it, with our wonderful Choir and many current students present at the service for the Þrst time in many years. It promises to be a splendid occasion, and all are most welcome.

Please contact the Chaplain, the Rev’d Dr. Peter Waddell on 01223-338837 or via email at chaplain@sid.cam.ac.uk for any further information.

The best “front of house” team in Cambridge

Winners of the 2008 Dorothy Larkum Reading Prize: Þrst prize Sallie Godwin (centre), sharing the second prize were Iona Blair and Livvy Hanks, left and right of Sallie. Runners up were Mark Taylor and Abigail Parton The competition was judged by Sidney Fellows and former Fellows: Clive Wilmer, Chris Page, Edward Wilson-Lee, Stephen Romer, and by the Master. Penny PriceLarkum was also in attendance.

This Prize was established in memory of Dorothy Larkum (until her death in 2004, the wife of our late Bursar) in part through a generous gift from the Alan and Sheila Diamond Charitable Trust.

Stay at Sidney! You can now book one of our guestrooms online through the new University Rooms website.

This new system offers a simple means of booking and paying for B&B during out of term periods.

Our Easter break offer for Sidney Members includes superior en-suite rooms in Blundell and standard rooms in Cromwell Court (recently refurbished and upgraded).

Discounted rates will be available for alumni during the summer break.

The College website features a new pictorial map of the College (http://www.sid.cam.ac.uk./visitors/sidmap.html.)

The map was produced by artist Jeremy Bays who said that he particulary enjoyed the project as his Þrst job on leaving school was as a part-time waiter in the Hall.

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Thank you to all who have supported Sidney Sussex in 2007–8 We are most grateful to all Members and friends of the College who have supported Sidney during the Cambridge 800th Anniversary Campaign.

Your gifts have sustained the College during a period of Þnancial difÞculty, helping us to maintain academic excellence and to support our students through named and general bursaries, the Thornely Fund and the Charles Larkum Fund for Music, among other key projects.

Thanks also to those who have made special gifts – for access bursaries or study awards, or for the upkeep of a particular subject or activity.

To those who have given anonymously, your names may not be listed here but we thank you wholeheartedly. All whose gifts were received after 30 June 2008 will be thanked in a future issue of Pheon.

In 2007–8, we are deeply grateful to Ms V M Alvarez Landaluce, 2001 Dr S E Ahnert, 1998 Dr W G Allaway, 1962 Professor J W Allen, 1946 Mr I P Allnutt, 1935 Mr I Anderson, 1986 Mr J V R Anderson, 1955 Miss E D Andreeva, 2002 Mr P G Andrews, 1938 Mr G R Angell, 1960 Mrs G N Appleton, 1995 Mr L J Ashford, 1931 Mr S W Askew, 1966 Mr and Mrs R Atkin Mrs D A Atkinson Dr G Avison Miss J Bailey Mr J B Bairstow, 1952 Mr C H Balch, 1971 Dr P J Ball, 1952 Miss S Banerjee, 1993 Mr G G Bannerman, 1950 The estate of Mr R A Barber, 1935 Dr T J Barber, 1996 Mr J H Barker, 1988 Mr J P Barton, 1974 Mr T J R Barty, 1945 Mr M P Basing, 1976 Mr G A Bazire, 1978 Professor A J Bebbington, 1981 Mr M M Beber, 2000 Sir Terence Beckett, 1981 Mrs P B W Begg Mr J M M Bell, 1952 Miss C L Bennett, 1996 Mr C R Benson, 1992 Dr S A Bew, 1981 Mrs C L Bewick, 1984 Mr R Bieber Dr J S G Biggs, 1994 Mr P Birnbaum, 1951 Professor D E Blackwell, 1940 Mr C S Blake, 1962 Mr M J Blake Professor T C W Blanning, 1960 Professor Sir Tom Blundell, 1995 Mr O R M Bolitho Mr M Bouchard, 2000 Sir Derek Bradbeer, 1952 Mr T J Bramley, 1959 Mr P M Bricknell, 1988 Mr J Brock, 1948 Mr D D BromleyChallenor, 1949 Dr A K Brown, 1976 The Estate of Ms R M Brown Mr C A Browning, 1953

Dr L F Brunt, 1947 Mr J H A Bryson, 1961 Mr G W Buckley, 1948 Mr M G Bullen, 1954 Mr A M Burgess, 1946 Dr J Burgess, 1957 Mr K M Butt, 1955 Mr A J F Caie, 1966 Mr D J F Cameron, 1967 Colonel M J A Campbell, 1948 Dr S Campbell Professor K J Carpenter, 1941 Dr L J Carter, 1967 Dr P F B Carter, 1968 Rev’d J M Casement, 1985 Sir Geoffrey Cass Mr E J Chandler, 1972 Professor W Christianson, 2006 Mr P J Clare, 1968 Mr J H Clement, 1948 Lord T F ClementJones Dr G B Clements, 1962 Dr P C Clemmow, 1940 Dr M W Cemlyn-Jones 1936 Mr P J Coggan, 1977 Miss L A Cohen, 1999 Mr J R Collis, 1958 Mr S R Coltman, 1954 Dr J G W Conlin, 2002 Mr A D Cooper Mr R B Cooper, 1977 Professor S E Corbridge, 1975 Mr S T Cowan, 1951 Professor T M Cox, 1990 Dr D E C Crean, 1957 Mr M J Cross, 1968 Mr E A Crowe, 1966 Dr A R D Curtis, 1979 Professor R T Curtis, 1964 Mr D T K Dagg, 1987 Mr G Darby, 1948 Mrs H C Dauris, 1985 Professor Dame Sandra Dawson, 1999 Commander D Dawson-Taylor, 1953 Mr G F de Andrade, 2004 The Viscount De L’Isle Mr D E de Saxe, 1954 Mr J Deans, 1959 Mr M Deans, 1990 Mrs B P Deans The Rev’d I M Delinger, 2002 Mrs J V J Denyer The Alan and Sheila Diamond Charitable Trust Mr M Diamond Mr R W Dingle, 1974 Dr R H L Disney, 1959 Mr M F Dixon, 1975 The Ann D Foundation Dr C E Dodds

Dr J P Dougherty, 1953 Professor Dame Ann Dowling, 1979 Mr A G Downey, 1978 Mrs S J Downey, 1979 Dr A L Downing, 1944 Lord J E Drummond Young, 1968 The Rev’d R C Dunnett, 1951 Mr F A Eames, 1963 Mr H H I Easterling, 1950 Mr F R Edgar, 1957 Mr P R Ellis, 1945 Mr J C Emmerson, 1949 Mr E W Espenhahn, 1934 Miss J T Evans, 1985 Mr H M Evans, 1965 Dr I S Evans Mr C D S Ewart, 1956 Ms M A Farlow, 1983 His Honour Judge E J Faulks, 1964 Mrs J M Fisher, 1991 Mr P N Fison, 1966 Mrs H C Flewitt, 2002 Mr M G Flint, 1980 Mrs S V Flint, 1980 Mr M P Fogden, 1942 Mr G D Ford Mr J Fordham, 1981 Mr I G Forman, 1949 Mr P G D Fox, 1963 Mr J C Fox, 2001 Mrs A B Fox Mrs N Franklin, 1999 Revd Canon A J S Freeman, 1945 Mr W French, 1935 Mr K G Frey, 1960 Mr R M Furber, 1959 The Hon Sir Patrick Garland, 1948 Dr R E B Garrod, 1964 Mr D G Garton, 1982 Mr R C H Genochio, 1964 Mr M Gerstenhaber Mr J W Gibbon, 1964 Mr R Gilbert, 1975 Mr T J Gilbert, 1972 Mr A J Gilderson, 1951 Mr G M Gill, 1952 Mrs K Gill, 1977 Mrs J Gillespie Mr R G Gillespie Mrs K Gledhill Professor K Glover, 1976 Goldman Sachs & Company Mr C C E Golis, 1964 His Honour Judge M B Goodman, 1949 Mrs S L Gore, 1987 Mr D J Gradwell 1959 Mr P W R Gratton, 1981 Mr D H Gray, 1958 Mr D R Gray, 1954 Mr N D F Gray, 1982 Mr M S Green, 1961 Dr P C Green, 1947 Mr and Mrs M Green

Mr R GrifÞths Mr R Hackworth Mr D C Haigh, 1963 Mr R L Hall, 1961 Dr H A R HamadElneil, 1962 Mr G R H Hampshire, 1977 Mr R H Hanworth, 1950 Mr R Harbour Mr B Harrison, 1955 Mr C M H Harrison, 1933 Mr J B Harrison, 1938 Mr S C W Harrison, 1973 Mr D Hart [Huck Finn Club] Mr M R Hartley, 1974 Mr J A F Harvey, 1935 Mr D A Haxby, 1953 Mr L Heller, 1953 Professor P J G Henderson, 1975 Sir James Hennessy, 1946 Mr N Heroys, 1957 Mr C F Herzberg, 1942 Mr D R Hester, 1953 Mr A J Hewitt, 1954 Mr M N Higgin, 1968 Mr P I Higham, 1973 Mr R E Hildrew, 1959 Professor J W Hill, 1968 Mr R J Hill, 1953 Professor C J Hill, 1955 Mr R K Hinkley Mr S D Hobbs, 1992 Sir Ronald Hobson Mr G M Hollington, 1972 Mr H W Holmes, 2003 Ms S A Holmes, 1976 Professor Sir Gabriel Horn, 1958 Mr P E Hortor, 2000 Mr H H Houghton, 1959 Mr D R Howard, 1942 Mr D I Howie, 1974 Mrs S Howley Mr J B Hoyle, 1939 Dr N P Hudd, 1964 Mr G B C Hughes, 1943 Mr T B Hughes, 1945 Mr L Hughes Luke Hughes and Company Mr A J L Huns, 1966 Mr L R Hunt, 1959 Dr P V Hunt, 1952 Mr J C Huntington, 1970 Mr J S Hurst, 1965 Dr L V Illing, 1939 Dr D R Ives, 1973 Mrs S D James Mr J M Jarman, 1978 Mr J C Jeffery, 1957 Mr J A Jefkins, 1959 Professor D A Jenkins, 1930

Mr P G Jenkins, 1964 Mrs G Jennings Mr F B Johnson, 1941 Dr J H Jones, 1946 Professor W Jones, 1980 Mr A Kaye Mr S C Keating, 1985 Dr J R Kemm, 1962 Mr N E Kempton, 1984 Mr P D Kennerley, 1975 Professor J T Kent, 1972 Mr R C Kernick, 1948 Mr C T K Khoo, 1966 Professor C C Kibbler, 1973 The Revd S R Knapton, 1974 Mr R M Knight, 1959 Mr T Kreule, 1978 Mr J Kropman Professor J J Lagowski, 1957 Mr A H Lancashire, 1945 The Rt Hon Lord Lang of Monkton, 1959 Mr P C Larkum Professor A W D Larkum Professor J W Lauher, 2005 The estate of Dr V A Law, 1980 Mr A S Lawson, 1950 Dr C W Lawson, 1973 Dr M J G Lee, 1960 Professor A E Lee Six, 1979 Professor S E Lehmberg, 1954 Mr W Leslie, 1947 Mrs B Levy The Rt Hon Lord Lewis of Newnham, 1970 Mr R G Lewney, 1977 Miss X H Lim, 1999 Sir John Lindsay, 1956 Mr P F T Linford, 1953 Mr P W Lipscomb, 1959 Miss A S Lisulo, 1997 Mrs A B Lomas, 1976 Ms K Love Mr D R Luker, 1956 Dr A D MacAdam, 1951 Professor J D MacKenzie, 1956 Professor Sir Ravinder Maini, 1956 Ms C J Mance, 2000 Mr A Margo Professor C G Marks, 1961 Mr N Martin, 1956 Mr R H McClean, 1983 Mr D B McKenna, 1960 Mrs C H McKie Professor R D McKitterick 2008

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Mr W J Medlicott, 1978 Dr J G Miller, 1988 Professor J M Miller, 1964 Commander T C C Millett, 1955 Ms K J Minogue 1928 Mr C M Mitchell, 1943 Mr M J Mobbs, 1965 Mr N J Moberly, 1996 Mr B J Moody, 1962 Mr M R Moore, 1960 Mr A L Morris, 1971 Mr G V R Moulding, 1950 Mr S D Murphy, 1984 Miss R J Murray, 1994 Dr J C Newell-Price, 1947 Miss D Ngara, 1997 Dr K M Nicholls, 1978 Mr C J Nicholls Professor H B Nisbet, 1982 Mr A A Nix Dr C L Nohre, 1978 Miss H V North, 1994 Mr R Price Lewis, 1973 Mr J P Oakley, 1951 Mr I R Oldcorn, 1961 Mr A H A Osborn, 1962 Mr C N Osmond, 1953 Mr and Mrs M B Owen Professor B E J Pagel, 1947 Mr R H Parkinson, 1954 Professor M Parrinello, 2005 Mr S M Parry, 1975 Mr S Patel Dr N Peacock, 1943 Mr A J Peeler, 1945 Dr N Peeling Dr J C T Pepperell, 1985 Mr D F H Percival, 1967 Miss C H Perry, 1996 Mr B S Perryer, 1951 Mr T W J Phillips, 1968 Dr A J V Philp, 1988 Mr R J Piggott, 1986 Mr H J Pilling, 1965 Pleasance, Hookham & Nix Dr N Pohl, 1998 Mr R M K Pope, 1980 The estate of Mr J A Porter, 1934 The estate of Lt-Col N C Porter, 1948 Mr A R Pratt, 1955 Mrs P Price-Larkum Mr F J Proud, 1986 Mr A J Pudden, 1957 Mr D E Purchase, 1961 Dr M Purshouse, 1970 Dr R D Pyrah, 1955 Mr H T Randolph, 1955 Mr V K Rao, 1935 Mr A N Ratcliffe, 1973

Mr M S Rawlinson, 1976 Dr J M Reid, 1957 Mr G A Reid Mr J Reynolds, 1948 Mr K Reynolds, 1943 Mr L L Rich, 1966 Mr P J R Riddell, 1966 Mr D G M Roberts, 1943 Mr P Rodney Dr S C M Romer, 2002 Mr J T L Ross, 2003 Dr K Roussopoulos, 1990 Mr E N Rowley, 1968 Dr J H B Roy, 1940 Mr C A Rudd, 1999 Mr B J T Rule, 1992 Mr J Russell Dr S J E Russell-Wells, 1954 Professor D M Ruthven, 1957 Mr D V Rutter Mr J Ryding, 1977 Miss S T Sakhare, 2000 Mr R A Salmon, 1984 Dr E J Salter, 1963 Professor Dr Hagen Schulze, 2000 Mr E N Scott, 1949 Dr P F Scott, 1957 Dr M J J Scott, 1993 Mr G W Scott-Giles, 1951 Professor J D Seddon, 1961 Mr C W J Seldon, 1961 Mr S Shah, 1982 Dr M J SharaÞ, 1996 Mr A G Sheard, 1975 Mr N E Shepherd, 1949 Mr J M Sinclair Mr A R B Smith, 1987 Mr I J Smith, 1950 Mr J B Smith, 1949 Professor A K-L So, 1971 Mr I C Solomon, 1996 Mr P J Somerville, 1959 Mr D Sookun, 1989 Mr D B Sorensen, 2006 Ms G C Sparks, 2002 Dr C Spottiswoode, 2005 Mr N M Stechman Dr R J Steiner, 1971 Mr I B M Stephen, 1962 Mr C L Stevenson, 1952 Professor I G Stewart, 1954 Mrs J E Still, 1982 Mr D M D Strong, 1960 Mr M A Styles, 1970 Mr J M Sutcliffe, 1958 Mr J F Q Switzer, 1944 Mr K Tachibana, 1987 Mr J A Taggart, 1973

Dr D B Tayler, 1955 Mr M H Taylor, 1957 Mr K R Teare, 1954 The Company of Biologists Limited Mr F D F Thoday, 1974 Dr M G Thompson, 2002 Mr J Thorne, 1972 Mr G A Thorp, 1964 Mr M A Thorpe, 1956 Dr D C Thrush, 1959 Rear Admiral I P G Tibbitt, 1973 Mr B A Timbs, 1936 Mr C T TindalRobertson, 1994 Mr M Townsend, 1960 Mr K D Tuffnell, 1978 Mr K Tugnait, 1981 Dr C J G Turner, 1956 Mrs S E Tyrrell Mr Z J A Tyszkiewicz, 1952 Unilever United States Foundation, Inc. Mr S W Upton, 1965 Mr R T F Wainwright, 1949 Mr D L Walker, 1941 Sir John Walker, 1998 Mrs E J Warburton, 1983 Ms C J Wedderburn, 2003 Mr R L Westwood, 1992 Mr R D Whitaker, 1964 Mr J E G White, 1957 Prof H B Whittington, 1966 Mr P H L Wightman, 1961 Mr R S Willbourn, 1972 Mr A J Williams, 1966 Mr D L Williams Mr G H W Williamson, 1957 Mrs A J Willmont, 1985 Mr C M W Wilson, 1953 His Honour Judge H Wilson, 1951 Mr V S Winslow, 1966 Dr D M C Wong, 1983 Mr R T Wood, 1981 Mr K J Woodrow, 1950 Miss M S Woodruff, 1980 Mr P M Wrench, 1964 Dr N Wright, 1950 Mr B J Yankowitz, 1980 Mrs E J Young, 1976 Mr J T Young, 1975 Mr P S J Zatz, 1958 Mrs S L ZijderveldDarke, 1989 Mrs M van Dijk

RECENT EVENTS CROMWELL DAY “None climbs so high…”

On 11 October 2008, to mark the 350th anniversary of the death of the College’s most famous alumnus, Oliver Cromwell, the Sidney Sussex Society held an exciting day of events in Cambridge and Huntingdon.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS THE THORNELY SOCIETY 2009

MASTER’S FAREWELL DINNER

As Pheon goes to press, Sidney lawyers are attending the 2009 John Thornely Lecture, generously hosted by Linklaters LLP.

To mark the end of her Mastership in 2009, the Sidney Sussex Society is delighted to invite all Sidney Members to a special dinner on Saturday 25 April in honour of Professor Dame Sandra Dawson.

This year’s Lecture is being given by Professor Margaret Wilson, Professor of Law at the University of Waikato, New Zealand, who was until December 2008 the Speaker of the Parliament of New Zealand. Her topic will be “Establishing a Supreme Court”, in the light of her close involvement in the creation of the New Zealand Supreme Court, which was undertaken in parallel with the similar development in the judicial system of the United Kingdom. We will report on this event in the next issue of Pheon!

The beautiful photographs accompanying this report were taken by Mr A J Etheridge.

At Sidney, alumni enjoyed a buffet lunch and two interesting talks. Professor Derek Beales described Cromwell’s association with the College, including the reburial of the head in the College grounds which he is now the only living person to have witnessed. Roy Sherwood (1966) then delivered a fascinating illustrated talk entitled ‘”With more than regal pomp”: the magniÞcent state funeral of Oliver Cromwell’.

Roy is an historian who has made a special study of Cromwell. His books include The Court of Oliver Cromwell and Oliver Cromwell King In All But Name 1653–1658.

Please join us for a wonderful evening of tributes, and for a feast prepared by Sidney's prizewinning team of top chefs!

A booking form is enclosed with this issue of Pheon, and is also available via the Sidney Sussex website.

Sidney guests inspecting manuscripts at the Record OfÞce.

In the afternoon, the group travelled to Huntingdon, where Cromwell was born and went to school. John Goldsmith, Curator of the Cromwell museum gave an introductory talk during the group’s visit; at the Huntington Record OfÞce, Archivists Alan and Lesley Akeroyd, had set up a wonderful display of Cromwell and Sidney-related documents. The group had tea and another interesting presentation at the All Saints Church.

Sidney lawyers should save the following dates for their diaries:

. The 2009 Thornely Society Dinner will be held in College on Saturday 17th October 2009

. The 2010 Thornely Society Dinner will take place on Saturday 16th October 2010.

At the end of a full day, the group returned to Sidney for an exhibition of Cromwell artefacts owned by the College, presented by the College Archivist, Nicholas Rogers. This was followed by drinks and dinner in the Old Library.

Sandra and Henry Dawson

In the Cromwell Museum

Visit to Penshurst Place

California Choir Tour The award-winning Choir of Sidney Sussex College will tour California in summer 2009.

The Choir will perform in San Francisco at the end of June, and then travel down the coast through Carmel, Monterey, and Santa Barbara, giving three or four additional concerts and Þnishing with an event in Los Angeles.

Photo: Adam J Nall

We would love to hear from Church groups or music societies willing to host student singers overnight! If you’d be happy to get involved, please contact Dr David Skinner at director.music@sid.cam.ac.uk.

ENGINEERS’ DINNER Photograph: Mike Blanche 1994

The 2008 Thornely Lecture

On 12 September 2009, the Sidney Sussex Society is hosting a trip to Penshurst Place in Kent, seat of the Sidney Family since 1552 and home to the Visitor of Sidney Sussex College, Philip Sidney Viscount De L’Isle and his family.

The day is likely to include a guided tour of the House, lunch in the Sunderland Room and a walk through the estate gardens.

All wishing to reserve a place should contact Wendy Hedley on 01223-338881 or alumni@sid.cam.ac.uk.

The Master speaking at the Christmas Party

ARTS AND MUSIC DAY

London Christmas Party 2008

On Saturday 20 June, Sidney Members and their guests are warmly invited back to College for an afternoon of music and arts, showcasing the talents of our student musicians, actors, poets and artists.

The day will involve a range of performances and activities, including a main theatrical event and a dinner in College.

A lively gathering of alumni at HMS President, the Royal Naval Reserve Shore Establishment, enjoyed excellent food and drink, lively conversation and views of Tower Bridge over the water.

All Sidney members and their guests are welcome! Details will be posted online, and sent to all interested alumni. To ensure that you receive an invitation by post, please contact us at alumni@sid.cam.ac.uk or 01223-338881.

BOAT CLUB DINNER On 1 November 2008, the Sidney Sussex Boat Club held a very successful fundraising dinner for the College’s rowing alumni. The dinner was well attended and a great success, raising funds for a new women’s VIII.

Rehearsing the music of Ludwig Senß

The Choir’s new CD of music of Ludwig Senß has just been released by Obsidian, and is available through the College. Senß (1486–1543) was a leading composer in Europe during the Reformation and a favourite musician of Martin Luther. The CD was recorded on location in Bavaria.

To all who came and supported this event, many thanks. Your enthusiasm and commitment are greatly appreciated!

A student performance

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Professor Keith Glover speaks at the Engineering Dinner

The Sidney Sussex Society’s third triennial Engineers’ Dinner was held in College on Saturday, 7th February 2009.

The evening began with a talk by Professor Dame Ann Dowling entitled Silent Aircraft and Other Challenges. The Silent Aircraft Initiative is a collaboration between 40 researchers at the University of Cambridge and MIT, and a community of diverse stake-holders from industry, government and academia. The Initiative aims to develop a conceptual design for an aircraft whose noise would be almost imperceptible outside the perimeter of an urban airport. The emerging conceptual design, SAX40, is predicted to achieve a radical reduction in noise and to use 25% less fuel per passenger mile than the best of current aircraft.

After this talk, which was very well received, guests enjoyed a wonderful dinner, courtesy of Sidney’s outstanding kitchens.

Sidney Sussex: From Cromwell to Countdown This year sees the publication, in December, of a major new fully illustrated history of Sidney which puts the College Þrmly on the historical map of Cambridge, Britain, the World and, given our astronomical prowess over the centuries, even the Universe!

Written by former Sidney English student Richard Humphreys (1972), it will make a marvellous pride-inducing book for the shelves of all Sidneians as well as a perfect present for those with an interest in history or those who simply enjoy great anecdotes and fascinating images. A leaßet accompanying this edition of Pheon gives you an opportunity of supporting the publication.

“Passing Sidney Sussex by, which has nothing to detain us....” So began an early twentieth century architectural tour of Cambridge.

Sidney teachers and students know this is arrant nonsense. From nobles to Nobels and Puritans to partying, Richard Humphreys’ history of our college tells us why.

an extraordinary range of Fellows and students to its brand-new buildings and gardens in the heart of Cambridge. Cromwell, the Earl of Manchester and Sir Roger L’Estrange were just a few of the great men of action of their times, Þghting in Parliament or on the battleÞelds. A notorious hotbed of Puritanism and dissent, Sidney also had its fair share of Royalists, High Church fanatics and even Catholic converts such as Walter Montagu, immortalised in Alexandre Dumas’ The Three Musketeers.

However, with the university reforms of 1860 those days came to an end. Sidney rapidly expanded from a tiny college with a few privileged Fellows and undergraduates to a compact modern powerhouse of mathematicians, physicists, geologists, lawyers, doctors and even – so Dorothy L. Sayers claimed – Sherlock Holmes!

Twentieth-century developments academically and architecturally have simply reinforced this new spirit. From an undergraduate with Scott of the Antarctic to Gordon Welchman’s remarkable group of undergraduates at Bletchley Park in the Second World War, Sidney members have shown that there is no substitute for talent, optimism and hard work.

One student even won the Grand National in 1928.

From the Restoration, Sidney was no longer a political and religious hotspot but a place of scholarship and intellectual debate. It still produced controversy, though, from Voltaire’s favourite denier of miracles, Thomas Woolston, to evangelical pioneers of the abolition of slavery like John Venn, spiritual leader of the Clapham Sect.

With the arrival of women in 1976 Sidney entered a new era, one Lady Frances and her godly early Masters and Fellows would have thought unimaginable. This era not only saw women entering all walks of life, but also the production of football club chairmen, newspaper editors, Þlm directors, quiz show celebrities, lager magnates and chart-topping pop stars. Add those to the scientists, politicians and historians Sidney has always produced and you have a truly remarkable institution.

The later eighteenth century saw Sidney rise to intellectual prominence with its professorial Fellows in astronomy, botany and divinity, attracting Dr Johnson to a few days of drunken discourse and pleasure in 1765.

Under William Chafy’s eccentric mastership, Sidney became what has often been considered neo-Gothic architectural disaster, extravagant parties in the garden and Regency bounders such as Henry Mathew, the original of Thackeray’s gambling ne’er-do-well Bloundell-Bloundell in Pendennis.

Pass it On Colorado skiing holiday: Dr Alison Brown, Honorary Fellow of Sidney Sussex College invites all Sidney members to join with alumni from St John’s Cambridge and Fettes School for a Colorado, USA ski holiday from 3-5 April 2009. To receive a brochure describing the holiday and how to book a place, please contact the Membership and Development OfÞce at 01223-338864 or alumni@sid.cam.ac.uk.

Congratulations and Apologies to: Brigadier E M (Ted) Flint (1979) on his promotion in 2004 from Lieutenant Colonel to Brigadier. He has also been appointed Director of Logistic Information in the Defence Logistics Organisation, took a BSc with the Open University and is now embarked on a second MSc, in mathematics. We apologise for inadvertently omitting this item in the 2008 Sidney Sussex College Annual.

Congratulations to: Warren Bennett (2000), Co-Founder and Managing Director and Lara O’Shea (1998), Marketing Manager of the online hand-tailored suit-making company A Suit That Fits (www.aSuitThatFits.com) for an impressive range of awards, being named as the Small to Medium sized business of the year at the National Business awards, as a Þnalist for both ‘Online Business of the Year’ and ‘Young Entrepreneur of the Year.’

Hannah Flewitt, née Fogg (2002) and Sidney Fellow Dr Andrew Flewitt (1999) who were married in the College Chapel on 26 July 2008, with many Sidney friends and former members of the Choir amongst their guests.

Dr Heinz Fuchs (Fellow, 1997) who has been invited by the Vice-Chancellor to join the newly established Cambridge University Alumni Relations Advisory Board.

Portrait of the 1st Lord Harington

Dr Andrew Groves (1985), who has moved with his wife to Houston as an Associate Professor of Neuroscience and Molecular and Human Genetics at the University of Texas.

Sidney was founded by a noble, educated and embittered widow who wanted to preserve her good name and to promote Protestantism and learning in England. Lady Frances Sidney had no idea what she had started.

From its foundation in 1596 until the English Civil War half a century later, Sidney attracted

EXTRACT FROM THE NEW SIDNEY HISTORY: Gunpowder, Treason and Sidney

“Sidney was closely connected with the drama of the Gunpowder Plot in 1605. A central, if confused, aim of the plotters was to replace King James with his nine-year-old daughter Princess Elizabeth, which they attempted to do on 5 November, after their bid to blow up the King and his Parliament was thwarted. Elizabeth was living at Combe Abbey under the care of her guardian Sir John Harington, Lord Exton, a founding executor of Sidney. On 7 November Sir John was forewarned of a bid to snatch the Princess from his house and with only two hours to spare he took her to Coventry, where she was placed under armed guard.

Rachel Howlett (2002) and her husband Christopher who married in Marlborough in 2005, and have written to announce the birth of their daughter Annabel Amy Rose on 6 November 2008.

The print by Samuel Ward of Ipswich

Sir John then set off to Holbeach in Warwickshire with Sir Fulke Greville to besiege Robert Catesby, the mastermind behind the plot. Catesby was killed in the Þghting that ensued on 8 November. Sir John wrote about the “late devilish conspiracy” to his cousin, the writer Sir John Harington of Kelston, asking for his vigilance against the designs of “evil-minded catholics” in his own county: “I am not yet recovered from the fever occasioned by these disturbances… was out Þve days in peril of death, in fear for the great charge I left at home… This poor lady hath not yet recovered the surprise, and is very ill and troubled… May Heaven guard this realm from all such future designs and keep us in peace and safety.”

was made a Fellow of Sidney. In the same year he dedicated his sermon of thanksgiving on deliverance from the plot to Princess Elizabeth, of whose virtues he said he had been “a daily eye-witness”.

James Montagu’s brother, the Sidney benefactor Sir Edward Montagu of Boughton, then a Northamptonshire MP, was a staunch puritan who supported the Þght of many godly ministers and preachers in his county against drunkenness, clerical pluralism and avoidance of the Sabbath. He is best known, however, for initiating the bill that was passed in 1606 for a public thanksgiving on 5 November for the deliverance of the King and nation from the Gunpowder Plot. Sidney can thus claim to have had a part in the establishment of one of England’s greatest annual festivals – BonÞre Night.”

One member of the Combe Abbey household who removed to Coventry with the Princess for their own safety was Daniel Dyke, a Sidney MA, chaplain to the Haringtons and their royal ward. The following year Dyke

If any College Member is willing to offer advice or assistance to fellow College Members and would like to publish details in Pheon, please write to the Editor with the relevant information.

Pheon aims to keep Members of Sidney Sussex informed about their College and about each other. Articles and photographs will be most welcome; they should be sent to: Zoe Swenson-Wright, Assistant Editor, Pheon Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge CB2 3HU Tel: 01223-338864 Fax: 01223-338884 Email: alumni@sid.cam.ac.uk

The Master hosting Shiv Shankar Mukherjee, His Excellency The High Commissioner of India, at a lunch meeting to discuss Cambridge links with India.

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THE SIDNEY SUSSEX NEWSLETTER

Achievements and Prospects Had anyone suggested at the end of the 1950s, when your Editor was serving his time as a Sidney undergraduate, that the College would win not one but three culinary awards, no one would have believed it. In those far off days of overcooked cabbage and under dressed lettuce, amongst its many virtues Sidney did not count haute or for that matter any other kind of cuisine. There were a few Indian restaurants but otherwise a trip to Lyons Corner House on occasional trips to London was about as daring as most undergraduates were likely to be. So we owe a huge debt of gratitude to Stephen Mather and his team, who have completely turned things round, making Sidney the gastronomic envy of the rest of Cambridge. Congratulations go to Stephen himself who won a gold medal at

Chef of the Year Steven Mather and his winning team

the TUCO Chef of the Year event in January in London with a menu to die for that is reproduced on the College website, and also to his team of seven chefs which had previously won the Steward’s cup for the best team effort in the Cambridge College Chefs competition last October and scooped a further eight individual medals as well. To top it off, two junior chefs, Sara Delgardo and Brian Girdlestone, were awarded a gold medal and ‘best in class’ at the British Culinary Food and Drink Expo in Birmingham on 7 April 2008.

In welcoming our new Senior Bursar, Nick Allen, everyone connected with Sidney will want to express our sincere thanks to George Reid for so splendidly guiding us through the interregnum following Charles Larkum’s death last year and ensuring that his legacy was not squandered.

We also welcome our new Admissions’ Director, Kirsten Dickers. As we often receive questions from Sidney members about how the Cambridge admissions process has changed since they applied, we thought it might be useful to ask Kirsten how the process works now, and what sort of students Sidney currently recruits. You’ll find her interesting responses on page 3.

You will find other Sidney achievements featured in this number of Pheon.We are again basking in Ann Dowling’s reflected glory after her election, close on the heels of her DBE, as a Foreign Associate of the US National Academy of Engineering for advances in acoustics and steady flow and for leadership in collaborative research between industry and universities. She is now one of only 193 foreign associates in Academy, which has a national membership of 2227.

In 2009, we will celebrate both the University’s 800th birthday, and the last year of Sandra’s Mastership; we are planning some celebrations and will keep people posted. The Sidney website always has up-to-date details of forthcoming alumni events, so check in often! The address is www.sid.cam.ac.uk.

The growth of the College’s musical reputation, under our dynamic Director of Music, David Skinner also continues apace.

The Choir’s recent award and forthcoming tours are described below.

Professor James Mayall Editor

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ISSUE TWENTY THREE Summer 2008

CONTENTS In remembrance of Arthur Herder . . . . . . . 2 The Thornely Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Admissions at Sidney . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Thank you to all donors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Cromwell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 The Sidney Sussex Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Travels in Greece and Italy . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Sidney is Top of the Pops . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Pass it On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Diary Dates 2008 11 October 2008

Cromwell Day

1 November 2008

Boat Club alumni dinner

8 December 2008

Sidney Sussex Society Christmas Party

Introducing Sidney’s new Bursar

Diary Dates 2009 connection with Sidney is a long one, as both his father, the statistician Sir Roy Allen, and his brother Jeremy Allen (1961) were Sidney members before him. Nick’s academic mentor at Sidney was the brilliant Geographer Dick Chorley, and he also remembers fondly the Bursar, Roger Andrew, who was “always approachable” and willing to help students with whatever they were doing.

On 1 March 2008, Sidney Sussex welcomed Nick Allen (Geography, 1971) as Senior Bursar. Nick comes to Sidney following a successful business career, most recently as Managing Director of Unilever’s Ventures Group. He hopes to guide the College toward adopting some of the best practices of a wellrun business, while keeping its focus on academic excellence and the well-being and happiness of students and staff.

Nick is looking forward to meeting both old friends from the 1970s, and Sidney alumni from other decades.

At a personal level, coming back to Sidney is both a return to his beginnings, and a rejuvenating professional challenge. Nick’s

7 February 2009

Sidney Sussex Society Engineers’ Reunion Dinner

February 2009

John Thornely Lecture

25 April 2009

Sidney Sussex Society Spring Dinner

16 May 2009

Sidney Sussex Society MA Graduation Dinner

23 June 2009

BA Graduands’ Garden Party

17 October 2009

Thornely Society dinner

December 2009

Sidney Sussex Society Christmas Party

Nick Allen (1971) is Sidney’s new Senior Bursar

Sidney Choir voted Gramophone’s CD of the Month ‘These Distracted Times’, featuring the music of Thomas Tomkins, received one of the highest accolades in the music industry when it was chosen ‘Editor’s Choice and CD of the Month’ in the February 2008 issue of the prestigious music magazine, Gramophone.

Sidney is the first choir in Oxford and Cambridge to receive both these accolades.

great Jacobean composers and a contemporary of Oliver Cromwell.

The disc was recorded in the Sidney Chapel and features the distinguished viol consort, ‘Fretwork’ and members of the professional early music ensemble ‘Alamire.’ It presents the music of Thomas Tomkins, last of the

This summer the Sidney Choir will tour Austria and Germany, performing in Salzburg on the 7th, Augsburg on the 8th, and Regensburg on the 9th of July. The Choir will then record their next CD for Obsidian Records

(www.obsidianrecord.co.uk): the music of Ludwig Senfl, a Swiss German composer of the early 16th century, who was a favourite of Martin Luther and employed in the household of Emperor Maximilian I. The Choir will be joined by the cornett and sackbut ensemble QuintEssential and the 2008 Lady Frances Musician in Residence, Andrew LawrenceKing (gothic harp). The CD will be released in Autumn 2008.

This is the first major recording by the Sidney Choir. As the Editor of Gramophone comments ‘the Choir of Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, is new to me… they sing with as much sensitivity and soul as many more famous rivals’.

An order form for both cds is enclosed

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Commemoration of Benefactors Dates for 2008–2009 Forthcoming dinners

For those who matriculated in:

28 June 2008

1964–1966

27 September 2008

1996–1997

27 June 2009

1986–1988

26 September 2009

1963, 1999, 2000

Forthcoming events are posted on the Sidney website at www.sid.cam.ac.uk/alumni Please send your email address to alumni@sid.cam.ac.uk to make sure that you receive invitations

In Remembrance of Arthur Herder – after 102 years “The Light Tower on Queen’s Road”, which he painted at the age of twelve, was featured in London at an 1896 exhibition of The Royal Drawing Society of Great Britain & Ireland.

In October 1902, having completed high school, he entered Sidney Sussex College at Cambridge to study law and graduated with a BA and LLB in December, 1905. Here again he excelled in athletics, prominent on the running track and playing rugby for his College.

However his chief distinction in athletics was in rowing where he represented Sidney from 1903 to 1905 in just about every competition held. In his final year he missed the coveted Blue by one place, being the first reserve of the Cambridge University Varsity crew.

My wife Gail and I decided to join a group of “Friends of the Regiment” and travel to France with the modern day Royal Newfoundland Regiment to commemorate the 90th Anniversary of the Battle of Beaumont Hamel, which was the first day of the Battle of the Somme, and where the Regiment suffered terrible losses on 1st July 1916.

Three of my uncles went “over the top” that day. Hubert Herder was killed and is buried at Beaumont Hamel. Ralph was wounded and survived many battles during the duration of the War. He died in 1955 after a successful newspaper career.

This article is about my third uncle who fought that day, their brother Arthur, a 1905 graduate of Sidney Sussex, the eldest of the three. It is also about the journey that Gail and I were proud to undertake to see that he is remembered, for he died at Cambrai, France on 1st December 1917,

While Gail and I could not attend the Remembrance Day ceremony when Peter read Arthur’s name for the first time, we returned to Sidney in October 2007 to commemorate the 90th anniversary of Arthur’s death, 102 years after his graduation.

William James Herder St. Andrew’s College Aurora, ON, Canada

Returning to Newfoundland he practised law, first with a partner in their own small firm, and later in Western Canada. A plaque of remembrance in the Supreme Court Building in St. John’s is dedicated to Arthur and two other members of the Newfoundland Bar who were killed in World War I.

Arthur J Herder (1902)

It was one of those situations, where one was tempted to say “why bother - it was so long ago – no one really cares.” But that attitude would have flown in the face of what we were actually doing in France and England in late June and early July 2006.

name was not on the commemorative wall remembering graduates of the college who had given the supreme sacrifice for King and Country. As there was space at the very bottom of the wall, he arranged for a stonemason to add the name of Arthur J. Herder.

“The Light Tower on Queen’s Road”

and to our knowledge no member of our family had ever visited his grave.

When we were in France, and when the commemorative services were completed, we went with friends to find Arthur’s grave. It was late that Sunday afternoon, 2nd July, when we finally found Tincourt New British Cemetery where only a handful of Newfoundlanders are buried amongst thousands of others. Arthur’s gravestone is barely legible, and I felt sad to think he was forgotten for all these years. We have high hopes the Commonwealth Graves Commission will consider its replacement.

Arthur was the eldest of twelve children born to William James Herder and his wife Elizabeth.

He was born 28th January 1883, just a few years after his father founded The Evening Telegram in 1879, a daily newspaper – Newfoundland’s first – which is still published in St. John’s but now is known as The Telegram.

Arthur was educated in St. John’s at the Methodist College where he excelled in academics and athletics. After his death it was written about him that “he was a footballer of the first rank and a foremost figure in the early days of hockey in Newfoundland. In the latter respect there was nothing surprising, for he was but the first of a family which has since produced almost a full team of hockeyists of championship calibre.”

James and Gail Herder in the Sidney Chapel

We had scheduled a few days in London and Gail said “We must go up to Cambridge.” I was dubious because I knew from earlier enquiries that Arthur’s name was not on the War dead plaque at the College – but she was insistent, and I am forever in her debt.

At Sidney, we had lunch in the same dining room where Arthur took his – an experience I found profoundly moving – and the food was excellent too! Sidney’s Chaplain, Dr. Peter Waddell, understood our concern that Arthur’s

While still a boy, Arthur displayed an extraordinary talent at the St. John’s School of Art. His original watercolour sketch of

A J Herder remembered

The Thornely Society RECENT EVENTS The fourth annual John Thornely Lecture was held on Thursday 7 February 2008 at the offices of Clifford Chance LLP, 10 Upper Bank Street, London. Thornely Fellow Dr Jillaine Seymour addressed a large and wellbriefed audience on the subject of “Animal Rights and Civil Wrongs: injunctive relief against non-parties.” The lecture was preceded by the AGM of the Thornely Society, and followed by a wonderful reception, hosted by Clifford Chance.

Clifford Chance also hosted a special “speed networking” event for Sidney Law students, to introduce them to the firm and to answer any questions they might have. Sidney Sussex

establishing a number of Bursaries for Law students at Sidney Sussex. It was recognised that potential students, especially those whose family circumstances are difficult, may be deterred from applying to read Law at Cambridge by the amount of debt they are liable to incur during an undergraduate course.

The availability of Bursaries, even of quite modest size, can help to overcome this very real disincentive, while giving the College an advantage in the competition to attract the ablest Law applicants. With your help, we have raised enough to support a Law student in 2009. Your gifts and membership contributions to the Thornely Society will build this fund to help Sidney law students.

Reception at Clifford Chance

College and the Thornely Society are extremely grateful to Clifford Chance for so generously hosting these events.

The Thornely Society annual dinner was held in College on 14 April. All Sidney lawyers are encouraged to attend the next such dinner, which will be on Saturday 17 October 2009.

MEMBERSHIP OF THE THORNELY SOCIETY The Thornely Society now has three classes of Members:

THORNELY BURSARIES IN LAW

Dr Jillaine Seymour delivers the Thornely Lecture

Foundation Members Foundation Members of the Society are those who have made gifts of £5000 or more towards the funding of the JWA Thornely Fellowship in Law; or who, once the funding of the Fellowship has been completed, contribute a similar sum towards other projects to further

At the AGM of the Thornely Society on 7 February 2008, the Members who were present expressed enthusiasm for a proposal that the fund-raising efforts of the Society, now that the JWA Thornely Fellowship in Law has been financed, be concentrated on

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the teaching of Law at Sidney Sussex. Their Foundation Membership continues for life. The contribution made by Foundation Members will be publicly recognised by the College.

From time to time, events will be organised that are restricted to Foundation Members.

Members Members of the Society are those who have made gifts of £500 or more towards the funding of the Fellowship or towards other projects to further the teaching of Law at Sidney Sussex.

Their Membership continues for life or until they meet the condition for becoming Foundation Members. Members are invited to all activities of the Thornely Society, except those that are restricted to Foundation Members.

Associate Members All College Members who graduate in Law from Sidney Sussex or subsequently qualify as lawyers are entitled to Associate Membership of the Society. Their Associate Membership continues for life or until they meet the conditions for one of the other categories of membership. Associate Members are invited to the Annual Lecture and the Annual Dinner and, at the discretion of the Committee, to other Society activities. They may attend the AGM of the Society as observers.

Admissions at Sidney Sussex In 2007, Sidney welcomed Dr Kirsten Dickers as its new Director of Undergraduate Admissions. Here she, and her colleague, Admissions Officer Sarah Nathoo, explain to Zoe Swenson-Wright how the Sidney Admissions process works, and what sort of students the College is working to attract.

Sarah: At interview, we don’t even ask “why did you apply to this College?” any more, so that Open applicants don’t feel at a disadvantage.

Q: Do you feel that, once the students arrive, the ones who chose Sidney Sussex are happier here than those who didn’t?

Q: How should applicants choose a College to maximise their chances of being successful?

Q: How does the Admissions process work?

Kirsten: The first step is for prospective students to fill in the online UCAS application form, by 15 October. Once we have received this, we will ask them to provide some additional information, via an online supplementary questionnaire. We use this to make sure we have complete, detailed information on all our applicants, so that we can assess everyone on the same criteria.

In previous years, students also had to fill in a separate Cambridge Application Form (CAF).

The University has now abolished this form for UK and EU students, along with the associated £10 application fee.

Depending on the subject they are applying for, a prospective student might also be asked to take a pre-interview test, or to send us some written work.

Interviews take place in early December. All applicants with a realistic chance of getting a place are interviewed. We deselect people before interview for two reasons: either their academic record is significantly below the standard of a typical applicant, with no mitigating personal or educational circumstances that may have affected their performance; or they have not taken a suitable combination of A Level or equivalent subjects for their choice of course. Students can find more information about the requirements for particular courses at http://www.cam.ac.uk/ admissions/undergraduate/requirements/index.html.

Q: What happens during the interview process?

Sarah: Most applicants have two interviews, lasting about 20 to 30 minutes each. They are conducted by academics in the candidate’s subject or a related area, usually with two interviewers in each interview. Interviews are subject-focused discussions, designed to find out about a candidate’s academic ability and potential, as well as their interest and enthusiasm for their chosen course. In some subjects, there are also written tests during the interview period.

Most students receive a decision on their application in early January. In some cases though, we don’t reach a final decision at this stage – the application is put into the Intercollegiate Pool, so that other Colleges can consider the student. The Pool is Cambridge’s way of making sure that the College a student applies to does not affect their chances of getting a place. As a result, an excellent applicant won’t be rejected just because they happen to apply to a College that is oversubscribed in their particular subject.

One relatively recent change, that may be new to alumni, is that candidates can now only apply to one College, rather than giving a preference list on their application form.

Kirsten: The only fair way of doing it is to try to increase our number of good applicants from state schools. Often the very good students from state schools don’t apply to us, so we try to encourage them.

Kirsten: I don’t think it makes any difference.

We know that people who come to us via Open applications or the Pool do just as well at Sidney as those who chose the College. Our students settle in and make friends so quickly that within a few days of arriving at Sidney, it doesn’t matter where they applied.

Kirsten: In terms of the statistical chances of getting a place, there is no ‘right’ College to apply to – students certainly shouldn’t waste their time trying to work this out! Teachers will sometimes look at statistics and tell their students to apply to a particular College because it receives fewer applicants. I would advise against this – all Colleges would rather take a good applicant from the Pool than a weaker direct applicant.

Q: The Sutton Trust has found that school teachers are often misinformed about Cambridge.

Do you see that when you talk to students?

Kirsten: That is certainly true, yes. I think things are improving but there are still a lot of misconceptions among teachers and parents. In some cases, I think teachers have an idea that their students will not get through the interview, and don’t want them to be disappointed. This is a problem we often encounter. Schools that are not used to sending people to Cambridge or Oxford may only have one or two applications a year. It can be very difficult for teachers who’ve persuaded students to apply if those students are then rejected. So it is very important that we target the right applicants; we don’t want to raise students’ aspirations unrealistically.

Q: Do you think that in 20 years, the Colleges will be really regionalised – and that Sidney will be one of the Northwest Colleges?

Kirsten: No! It is important to have a mix of students. You do get a good mix in the Colleges – at Sidney we have students from all over the UK and all over the world – including Europe, the US, China, Singapore, Malaysia and India.

In my opinion, the best way to choose a College is to think about the environment and atmosphere that will suit you best. Colleges vary in size, age, location and atmosphere, and most students try to choose one where they will feel at home, and where there is a vibrant atmosphere in which to study their chosen subject.

Q: Are there any problems associated with applying from abroad?

Kirsten: No – the University is very used to dealing with and assessing international applications, and we make many offers on the International, European and French baccalaureates, the German Abitur, US Advanced Placements and a wide range of other examinations. We welcome overseas applications.

Q: So how should an applicant explore the various Colleges to make the decision about where to apply?

Sarah: Open Days are the best way of finding out about Colleges. You have the opportunity to meet the Directors of Studies – the people who will actually be responsible for your teaching – as well as current students and Admissions staff.

At the University Open Days in July there are talks and stands for all the subjects, and all the Colleges are open at some point during the day.

I think it’s also important to tell students that the interview is only one part of the application process – we look at a whole range of information about a candidate, including their academic record, references, personal statement and test scores, as well as their interview performance.

Q: What sort of students is Sidney looking for?

Q: How does it affect an applicant if his or her parents are Cambridge alumni?

Kirsten: There is no typical student; we want people who are very academically capable, and who are going to enjoy a degree course that is intensive and challenging. We want students who really, really enjoy the subject they have chosen to do. Other than that, we have absolutely no preference about your background, where you were educated, or anything else.

Kirsten: Sidney has several Open Days throughout the year. Prospective students can find details of these, as well as a lot of useful information about the College, on our website.

We also have a College prospectus, and our students write their own “alternative prospectus.”

Sarah: In most cases, we wouldn’t even know and would prefer not to. Applicants may be asked for a parent’s name on their application questionnaire, but we are both reasonably new to Sidney and wouldn’t recognise most names. In any case, it certainly would make no difference in our selection decision.

Q: Are some subjects stronger than others, or would you advise applicants in every subject to come here?

If a student has absolutely no preference about which College they attend, they can submit an Open application. Once all applications have been received in October, Open applicants are allocated to a College that has received fewer than average applicants per place in that particular subject.

Q: If an applicant mentions having alumni parents, does that have an effect on his or her chances?

Kirsten: Of course, we’d like everyone to apply here! We’re lucky at Sidney to have a large teaching Fellowship, with a good balance between Arts and Science subjects. For all major subjects, we have at least one teaching Fellow in the College, so we are able to provide excellent academic support through our Directors of Studies. In the few subjects where we have no Fellows, our students are well looked after by an external Director of Studies from another College. In this way we can cater very well for students studying any subject. The only course we don’t admit students for is Education Studies.

Q: How do you work to promote Sidney to applicants?

Sarah: As well as producing a prospectus and an Admissions website, and running Open Days, we encourage schools to visit us at Sidney. Any school is welcome, whether or not they are in our “target area.” Every Cambridge College has an allocated area in the UK where they focus their outreach activities. At Sidney we are responsible for the Northwest of England, in collaboration with Fitzwilliam College and New Hall. However, we are happy to visit schools in any part of the country – Kirsten has already visited schools in London, Farnborough, Sheffield and Grimsby, as well as many parts of the Northwest. And if a school would like to visit us here, and has a particular interest, we can organise a suitable talk or activity for them.

Kirsten: No! We are completely neutral. We want to know about the student – his or her abilities and interests – and not anything else. So there is no harm, but also no benefit, in mentioning alumni parents. Of course, if a child or relative of a Sidney Member is admitted, we are always thrilled, and celebrate that relationship. However, we feel that the important thing is for the student to choose their College on the basis of where they will feel at home.

We are very conscious of Sidney’s great strengths, distinctive features and cherished traditions. It has a very special role to play for our current and prospective students, as it did for our alumni.

Through our work in the Admissions Office, we play our part in ensuring that Sidney continues to be a vibrant scholarly community of which we can all be proud.

Q: Is it easier for students from UK state or independent schools to get a place at Sidney?

And does either group perform better?

Kirsten: In terms of your chance of obtaining a place, there is absolutely no difference, and we have no preference for state or private school students. The only thing we do look at is information about the school’s academic performance at GCSE and A level. It doesn’t matter to us whether the school is private or state, but if a student with good results has come from a school that is performing very badly, then obviously that tells us something about their work ethic and how motivated they are. This year, 70% of the offers we made to home students were to state school leavers. Examination performance statistics show that students from all educational backgrounds do equally well at Cambridge.

Q: When you look at applications, does it make a difference whether the applicant chose Sidney Sussex or submitted an Open application?

Kirsten: It makes no difference whatsoever.

Once an application is allocated to a College, it is treated exactly the same as a direct application.

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Photo: Adam Nall

Sarah Nathoo (left) and Kirsten Dickers

Q: I know that the government has set targets for increasing applications from state schools. How do you keep your process completely fair, while still increasing state school applications?

Prospective students on a tour of the College

Thank you to all who have supported Sidney Sussex in 2006–2007 We are very grateful to all Members and friends of the College who have supported the Cambridge 800th Anniversary Campaign with a gift to Sidney, to support the College’s Annual Fund, Thornely Fund, Charles Larkum Fund for Music, the College Library and its students.

Thanks also to those who have made special gifts – for access bursaries or study awards, or for the upkeep of a particular subject or activity.

To those who have given anonymously, your names may not be listed here but we thank you wholeheartedly. All whose gifts were received after 30 June 2007 will be thanked in a future issue of Pheon.

We are deeply grateful to Friends of Sidney Sussex College Mrs D A Atkinson Mrs P B W Begg Mr M J Blake Professor H R Bolton Dr L Broughton Mrs B K Browning Ms A V R Bugden Mrs D J Clarke Mr A D Cooper The Ann D Foundation The Alan and Sheila Diamond Charitable Trust Estate of Mrs M G Dibden Dr I S Evans Mrs K Gledhill Mr & Mrs K Haith Mr R Harbour Professor J M Harrison Mrs S Howley Dr D J Knight Mr and Mrs A Legg Miss P Morris Mr A Neal Dr E M Northcote Mr and Mrs M B Owen Mr L M C Parker Mr I Russell Mr D V Rutter Mrs H Salemohamed Mr J ScrymgeourWedderburn Mrs E H Sealy Drs G & R Southgate Mr J H A Thornely Mrs M Turner Mrs S E Tyrrell Mr P W Warren Baroness Young of Old Scone Members Matriculated in or before 1940 Lieutenant Colonel E C Alderton Mr I P Allnutt OBE Mr P G Andrews Mr L J Ashford Mr R A Barber Professor D E Blackwell Dr J F Buchan Estate of Mr G P Bugden Mr J Catlow Dr M W Cemlyn-Jones Mr E W Espenhahn Mr W French Mr J W F Gardiner Mr J C Gaskell The Revd G H Gillespie Mr D H Griffiths OBE Mr C M H Harrison Mr J B Harrison Mr F C Herd

Mr J B Hoyle Dr L V Illing Professor D A Jenkins Dr A I MacLeod Mr D R Mather Mr S V Meinhardt The Revd M B Perkins Mr J A Porter Mr V K Rao The Estate of Sir Richard Powell Dr J H B Roy Dr J M W Sedgwick Professor C T Shaw CBE Lt-Colonel D R Stenhouse Dr K W Symons Mr B A Timbs The Estate of Dr A L Yoxall 1941 – 1950 Professor J W Allen Mr G G Bannerman Dr R B Bennet Professor R N Bracewell Mr J Brock Mr D D BromleyChallenor Mr A T Brown Dr L F Brunt Mr G W Buckley Mr A M Burgess Mr D E Butterfield Professor K J Carpenter Mr W G E Chilton Estate of I C K Clarke Mr J H Clement Mr G Darby Mr B G P Dobson Dr A L Downing Mr H H I Easterling Mr G J Edwards Mr P R Ellis Mr J C Emmerson Mr M L Fenwick Mr M P Fogden Mr I G Forman Revd Canon A J S Freeman The Hon Sir P N Garland Mr D R Gilbert TD His Honour Judge M B Goodman Mr A S Grant Mr C F Herzberg Professor M Hobsley Mr D R Howard Mr G B C Hughes Mr F B Johnson Mr C G G Johnstone Dr J H Jones Dr L C Laming Mr A H Lancashire Mr A S Lawson Mr W Leslie Mr W F S Letten Mr C M Mitchell

Mr G V R Moulding Professor D J Newell Dr J C Newell-Price Professor B E J Pagel Dr N Peacock Mr A J Peeler Revd Canon D F Rees Dr C M Reeves Mr K Reynolds Mr J Reynolds Mr D G M Roberts The Rt Revd J H G Ruston Mr E N Scott Mr J A Shepherd Mr N E Shepherd Mr J B Smith Mr I J Smith Mr R L Stoker Mr I B Urquhart Mr R T F Wainwright Mr D L Walker Mr K J Woodrow Dr N Wright 1951 – 1960 Mr J V R Anderson OBE The Very Rev’d W R T Anderson Mr G R Angell Mr J B Bairstow Dr P J Ball Dr D A Barr Mr A V Bassili Mr J M M Bell Mr P Birnbaum The Revd J A Bowering Sir Derek Bradbeer OBE TD DL Mr T J Bramley Mr R G Broadie Mr C A Browning Mr M G Bullen Dr J Burgess Mr A R Catchpole Mr F W Cheesman Mr J R Collis Mr S R Coltman Mr F D Cousin Mr S T Cowan Mr R A Crabb Commander D Dawson-Taylor Mr D E de Saxe Mr J D Derry Dr R H L Disney Mr F R Edgar Mr C D S Ewart Mr B K Finnimore Mr K G Frey Mr R M Furber Mr G M Gill Mr P R Goddard Mr D R Gray Mr D H Gray Mr M E Gubbins Mr R L C Hartley QC Mr D A Haxby Mr L Heller Mr N Heroys

Mr D R Hester Mr A J Hewitt Mr R E Hildrew Mr R J Hill Dr C E Hoare Dr G A Hobbs Mr K Hopper Mr H H Houghton Mr D J Humphrey Mr L R Hunt Dr P V Hunt Mr J C Jeffery Mr J A Jefkins Mr J D Jemson Mr M G W Kettlewell Dr D Kleppner Mr R M Knight Professor J J Lagowski Mr T G Lawrence Professor S E Lehmberg Revd N K Leiper Mr P F T Linford Mr P W Lipscomb OBE Mr C C K Lucas Mr D R Luker Dr A D MacAdam Mr D B McKenna Dr G E S McDonald Commander T C C Millett Mr J P Oakley Mr L D Ogden Mr C N Osmond Mr C V Nicholls QC Mr H W Packham Mr R H Parkinson Mr B S Perryer Mr A R Pratt Mr A J Pudden Dr R D Pyrah Mr H T Randolph Mr D A Redfern Dr J M Reid OBE Mr S A Ross Dr S J E Russell-Wells Professor D M Ruthven Mr N R Sachdev Mr P D Sanderson Mr G W Scott-Giles Dr A Segal Mr J M Sennett Mr F J Silvester The Rev’d Canon J L Simpson Mr D J Slimmon Mr D J Smith The Rt Hon Lord D R Stevens Mr C L Stevenson Mr R C G Strick Mr D M D Strong Mr J M Sutcliffe Mr K R Teare Mr R G Thorne Mr M A Thorpe Dr D C Thrush Mr M Townsend Dr M S A Townsend Mr Z J A Tyszkiewicz Mr J Van Weyenbergh

The Venerable M I Williams Mr G H W Williamson Mr S W Williamson QC Mr C M W Wilson His Honour Judge H Wilson Mr W S Witts Mr J A Wood Mr A J L Worth Mr P S J Zatz 1961 – 1970 Mr S W Askew Mr V J Baker Mr R H Birtwistle Mr C S Blake Mr C R Broadie Mr J W Brown Mr J H A Bryson Mr A J F Caie Mr D J F Cameron Dr L J Carter Mr P J Clare Dr G B Clements Mr E A Crowe Professor R T Curtis Mr F A Eames Mr P I Espenhahn Mr N O Essex Mr H M Evans His Honour Judge E J Faulks Mr P N Fison Mr P G D Fox Mr T French Dr R E B Garrod Mr R C H Genochio Mr J W Gibbon Mr W Gibson Mr N J Greenwood Mr D C Haigh Dr H A R HamadElneil Mr M W Heath Mr M N Higgin Professor J W Hill Dr N P Hudd Mr A J L Huns Professor R H F Hunter Mr J S Hurst Mr P G Jenkins Dr J R Kemm Professor C G Marks Mr J W McNeill QC Professor J M Miller Mr M J Mobbs Mr B J Moody Mr K Nicholson Mr R C North Mr D F H Percival Mr R C J Phillips Mr T W J Phillips Mr H J Pilling Mr D J Pritchard Mr D E Purchase Dr M Purshouse The Rt Hon W R N Raynsford Mr L L Rich Mr P J R Riddell Mr S G Rider

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Mr E N Rowley Mr J M Rushton Dr E J Salter Dr A J Searle Mr C W J Seldon Mr P R Speer Mr I B M Stephen Mr M W Story Mr M A Styles Mr G A Thorp Mr S W Upton Mr R D Whitaker Mr P P White Prof H B Whittington Mr A J Williams Mr P M Wrench 1971 – 1980 Mr J H Allen Mr D P Bannister Mr J P Barton Mr M P Basing Mr M W E Bayliss Mr G A Bazire Mrs A C Beckett Mr S Braid Dr A K Brown The Rev’d Dr A S Browne Mr M J Clayson Mr P J Coggan Mr R B Cooper Ms M Craig Dr A R D Curtis Mr R W Dingle Mr M F Dixon Mr A G Downey Mrs S J Downey Dr M E Edwards Mr R W Falcon Mrs H E Farmbrough Mr M G Flint Mrs S V Flint Mr R Gilbert Mr P A Gilbert Mr T J Gilbert Mrs K Gill Mr J S Hall Mr G R H Hampshire Dr C H G Harrison Mrs E L Harrison Mr P M Hield Professor P J G Henderson Mr G M Hollington Ms S A Holmes Dr D R Ives Mr J M Jarman QC Dr A P Jepson Professor J T Kent The Revd S R Knapton Mr T Kreule Mr S R Kverndal QC Dr C W Lawson Mr A T LawsonCruttenden Professor A E Lee Six Mr J M Lehman Mr R P Lewis Mr R G Lewney Dr D R Lidington Mrs A B Lomas

Mr K S R Macbeath Mrs D J Medlicott Mr W J Medlicott Ms K J Minogue Mr A L Morris Mr R D Morrison Mrs N G Myerson Mr O A Nasr Dr P Nicholls Dr C L Nohre Mrs J H Pennells Ms J C Persey Mr A J Rafferty Mrs R A Rafferty Mr A N Ratcliffe Mr M S Rawlinson Ms R C Ruetsch Mr J Ryding Mr A G Sheard Mr N J Shepherd Mr C N Sherwood Professor A K-L So Mr T J Stirling Mr F D F Thoday Mr J Thorne Rear Admiral I P G Tibbitt CBE Mr G P Tranter Mr K D Tuffnell Mr R S Willbourn Miss M S Woodruff Mr J T Young Mrs E J Young Professor J S Ziegel 1981 – 1990 Mr I Anderson Mr J H Barker Sir Terence Beckett Dr S A Bew Mrs C L Bewick Mrs C L Calderwood Rev’d J M Casement Mr A M R Clarke Mr C F O’Connell Mr D T K Dagg Mr Y R Dallal Mrs H C Dauris Mr M Deans Ms A Emmans Dean Mr J Donnelly Miss J T Evans Ms M A Farlow Mr T Furusawa Mrs Y Furusawa Mr D G Garton Mrs S L Gore Mr N D F Gray Mrs H M Gyssler Mrs C L Hocking Mr N E Kempton Dr C C Lee Dr J J H Lowther Mr R H McClean Dr W W Meyer Dr J G Miller Dr J S Minshull Mr S D Murphy Mr C F O’Connell Mr A G Packwood Dr J C T Pepperell Dr A J V Philp

Mr R J Piggott Mr F J Proud Dr C Proukakis Mr R A Salmon Mr S Shah Dr J R Smallwood Mr A R B Smith Mr D Sookun Mrs J A Sourry Knox Mr K Tachibana Mr R M Trachok, II Mr K Tugnait Mrs E J Warburton Dr C A White Mr I R Wilton Dr D M C Wong Mr R T Wood Mrs S L ZijderveldDarke 1991 and after Mr G F de Andrade Mrs G N Appleton Miss S Banerjee Professor J G Basker Miss C L Bennett Dr J S G Biggs Mr J D Blake Mr M Bouchard Dr R E Brigety Mr M R Burcher Miss L J Caton Mr K Y Chou Miss L A Cohen Mr G E S Coltman Mr T M Crease Professor Dame Sandra Dawson Reverend I M Delinger Mrs J M Fisher Miss H C Fogg Mr B W Fox Miss A M Graham Mr S D Hobbs Mr M A Horley Mr K T HuxleyRobinson Mr B G Kilpatrick Professor J W Lauher Miss A S Lisulo Ms C J Mance Mr G J Martindale Mr S P McDermott Miss D Ngara Miss H V North Mr R P Osborn Mr E L Owen Miss C H Perry Dr J M Richards Mr C A Rudd Miss S T Sakhare Miss N Salemohamed Mr S J Salji Professor Hagen Schulze Professor and Mrs M S Scott Morton Dr D S Tawfik Mrs M A Thorburn Mr M J Townsend Dr T C Viles Mr R B Williams

RECENT EVENTS Spring Dinner at Armourers’ Hall

On 9 November, the Choir of Sidney Sussex College gave a wonderful concert of English Church Music from the 17th to 21st centuries.

Director of Music David Skinner introduced the programme, and conducted the Choir.

After the concert, members of the Choir joined alumni for a buffet dinner in the Mong Building.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS CROMWELL DAY, 11 OCTOBER 2008 “None climbs so high…”

To mark the 350th anniversary of the death of the College’s most famous alumnus, Oliver Cromwell, the Society has organized a day of events to which all members are warmly invited.

The first part of the programme will start with coffee and biscuits in College in the Mong Room from 10.30. Ian Stephen will introduce the day at 11.00. There will then be two talks followed by a buffet lunch. The first talk, by Professor Derek Beales, will be about Cromwell’s association with the College, including the reburial of the head in the College grounds, which Derek is the only person still living to have witnessed. There will then follow an illustrated talk by Roy Sherwood (1966) entitled “With more than regal pomp”: the magnificent state funeral of Oliver Cromwell’.

Roy is an historian who has made a special study of Cromwell. His books include The Court of Oliver Cromwell and Oliver Cromwell King In All But Name 1653–1658.

The second part of the programme will be a return coach trip from the College to Huntingdon, where Cromwell was born and went to school. Our party has been given special access to the Cromwell Museum, the Record Office and All Saints Church. At the museum, the Curator, John Goldsmith, has kindly agreed to be on hand and give us a short introductory talk. At the Record Office, the Archivists Alan and Lesley Akeroyd, have generously agreed to put on a display of Cromwell documents and anything they have with a connection to the College. They will say a few words about what’s on show. At All Saints Church, tea will be provided. The Church Secretary, Richard Hough, will then welcome us and give a short talk about the church. The Museum and the Record Office can only handle 25 people at one time, so we will split into two groups for these visits.

Christmas with St John’s, Oxford The Sidney Sussex Society’s 2008 Christmas Party will again be held at the Royal Naval Reserve Shore Establishment, HMS President, in December, 2008.

A Concert of English Church Music

PLEASE NOTE, THIS MEANS THAT NUMBERS GOING TO HUNTINGDON ARE LIMITED TO 50, SO PLEASE BOOK EARLY! There is no limit on numbers for any other part of the day.

On 24 April 2008, the Sidney Sussex Society held its Spring Dinner in the historic setting of Armourer’s Hall, London. The group was joined by the Master of the Armourers’ & Brasiers’ Company, Prof. William Bonfield, CBE, FRS, FREng (also Cambridge Emeritus Professor of Medical Materials) and former Master of the Company, Richard Crabb (Sidney, 1957).

The third part of the programme will take place back in College and will start with an exhibition of Cromwell artefacts owned by the College which will be displayed in the Library (Garden Court) where the College Archivist, Nicholas Rogers, will say a few words about each item. This will be followed by drinks and a three course dinner in the Old Library. Note: The display will be open to all, whether or not attending the drinks and dinner. A booking form is enclosed.

Alumni dine with members of the Choir

Medical and Veterinary Society Reunion Dinner Alumni working as doctors and veterinarians gathered in College on 2 February 2008 for a lecture entitled “In Sickness and in Power” by the Right Honourable the Lord David Owen (1956), alumnus and Honorary Fellow of the College.

ENGINEERS’ DINNER Sidney engineers will want to note now Saturday, 7 February 2009, as the night of the next triennial dinner for engineers being organised by the Sidney Sussex Society.

It will be held in Hall as usual. All who have studied, or are studying, Engineering at Sidney will be welcome. Application forms will be circulated in the autumn.

The Lecture was followed by a black-tie dinner in Hall.

Cromwell in Nîmes Cromwell has been wintering in the South of France. More precisely, the plaster bust of Cromwell that normally glares at meetings in the Old Library and John Cranch’s Gothick painting of the Wilkinson Head were on loan to the exhibition ‘Tête à Tête’ at the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Nîmes from 15 November 2007 to 13 February 2008. This display, curated by Barry Barker and Peter Seddon of the University of Brighton, was based round Delaroche’s 1831 painting Cromwell découvrant le cercueil de Charles Ier, and examined the iconography of the executed King and the posthumously beheaded Protector, as well as more general issues relating to regicide and republicanism. In conjunction with the exhibition a bilingual volume of essays was published. Pascal Trarieux, in his preface, noted that it was appropriate that Nîmes should host the exhibition since in 1657 Cromwell had interceded successfully with Cardinal Mazarin on behalf of the city, at that time a Protestant stronghold in the Languedoc.

Lord David Owen with the Master, Professor Gabriel Horn, Sidney Sussex Society Chairman Ian Stephen and medical alumni of the College.

The Sidney Club of Geneva Dinner and Parliament visit The 2007 Sidney Club of Geneva Annual Dinner was held on 9 June at the 4-star Hotel du Lac, Coppet on the shores of Lake Geneva. The Master gave the keynote speech: “Business education in the global economy.”

In March 2008, the group visited the Swiss Federal Parliament in session, for a guided tour and discussion, followed by a tour of the old town of Berne and dinner in a local restaurant frequented by MPs. The members of the Club and their guests were received by the Conseillère Nationale (Mme RothBernasconi) of the Swiss Federal Parliament.

This year alumni from our Oxford sister College, St. John’s, will also be invited.

Sidney Sussex Society members wishing to find out more about Geneva Club events are encouraged to contact Dr Ajit Bhalla, Telfax: +4122 776 1487.

Email: abhalla33@windowslive.com

Sidney alumni at the 2007 Christmas Party, at HMS President

Club members in front of the Parliament Building, with MP Mme Maria Roth-Bernasconi

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Alumni Rugby and the “Dashwood Cup” For the first time in living memory, Sidney Sussex College was witness to a clash of mind and body on the rugby field between its very best past and present Rugby Union players. The match was played hard and fast, with impressive displays of stamina and skill from both sides, resulting in a convincing win for the Old Boys team, with 24 points to 5.

The two sides were competing for the newly inaugurated Dashwood Cup, in honour of the highly respected Law Fellow and Patron of the Porcupines, Professor Alan Dashwood. The trophy was presented to the victors by Professor Dashwood himself, as a large crowd of Sidneyites – including the Master and Dr. Tim Bayliss Smith, a Sidney Captain from the late 60’s and now a Geography fellow at St. Johns – looked on.

Divisions were quickly forgotten, and both sides celebrated together late into the night, retelling memories of rugby games long gone and hopes of victories to come. The whole day was a great success, with all promising to return next year and for as long as their joints would allow them.

I hope that next year the response will be even greater from alumni. Even if your playing days are over, heed the wise words of John Dickenson: “The pub is as much a part of rugby as the playing field.”

I hope to see you there next year, for what promises to be another great day out.

Alex Bescoby, SSRUFC Captain 2007-8 and SSRUFC President 2008-09 email: ab675@cam.ac.uk.

Greece and Southern Italy In his Otto Smail Prize Essay, Joe White (2007) gives an account of a journey through Greece and Southern Italy In a desperate attempt to escape the 2007 summer floods, a friend and I packed our rucksacks and headed for Athens, little knowing that we would be swapping floods for fires!

After landing at the International Airport, we reluctantly left the cool of its air-conditioned foyer to negotiate the thirty-five kilometre journey to the city itself – and so began our fortnight of travelling around Greece and Italy.

For someone who had never been further south than the Lizard in Cornwall, it was quite a struggle to adjust to Mediterranean temperatures in excess of forty degrees, but with the Acropolis as a backdrop and fortified by frappé, we set about exploring the Greek capital.

The ancient world that centred on the Mediterranean is generally regarded as the bedrock of Western civilisation, and I have always been fascinated by its history, art and architecture. Although I studied Latin, art and history at GCSE level, following a scientific route with my A levels meant that I was unable to study this area in any real depth. However, I had always wanted to visit the sites themselves and experience the Mediterranean culture at first hand. With the help of the Otto Smail travel award, this trip gave me the opportunity to do so.

Despite turning up a year too early to visit the controversial New Acropolis Museum, our whistle-stop tour of the various cultural sites in Athens made a great introduction to the area.

The next day, we decided to move on from the capital, making a scarily early start (particularly when you factor in the time difference) in order to catch a ferry from the port of Piraeus to Santorini, a small circular archipelago of volcanic islands and the southernmost member of the Cyclades. Approaching the massive caldera by sea was one of the highlights of the trip, with its brooding black cliffs looming up in front of the ferry. The next few days were spent exploring Santorini’s archaeology, whitewashed clifftop villages and hidden coves – and praying that the dilapidated buses would make it round the next precipitous corner! My friend also decided to go sea-cave diving (presumably in search of the fabled city of Atlantis, which is rumoured to have once been on Santorini…) As I am not a trained diver, I declined to join him and picked what I thought was the safer option of visiting the modern volcano in the centre of the caldera. Although it has remained dormant since the last eruption in 1950, there are plenty of hot springs and fumaroles to act as a reminder of the magma chambers just a few kilometres

Our arrival in Italy was somewhat overshadowed by being sold an ‘impossible’ train ticket to Pompeii. After trying (very hard) to make connections at various stations between Bari and Pompeii, we found ourselves stranded, at midnight, somewhere north of Naples. Faced with a night on the station platform we made our decision and in true backpacking style … caught a taxi to our next hostel! As we approached Pompeii at one in the morning, the dark silhouette of Mount Vesuvius loomed above us, an even more imposing sight than the cliffs of Santorini. The next day, we climbed to its summit for spectacular views of the Gulf of Naples, with the city and its suburbs sprawling disturbingly close to the edge of the volcano itself. One sprained ankle later (my companion, not me) and we were back in the town, walking (or hobbling) around the site of Pompeii’s ancient settlement. It was amazing to see the devastation that took place here. Even though the destruction of Pompeii took place so long ago, the stark reminder of what happened is ever-present and it is shocking to see how densely populated the whole region still is today.

Time to leave Santorini, and we discovered that all the ferries back to Piraeus were fully booked. This forced us to take a plane to Athens from the main island’s tiny airport – my friend narrowly escaping ‘the bends’ after his dive the day before! From Athens, we caught the next coach to Delphi and embarked on a journey that took us through some stunning mountain scenery – so stunning, in fact, that we missed our stop and had to persuade a rather irritated driver to let us off so that we could walk back to the town. Both the modern town and the archaeological site are perched on the south-western spur of Mount Parnassus in a dramatic, eagle’s eyrie location. Delphi was the site of the Delphic oracle, the most important oracle in the classical Greek world. It was also the location of the Pythian Games, one of the forerunners of the modern Olympic Games.

After two nights in Pompeii, we moved north to Rome and spent the remainder of our time exploring this beautiful city. Although we ‘did’ the ancient sites, I had not expected to find the Renaissance art and architecture so breathtaking. It would take another thousand words to even begin to express how much I loved Rome, and two days were certainly not enough. I plan to go back as soon as possible to linger, soak in the atmosphere, continue sampling the Roman pizzerias and then head up north to explore the Renaissance art and architecture of Florence and Venice.

Delphi

From Delphi, we travelled around the Gulf of Corinth to the Peloponnese Peninsula and stayed in Olympia, the site of the classical Olympic Games. The games were held every Olympiad, or four years, but were abolished in 394 AD by Emperor Theodosius I as they were reminiscent of paganism. However, the modern Olympic torch is still lit here, using the reflection of sunlight in a mirror. Little did we know, sitting in the idyllic calm of the landscaped grounds, that only a few kilometres away, the devastating forest fires were beginning to rage…

Joe White (2007)

It was only once we were on the ferry to Bari that footage began to flood in of fire-fighters tackling the conflagration in Olympia. The dramatic images showed the places we had been standing in only the day before, the fierce flames reflected in the marble. The fires turned out to be the largest wildfires in the history of Europe, and arguably the largest

Sidney is top of the pops!

Mercury Music Prize in 2006, and won Mixmag’s Album of the Year award.

For Sidneyites, the names Al Doyle and Felix Martin bring memories of two former English students, but for dance fans everywhere these names constitute two fifths of the British band Hot Chip.

The Warning was the breakthrough for the band, and their first release on a major label (EMI). However, even before the release of this album, they had attracted the attention of many discerning music fans through internet websites, specialist radio programmes, word of mouth and their incredible live shows. Ever since releasing their first LP in 2004, they have had a loyal and ever growing fan base, on both sides of the Atlantic.

In recent years Hot Chip have ascended to become one of Britain’s foremost dance/indie groups. Their latest album, Made In The Dark charted in January at number 4 in the UK, while Ready For The Floor, the first single released from Made In The Dark, reached number 6 in the single’s chart. This mainstream success is coupled with critical praise from the music press.

They have received numerous accolades from many sources but notably their second album, The Warning, was nominated for the

environmental disaster in Greek history. The day after we left Olympia, the town was evacuated with many of the transport systems across the Peloponnese grinding to a halt.

below the surface – plus a rather worrying sentence in the guidebook, which reads: ‘After the last eruption of Nea Kameni in 1950, the Santorini volcano remains dormant until today.’

Next time, I think I’ll go cave diving!

Pass it On Calling all Sidney ex-rowers: Sidney Sussex Boat Club will be holding a dinner for the college’s ex-rowing alumni on 1 November to help raise funds for a new women’s VIII. Please come! Details from the Boat Club Captain, Michael Marsh, at mrm42@cam.ac.uk.

Congratulations to: Her Honour Judge Katharine Marshall (1977), who became a Circuit Judge on 14 April 2008. She has been assigned to the Western Circuit, and will be working in Portsmouth.

Professor Henderson (1950), who has been made an Honorary Fellow of Cardiff University, following the integration/fusion of what used to be the University of Wales College of Medicine with Cardiff University – in recognition of “international excellence in research and contribution to the development of cardiac services in Wales”.

Dr John Murton (1991) who has moved to Mauritius as British High Commissioner, covering Mauritius, Madagascar and Comoros.

Mark Russell (1996), now Associate Professor in the Liberal Arts College of Concordia University, Montreal, has published “Between Tradition and Modernity: Aby Warburg and the Public Purposes of Art in Hamburg, 1896–1918” (New York: Berghahn Books, 2007).

Simon Taylor (1980) has published “Privatisation and Financial Collapse in the Nuclear Industry – the Origins and Causes of the British Energy Financial Crisis of 2002” (Routledge) based on his experience advising the government on the privatisation of the British nuclear power industry in 1996. In April 2007, he also became a University Lecturer in Finance at the Judge Business School.

If any College member is willing to offer advice or assistance to fellow College Members and would like to publish details in Pheon, please write to the Editor with the relevant information.

Pantheon, in Rome

one of the “buzz-tips” for the Texas festival/industry showcase South-BySouthwest, and attracted 500 metre queues from fans, journalists and music scouts, all eager to see them play live.

Their live shows are a key weapon in the band’s armoury. Their sets are musically very tight and the songs never fail to get the club dancing but they also have an intense stage presence and are able to rework, or cover songs that demonstrate the band’s vast and eclectic knowledge of popular music from the last 50 years. Hot Chip shows are seldom forgotten in a hurry.

Hot Chip are part of a small (but increasing) number of British bands that are achieving success in America. This is partly due to their American label DFA, and partly due to the internet- especially sites like the Chicago-based Pitchforkmedia.com. This American interest was evident when, in 2006, Hot Chip were

Pheon aims to keep Members of Sidney Sussex informed about their College and about each other. Articles and photographs will be most welcome; they should be forwarded to: Zoe Swenson-Wright, Assistant Editor, Pheon Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge CB2 3HU Tel: 01223-338864 Fax: 01223-338884 Email: zs205@sid.cam.ac.uk

With the new album released, and a slew of dates in Europe and America coming up, things are looking very bright for the boys from Sidney Sussex.

Daniel Sargeant (2007)

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Stock up early on Sidney Sussex Christmas cards!

Phone Wendy Hedley (01223-338881) for a selection.

THE SIDNEY SUSSEX NEWSLETTER

Remembering Charles Fellowship in Law. He would also have been delighted at the growing range of exciting events organised by the Sidney Sussex and the Thornley Societies, reported on pp. 2 and 3.

You will find enclosed with this edition of Pheon a brochure introducing the Charles Larkum Fund for Music, and inviting you to contribute in memory of Charles.

In January, Sidney became a two-Dame College when Ann Dowling joined the Master as a Dame of the British Empire, for her Services to Science. She was honoured in the New Year’s List for her work on aeronautics and energy.

Since then we have all been basking in her reflected glory, and by way of appreciation we publish here a short account of her pioneering work on designing a silent aircraft.

Charles played a major part in attracting new funds to the College, and would have been particularly pleased with the successful completion of the endowment of the Thornely

The vitality of the wider Sidney community is also evident in alumni contributions to this issue, which include an edited version of the talk on Sidney women that Sally Simmons gave at this year’s Society Christmas Party, Alex Massie’s account of his work in Kenya and the first in a series of profiles of historic College characters by Richard Humphreys, who is writing a history of the College.

Finally, as I am now acting as Editor of both Pheon and the Annual, can I take this opportunity to appeal for any information about yourselves, or other Sidney alumni, that you think would be of interest to readers of the annual. My email address is jblm2@cam.ac.uk.

June 2007

CONTENTS

Charles with Freddie

Professor Dame Ann Dowling’s Silent Aircraft Initiative Professor Dame Ann Dowling came to Sidney as the Robert Angus Research Fellow in 1977 and was elected to an Official Fellowship in 1979, when she became University Assistant Lecturer in Engineering.

environmental and social consequences of nanotechnologies.

much noise as the engines, as air rushes over the flaps, slats and undercarriage.

The Silent Aircraft Initiative Ann Dowling is currently UK head of the Silent Aircraft Initiative, a collaboration between researchers at Cambridge University and MIT which recently released the conceptual design of an ultra-low noise and fuel efficient aircraft, the SAX40 (http://silentaircraft.org/SAX40/).

The SAX40 will be virtually silent – emitting sound so faint it can hardly be heard outside the perimeter of an airport in a day-time urban environment. Professor Dowling’s group believes that this can be achieved not through a single new design feature, but by analysing all of the sources of noise in current aircraft, and taking steps to dramatically reduce each one.

At take-off, most of the noise of a conventional aircraft is due to its engines, particularly the fans and high speed propulsive jets. At approach, however, the airframe generates as

The new ultra-high-bypass engines will be designed for low noise and be located over the wings of the plane, so that sound can be shielded by the body of the plane from listeners on the ground. Long engine exhaust ducts with acoustic liners will also help by absorbing noise.

Photo: Collection of Prof. Dame Ann Dowling

She is now Head of the Energy, Fluid Mechanics & Turbomachinery Division of the Engineering Department, with more honours and academic distinctions to her name than could easily fit into this issue of Pheon! In 2003, she was much in the news as Chair of the Royal Society and Royal Academy of Engineering study on nanotechnology, an in-depth investigation of the potential benefits and the health,

The engines have variable area exit nozzles which enable them to operate with quiet low-speed exhaust jets at take-off and during the climb, and then burn minimal fuel while cruising.

The airframe is designed for lower approach speeds, which means lower noise. Also the design has no flaps or slats, thereby eliminating the two largest airframe noise sources, and the undercarriage has fairings, which reduces its noise.

We congratulate Professor Dame Ann Dowling both on her very well-deserved honour, and on her contribution to the SAX40 and many other innovative engineering projects designed to improve the quality of life for all of us.

Ann Dowling with a model of the SAX40

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22 ISSUE TWENTY TWO

James Mayall Editor Photo by Charles’s brother Tony Larkum

With Charles Larkum’s death in November last year, Pheon lost an Editor who brought to the role both enthusiasm and flair. His is a hard act to follow; he will be fondly remembered at Sidney for many years to come. Among his many other kindnesses, Charles made a final gift to the College that has allowed us to establish the Charles Larkum Fund for Music, following on from the Dorothy Larkum Reading Prize set up in 2005. As the music programme at Sidney Sussex continues to grow and to take centre stage, we hope that the Charles Larkum Fund for Music will be a lasting source of support.

Sidney’s “Distrest Poet” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Thornely Society Success! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 The first Women in College . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Forthcoming Musical Events . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 The Organ Scholars’ Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 The Sidney Sussex Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Students in Kenya . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 The Master’s new Portrait . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Sidney’s Prize-winning Cuisine . . . . . . . . . . 4 Pass it On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Diary Dates for 2007 9 June

Sidney Club of Geneva Annual Dinner, Hotel du Lac, Coppet

11 June

Evensong for Voices and Viols: the Sidney Choir and viol consort Fretwork.

18 June

May Week Concert

15 October

Thornely Society Celebration

9 November

Sidney Sussex Society Choir Concert

17 November

1596 Foundation event

10 December

Sidney Sussex Society Christmas Party – HMS President

Diary Dates for 2008 February (TBA)

Thornely Society Lecture

2 February

Sidney Sussex Society Medical and Veterinary Dinner: Speaker Lord David Owen

April (TBA)

Thornely Society Dinner

24 April

Sidney Sussex Society Spring Dinner, Armourers’ Hall

10 May

Sidney Sussex Society – MA Graduation Dinner

11 October (TBC)

Cromwell Day

Commemoration of Benefactors Dates for 2007–2008 Forthcoming dinners for those who matriculated in: 30 June 2007 22 September 2007 28 June 2008 27 September 2008

1994–1995 1971–1973 1964–1966 1996–1997

Forthcoming events are posted on the College website at: http://www.sid.cam.ac.uk/alumni/events/events.html

The Progress of a Sidney Rake – William Pattison “So died in the twenty-first year this talented but reckless young man…. From the extreme licentiousness of his poetry the world was a gainer by his death, and Sussex can take little credit for having given him birth. Most of his poems were written before he was nineteen, and they show a moral depravity quite remarkable for that early period of life…”

Thus wrote Mark Antony Lower in his ‘The Worthies of Sussex’ (1865). The ‘reckless’ young man was William Pattison (1706–1727), a native of Peasmarsh in Sussex, who arrived at Sidney in July 1724. He left two years later having excised his name from the College register and left on his cut-up gown the following verses: Whoever gives himself the pains to Stoop, And take my venerable tatters up; To his presuming Inquisition I, In Loco Pattisoni thus reply: Tir’d with the senseless jargon of the Gown, My Master left the College, for the Town; He laughs at Follies he once endur’d; And scorns his precious minutes to regale, With wretched College-Wit, and College Ale; Far nobler Pleasures open to his View, Pleasures for ever Sweet! For ever New! Pattison had fallen out with his disciplinarian Sidney Tutor, John Bell, and, fearing that he might be sent down, left of his own accord to lead the life of a poet in London. The reasons for his dispute with Bell seem to be that he was, as his biographer wrote, more likely, at the very least, to be found ‘Versifying at Sidney College, or Angling on the Banks of the River Cam’, than undertaking his scholarly studies and the ‘public disputations’ he so loathed. A fascinating correspondence between Pattison and his Cambridge friends survives which shows that they and some of the Fellows were keen for him to return, but that Pattison’s own love of London’s literary life and Bell’s hostility prevented this happening. Among those Fellows who supported his return were the future Master John Adams and the distinguished philosopher John Gay. Pattison was addicted to sex and his letters and poetry are full of carnal matters. He wrote to his Sidney friend Benjamin Wase: ‘Yesterday I fell in Love with a Lady in the Park; I took the Freedom of the Place, offered my Addresses, which at first she received coily, but awaiting upon her to her Lodgings, I found after some modest struggles of Honour, that, to speak poetically…’ and he goes on in verse to describe his successful seduction and the resulting ‘vast sea of Extacy’ he and his love object enjoyed. Many of his poems describe in detail his amorous exploits and fantasies, with their ‘panting Bubbies’, ‘pretty dying eyes’ and ‘fierce Transfusion of exchanging Hearts’.

The likely nature of those activities in Cambridge which led to Bell’s disapproval are perhaps best indicated by his poem, ‘Nancy The Bed-Maker’: ‘Twas once upon a summer’s day, As on my downy bed I lay: All over in tedious sweat, To ease my limbs, and cool the heat; When pretty Nancy gently came, Nancy the object of my flame!

So soft she looked, so sweet, so fair, With such a winning, yielding air; With such an easy comely pride, She seemed a lovely, longing bride!

Obedient to her eyes’ command, I seized her warm consenting hand;

Cambridge, can witness; but what I shall be some few hours hence, I tremble to think….’

He goes on to describe sleeping on benches in St James’s Park and his fears for his health.

He eventually succumbed to ‘small pox’, died in the famous publisher James Curll’s house in the Strand in July 1727, and was buried at St Clement Dane’s, according to his sister, ‘in the best part of the Upper Church Yard’. Her own final judgement on her brother was a counsel of pity for a wasted talent: ‘We ought to draw a veil of Forgiveness over his Imprudencies; and it is to be hoped, that the Fatality of his Example, will have some influence over all such Youth who… let their Heat get the better of their Judgement.’ Pattison was a true child of the ‘Age of Hogarth’, whose famous print ‘The Distrest Poet’ might have been based on our unfortunate Sidneian literary hero.

Upon the downy bed displayed, The unmurmuring, panting, struggling maid.

There ravished, feasted on her charms, Her heaving breast, her twining arms, Her Ivory neck, her roguish eyes, Her slender waist, her taper thighs, With magic beauties these between Too soft; too dazzling to be seen.

Melting, I clasped them close to mine, And in a moment grew divine!

Pattison’s career in London was at first very promising and he seems to have gained the admiration of Alexander Pope, a subscriber to his posthumous ‘Poetical Works’ of 1728, and whose ‘Abelard to Heloise’ he imitated very skilfully. Within a year, however, his letters show a broken young man, reduced to poverty and writing in desperation to Lord Burlington: ‘Sir, What I am, my Proposals will inform you; What I have been, Sidney College, in

Richard Humphreys (1972)

The Choir of Sidney Sussex College Directed by Dr David Skinner Jamal Sutton, Organ Scholar Forthcoming Dates for the Diary Monday, 11 June 2007, 6.30pm Sidney Sussex Chapel Festival Evensong with Viol Consort Fretwork (http://www.fretwork.co.uk) & Consort Singers Alamire (http://www.alamire.co.uk) Thomas Tomkins: Fifth Service and Consort Anthems Sunday, 1 July 2007, 6.30pm Thetford Parish Church Pre-tour Concert Italian Riviera Tour Thursday, 5 July 2007, 3pm Open rehearsal in Choistro del Museo Diocesano, Genova Friday, 6 July 2007, 9pm Concert in Chiesa di S. Pietro, Savignone Sunday, 8 July 2007, 9.15pm Concert in Chiesa di S. Andrea, Levanto Monday, 9 July 2007, 9.15pm Concert in Chiesa di S. Maria, La Spezia Sidney Sussex alumni are warmly encouraged to attend these events!

Additional details will be available on the College website, and via the Director of Music, Dr David Skinner on +44 (0)1223 761563 (director.music@sid.cam.ac.uk).

Sidney Sussex Society Concert Friday, 9 November 2007, 8.30pm Sidney Sussex Chapel English church music from the 17th to 20th centuries

William Hogarth: The Distrest Poet

The first women at Sidney Sussex A speech given at the Sidney Sussex Society’s 2006 Christmas Party

When I think back to that time now, and how ridiculously easy it all seemed, I find myself thinking more and more about another kind of trail. My four grandparents were all born in the first five years of the last century, too young to be involved in the First World War and too old to be active in the second. They all left school at 13. One grandmother went into service and the other worked in the Peek Frean’s biscuit factory in the East End, knocking the dents out of biscuit tins. My grandfathers, both highly intelligent boys, spent their last year at school helping to teach the smaller children. My paternal grandfather wanted to be a doctor, but that was out of the question. He became a village milkman in Kent, and later worked as a clerk at the Arsenal. My mother’s father went to the docks in the East End where he worked as a stevedore. Then the Second World War shook everything up; my father emerged from it a fledgling naval officer and my family found themselves in a completely different social position. It was my place at the end of that trail that brought me to Sidney. That process of educational emancipation over three generations has enormous personal significance for me: being one of the first women at Sidney Sussex is rather a lesser wonder than the fact that the opportunity to go to Cambridge was open to me at all. (The fourth generation, of course, is supremely indifferent to all of this. For my sons Sidney is the place they slip into to eat their sandwiches when they’re in town on Saturday.)

In 2001, Sandra Dawson wrote to all of us, pointing out that it was 25 years since the first 25 women had come up to Sidney, that she was the 25th and first female Master, and that she thought we deserved a party.

It was probably at that party that I first began to appreciate the significance of the arrival of women to Sidney’s history and development. My own arrival at Sidney seems, with hindsight, to have been the result of a mixture of cowardice and naivety.

I applied to Cambridge when I realised I would never be able to handle life as a student in London, which was where I was headed. And I more or less picked Sidney from a catalogue. When you applied to Cambridge in the 1970s you received two prospectuses, the official one and an alternative prospectus written by students.

I sat in the kitchen with my parents and read out the students’ descriptions of all the colleges I could apply to and when I reached Sidney Sussex they both said at once, “That one sounds nice”. It was small, friendly, and none of us had heard of it.

It seemed the perfect place for me.

If I had known then that only 25 women would be admitted, and that we would all have to be at least exhibition standard, I would have given up at that point. But I didn’t know anything, and so I found myself blazing a trail of which I was totally unaware.

Sally Simmons (1976)

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Contact Wendy Hedley on 01223–338881 or wah21@cam.ac.uk if you would like to receive further information about this or other forthcoming Sidney Sussex Society events.

To pre-order a new recording by the Sidney Sussex Chapel Choir, These Distracted Times, due to be released in Autumn 2007 on Obsidian Records, please complete and return the enclosed flyer.

Thornely Society Success!

At the 2007 Thornely Society AGM and Lecture, held on 8 February at the London offices of Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw, Professor Alan Dashwood CBE was delighted to announce that the Society had reached its fundraising target, and that the Thornely Fellowship in Law was fully funded. The Thornely Society will continue to hold its successful annual events, to support the College’s Law students and Fellows, and to build a strong and sustaining network of Sidney lawyers.

Clive Nicholls QC (1955) gave the 2007 Thornely Lecture, entitled “Extradition and the protection of Human Rights: Striking the Right Balance.” Clive Nicholls is Head of Chambers at Three Raymond Buildings, Gray’s Inn, and a specialist in international criminal law, in particular extradition, terrorism, and human rights. His talk will be reprinted in the 2007 College Annual.

Thornely Lecture reception at Mayer, Brown, Rowe and Mawe

Originally set up in the early 1990s to support Sidney rowing and allow rowing alumni to get together, the BCA has recently emerged from a quiet period with a number of successful events in 2006/7.

The Organ Scholars’ Day

The Geographers’ and Geologists’ dinner

On Saturday 21 October 2006, Sidney Sussex held an Organ Scholars’ Day to celebrate 50 years of Sidney Sussex Organ Scholars and their continuing achievements.

Thirteen organ scholars were present, of whom nine performed in a wonderful recital of classical and modern pieces. The senior organ scholar John Hastie (1958) together with Laura Brown (1982) conducted the choir at Evensong, when a speciallycomposed Introit by Alec Crowe (1966) was sung. Professor David Baker (1970) has written a review of this event in The Organ, (www.theorgan.mag), Issue 338, November 2006.

In February 2007 Sidney Sussex held its first dinner for alumni in Geography and Geology.

It attracted a very enthusiastic response, with thirty people attending the whole programme and a still larger number attending part of it.

Boat Race Day 2007 found us at Furnivall Sculling Club once more, hoping to have more to celebrate this time, and we were not disappointed. The hospitality was as warm as ever, and this time both the weather and the result were perfect.

Future events planned include a May Bumps event, starting in college and moving on to the river, on Saturday 16th June 2007, and the Lent Bumps Dinner on Saturday 1st March 2008.

Sidney was delighted to welcome back for this occasion such a dynamic and distinguished group, ranging from senior civil servants, professors, educationalists, and journalists to recent graduates and the current Directors of Studies in Geography. Presiding over one of the five tables at dinner was Dr Rosemary Chorley, the widow and collaborator of Professor Dick Chorley whose achievement it was to build Geography at Sidney into the strong subject it remains today.

The Sidney Club of Geneva 2007 dinner

SSBCA is currently providing financial support to SSBC for training equipment such as heart rate monitors, and aims to support coaching, training and racing by the club.

The“Younger Generation” London gathering

In response to the wishes of those attending, the second dinner will take place in three years’ time.

The 2007 Sidney Club of Geneva Annual Dinner will be held on 9 June, 2007, at the 4star Hotel du Lac, Coppet (on the shores of Lake Geneva about 12 km from the centre of Geneva towards Lausanne). The Master will be this year’s speaker. On 28 April 2007, members of the Sidney Club of Geneva enjoyed a fascinating visit to the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) which included lunch at the University Restaurant, presentations by senior academics and convivial drinks at the end of a stimulating day. Sidney Members attending the event are pictured below:

Members of the SSBCA watch the 2006 Boat Race

SSBCA members are also actively working with the current SSBC committee to seek sponsorship for SSBC. The SSBCA is open to all members of college who ever rowed, coxed, or just supported Sidney rowing, and there is no membership fee. All those who joined the BCA in its earlier incarnation are still on the list of members, and we are keen to welcome many more to our mailing list and to future events. All you need to do to join is to email the Committee Secretary Emma Weisblatt (1983) (ejw44@cam.ac.uk) and/or Wendy Hedley (wah21@cam.ac.uk) and we will add you to our contact list. You may telephone Wendy Hedley on 01223–338881, but we’d particularly like to encourage email correspondence, as this enables us to build a mailing list for forthcoming events.

Hoping to see some of you at the May Bumps!

Dr Emma Weisblatt (1983) Boat Club Association Committee Secretary

1981 Rowing Reunion

On Thursday 21 September 2006, between 100 and 150 “younger generation” Sidney alumni convened at the Pitcher & Piano Pub for a very successful party.

Dr Janice Stargardt (2002) Fellow in Archaeology and Anthropology

The Younger Generation group includes all Sidney graduates from 1990 to current graduates, although the young-at-heart from the 1980s are also encouraged to attend events!

A Visit to the Scott Polar Research Institute

Every September the group organises a get-together at a London pub or restaurant.

Please come and join us.

On 21 April, nearly sixty Sidney members enjoyed a visit to the Scott Polar Research Institute. They were treated to a tour, and a discussion of the work of the Institute by glaciologist Charles Swithinbank and the Institute’s Librarian, Heather Lane, whom Sidney members will remember from her time as the Sidney Sussex College Librarian.

The group then heard a fascinating talk on the Lava Lakes of Mount Erebus by Dr Clive Oppenheimer (1994), University Reader in Volcanology and Remote Sensing in the Department of Geography. This stimulating day was followed by drinks and dinner in College.

These events are very informal, and people turn up at different times throughout the evening. It is a great opportunity to catch up with old friends and see people from your own and other year groups.

Very nearly made that 8 am start; caught no crabs; hit no swans; suffered no seizures, drownings or coronaries – even managed not to trash the boat.

After a 26-year sabbatical, the vintage ‘81 crew and coach congratulate themselves on a highly satisfactory reprise. Back row: Paul Rawlinson, Sue Smith (née Jones, heroically standing in for Alan Curtis), Paul Bethell, Chris Lloyd; Centre: Murray Clayson, Tim Kreule, Grant Philpott, William Medlicott, Simon Robinson; Front: Diane Pengelly.

The 2006 Christmas Party

If you join the email list for the younger generation group, we’ll make sure that you receive information about forthcoming events.

Just send an email to Wendy Hedley at the Membership and Development Office, and she’ll forward your message on to your own Year Representative. Her email address is wah21@cam.ac.uk.

Photo: Lindsay Greer

Julian Blake (2000)

Dr Ajit Bhalla 29, route de Genève, Commugny, CH-1211 Switzerland Telfax: +4122 776 1487 Email: abhalla22@hotmail.com

Another successful evening for the “Younger Generation” group

Heather Lane speaking to Society guests at the Scott Polar Institute

3

Conversations at the 2006 Christmas Party

A record number of Sidney members, just short of one hundred, came to the Sidney Sussex Society’s 2006 Christmas Party, held in a spacious and comfortable set of rooms at HMS President, the Royal Naval Reserve Shore Establishment near St Katharine’s Docks.

Photo: Julian Blake

Sidney Sussex Society members wishing to find out more about Geneva Club events are encouraged to contact the President:

Unfortunately the race itself is best forgotten, but a good time was had by all nonetheless.

SSBCA members also attended the May Bumps breakfast organised by SSBC, joining SSBC members and their families for a very enjoyable start to the last day of the Bumps, followed by an afternoon supporting the Sidney crews on the river.

Professor John Birks, who was undergraduate, graduate, Junior Research Fellow and Official Fellow in Sidney and now holds the chair of Palaeoecology at the University of Bergen in Norway, gave an extremely interesting pre-dinner lecture on “Palaeoecology and Current Environmental Problems – Is palaeoecology still a ‘quaint but irrelevant speciality’?” This was attended, among others, by Professor Birks’ former Sidney colleague and neighbour, Emeritus Professor Harry Whittington, who is now approaching his 91st birthday in sovereign style.

Past and present Sidney Organ Scholars

Members of the Sidney Club of Geneva at EPFL

Boat Race Day 2006 found SSBCA members convening to watch the race in the perfectlyplaced venue of Furnivall Sculling Club, close

by Hammersmith Bridge and with matchless views of the course as well as an excellent bar and a very welcoming atmosphere (although a preponderance of support for the Dark Side was evident in the clubroom).

Photo: Emma Weisblatt

Sidney Sussex Boat Club Association – A Successful Year

The party had a special focus this year: to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the admission of women to the College, Sally Simmons (1976) recalled the early years of women in the College; her talk is reprinted on p. 2.

Sustainable Development of Kenyan Education

Gekonge Mixed Secondary School 2005. “When we arrived at the School the Head Teacher said that we were seated in a library, yet there were no books. Similarly, we were shown the laboratory, yet there were no benches, no gas, no scientific equipment and no chemicals”

Nigel Tumber (centre) and his team of Cambridge chefs

Name

Phone

Address I would like to order

£19

How many?

Postage & Packing

Total

To this extent we have held a number of fundraising events during the past months.

In February we held a bop during One World Week, and we packed out a local venue for a musical event in early March. There was also talk of stocks and rotten tomatoes, but the event I approached with most trepidation was a half marathon at Reading on 25th March. Hopefully, along with other fundraising ventures, we will be able to achieve our targets.

£5.25

£5.00

I enclose payment of My cheque payable to Sidney Sussex College is attached I would like to pay by credit card. Please charge my: VISA

Mastercard

Eurocard

Delta

JCB card

If you would like any further information regarding KEP and our work in Kenya, please contact me using my email address below.

Any support would be much appreciated, both by Melissa and me and the schools and children in Kenya.

3 digit security number (on reverse of card)

Card # Expiry date: Signature

/

Andrew and Peta Cooke (2001), who became engaged to be married last September in the Sidney Sussex gardens.

The couple were married in Sydney, Australia on 16 December 2006, with many Sidney LLM programme alumni in attendance, including Fabio Carvalho (2001), Tanya Bowes (2001), Niall Collins (2001) Matt Coull (2001), Gareth Kenny (2001), Richard Watts (2001) and Brad Haines (2001). Peta is now a Senior Associate at the law firm Mallesons, in Sydney, while Andrew has just finished a course in medicine at Sydney University.

Alec Peschlow, (2000) who was awarded a Young Solicitors Group Pro Bono award for developing an advice service for small businesses during his time as a student on the Legal Practice Course at Nottingham Law School.

In order to invest in the schools, each of the students involved needs to raise £2000. The money will buy books (£3 provides a textbook in Kenya), science equipment (£10 provides a whole class with enough to prepare for and take their science exams) and other investment we feel our schools require (a water tank was supplied in one school to remove the need for children to walk miles to fetch water at lunchtime). The impact of our work where resources are scarce is enormous, with excited children swarming around displays of newly arrived textbooks. This is a hard scene to imagine here in Britain and it shows just how much the Kenyan children appreciate the opportunities that education gives them.

To order, please fill out the attached form and return it to: The Membership & Development Office, Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge CB2 3HU

Pair Square Crystal Tot Glasses Decorated with the Sidney lozenge Height 60 mm

Congratulations to:

I believe wholeheartedly in this project and in the opportunities it gives to young Kenyans.

Furthermore it is an extraordinary opportunity for all us project workers to be able to live in a different culture, learn about ourselves and bring back experiences to Britain. Personally as I am aiming to work in development in the long term, this will provide a wonderful opportunity for me to learn how development can be sustainable and resources targeted efficiently and effectively.

We are introducing crystal tumblers and tot glasses engraved with the Sidney Sussex lozenge. The glasses come in sets of two; traditional skills of engraving are employed to produce the fine detail and pleasing finish.

Each glass is decorated using sandblast engraving techniques before hand finishing.

All glasses will arrive in a satin-lined presentation box.

£25

We have also been told of new websites, from Dr Christopher Whitby (1971) who has launched an international sonnet competition on www.sonnetcompetion.com and from Mark Baczoni (2000) who has set up a new antiquarian book website at www.polygraphrarebooks.co.uk.

KEP’s core philosophy is its standout factor: it emphasises that investing in developing communities should enhance their ability to support themselves, not encourage dependence on external intervention.

Crystal Tumblers and Tot Glasses

Pair Square Crystal Tumblers Decorated with the Sidney lozenge Height 90 mm

Sally Simmons (1976) with Ros Horton has published Women who Changed the World (Quercus Publishing).

growth. Basic resources which are often entirely missing from classrooms, such as books and test tubes, are purchased for the school. In addition, a wider programme is implemented that addresses the management of the school, the health and welfare of the students and the interaction of the school and community. The work is tailored to each school so that it most effectively aids them and their community.

KEP aims to improve education in Kenya by working in direct partnership with secondary schools, developing their capacity for self-led

Sidney’s Deputy Head Chef, Nigel Tumber, headed a “Cambridge Chefs” Team that won the Highly Commended Award in the dessert category at this years TUCO Chefs’ Challenge (the national universities culinary competition) in Blackpool. The standard of cuisine was reported to be very high, and to gain such an award is a splendid achievement.

Price

Dr Niall Johnson (1996) has published a book on influenza pandemics based on his Sidney PhD work: Britain and the 1918–19 Influenza Pandemic: A Dark Epilogue (Routledge Studies in the Social History of Medicine).

Nicholas Shaxson (1985) has published Poisoned Wells: The Dirty Politics of Africian Oil (Palgrave Macmillan).

Sidney’s prizewinning cuisine

Item

2007 sees a number of new Sidney publications:

Name as it appears on card

If any College member is willing to offer advice or assistance to fellow College Members and would like to publish details in Pheon, please write to the Editor with the relevant information.

Pheon aims to keep Members of Sidney Sussex informed about their College and about each other. Articles and photographs will be most welcome; they should be forwarded to: Zoe Swenson-Wright, Assistant Editor, Pheon, Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge CB2 3HU Tel: 01223–338864 Fax: 01223–338884 Email: zs205@cam.ac.uk Historic photo submitted by John Harrison (1963)

On 27 April, the Sidney community celebrated the unveiling of a new portrait of the 25th Master by the distinguished artist Annabel Cullen.

It is quite a leap from the manicured courts and grumpy cats of Cambridge to the plains and highlands of Africa with their elephants and antelope. The contrast between education here in Cambridge and that found in Kenyan secondary schools is even greater. Many organisations and projects are run from the UK and other developed countries to try and address disparities such as this. One such organisation is Kenya Education Partnerships (KEP), a small charity founded by Cambridge alumni. This summer two Sidney students, Melissa Conboy and myself, will be heading out to work with the project. Alongside eight others from Cambridge, we will work in pairs at local secondary schools in the rural Kisii region. Our joint objective is to improve local education through well managed investment.

Pass it on

Photo: Alex Massie

Photo: Zoe Swenson-Wright

The Master in Stereo

Alex Massie (2003) ahm30@cam.ac.uk

Date

The corner of King Street and Malcolm Street in 1965, (before the construction of Blundell Court).

4

THE SIDNEY SUSSEX NEWSLETTER

Every so often, exciting things happen at Sidney and one of them is happening now! In the year in which we celebrate 50 years of Organ Scholars in the College (see page 3), we have made our first appointment to the post of College Director of Music. Just how exciting that is for us you will judge when you read the profile of Dr David Skinner, our new Director of Music, in the article below. David comes to us from a similar post at Magdalen College, Oxford. He has a strong background in choral music and has already made a name for himself in performance and recording.

Sidney isn’t in the same musical league as Magdalen – not yet. But we are ambitious!

Photo: Caroline Penn

The creation of the Director of Music post has been part of that ambition for some years. It has been helped to become a reality by the generosity of a donor closely associated with the College who wishes to remain anonymous.

The donor has been a good friend to music at Sidney, contributing towards the cost of new cassocks for the choir (for which a generous gift was also received from Brian Newman),

and then making a more substantial gift enabling us to recruit choral scholars through the inter-Collegiate scheme. Endowing a Director of Music, however, even on a parttime basis, is of a very different order. The donation for this purpose now exceeds £100,000 and prompted us earlier this year to review College’s own resources to see whether we couldn’t accelerate the appointment.

Photo: Caroline Penn

Sidney takes the musical high road

ISSUE TWENTY ONE August 2006

Students come to us with so much musical talent these days that we have a great need to ensure that talent continues to develop in tandem with their academic skills, and becomes a life-long resource. For this we also need your help. The Director of Music post is fullyfinanced for 5 years, but we need to grow the endowment begun by our donor to around £500,000. That would enable us to make the appointment permanent.

Dress rehearsal in the Chapel

We are also preparing plans for a new performance space of our own. The Master and Fellows have approved in principle a new auditorium on top of the JCR Bar on the garden side of Blundell Court. The auditorium will be capable of taking audiences of up to 150, making it significantly larger than the Mong Hall. Its purpose in part is to develop the College’s conference trade, enabling us to offer a more complete package to larger conferences, since the new hall will integrate with the 90 en-suite rooms created in Blundell Court by last year’s enlargement. Just as important, however, is the contribution the auditorium will make to music and theatrical performance in the College.

What else have we been doing to foster the performance talents of our students? For the past two years we have played host to Yvonne McDevitt, the Judith E. Wilson Fellow appointed by the University Faculty of English in 2004. Yvonne’s appointment coincided with the opening of the Faculty’s new building on West Road and it was her task to inspire students with the potential of the theatrical performance space included in it. She has been a Fellow of Sidney over this period and a real stimulus to our students interested in theatre, as well as being a great enlivener of lunch at High Table. Yvonne is recognised as one of the most exciting young directors in European theatre and we hope to welcome her back to College periodically for the benefit of our students as her career develops.

Building isn’t planned to start for another year and will then take about 14 months to complete. The expected cost is some £2.5 million, a significant part of which has already been earmarked from legacies received by the College. Expect to read more about this important project in future issues of Pheon, and we hope to enjoy your support for it as part of the 800th Campaign.

Please don’t think that our plans to raise Sidney’s musical profile mean that we have taken our eye off the academic ball. Very far from it! Our first task will always be to make sure that students coming to Sidney fulfil their academic potential.

And, we’re pleased to report that we’re getting better at it. Tripos results this summer were the best for the past decade, continuing an improving trend and lifting us back where we want to be – in the top ten Colleges in the performance league tables. In 2005 72.8% of Sidney students gained firsts or 2.1s compared with the university-wide average of 72.1%. This year Sidney’s percentage has risen sharply to 76.7%. We don’t know the university figure yet, but expect it to be only modestly different from last year’s.

Particularly good performances were achieved by Natural Sciences, after much hard work to raise standards, and our results in Medicine have also improved noticeably. We have tended to do better on the arts side in recent years, and this continued with a particularly good result in English.

CONTENTS Change in the Porters’ Lodge . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Farewell to the Sports Ground . . . . . . . . . . .2 The care of Cromwell’s head . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Editorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Thank you to Donors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Visit to St John’s Oxford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Celebrating 50 Years of Organ Scholars . . .3 Clipping the Dragon’s wings . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 The Thornely Society Lecture 2006 . . . . . . .3 Dame Sandra passes on the baton . . . . . . . .4 What’s in a name? – last word . . . . . . . . . .4 Pass it on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Diary Dates for 2006/07 21 October 2006

Our new Director of Music

Organ Scholars’ Day

11 November 2006

1596 Foundation dinner

4 December 2006

Society’s Christmas Party

10 February 2007

Geographers/Geologists Reunion Dinner Thornely Society Lecture

February 2007 5 April 2007 14 April 2007 12 May 2007 19 May 2007

“Poured forth her song...”

Back in the Top Ten

21

Spring Dinner / Visit to Scott Polar Research Institute Thornely Society Dinner MA Graduation dinner 1596 Foundation dinner

Commemoration of Benefactors Dinners in 2006–2008

We are delighted to introduce Dr David Skinner, who was appointed last month from a very strong field to the new post of Director of Music at Sidney Sussex.

Dates for those who matriculated in: 23 September 2006 30 June 2007 22 September 2007 28 June 2008 27 September 2008

David is primarily known for his combined role as a researcher and performer of early music, and has written widely on the music and musicians of early Tudor England. Recent publications include the collected works of Nicholas Ludford (Early English Church Music, 2003 & 2005) and The Arundel Choirbook (Duke of Norfolk: Roxburghe Club, 2003). Work-in-progress includes the Latin church music of John Sheppard and (as coauthor) a book on Music and the Reformation.

to a number of professional vocal ensembles, including the Hilliard Ensemble, The Tallis Scholars, The Sixteen, and several of the Oxford and Cambridge College choirs. He currently directs the vocal consort Alamire (www.alamire.co.uk).

David was co-founder of the award-winning ensemble The Cardinall’s Musick, and produced more than 25 recordings with them during his time as co-artistic director (1989–2004). He has served as academic adviser and music editor

David was a British Academy Postdoctoral Fellow at Christ Church, Oxford from 1997 to 2001 and then Lecturer in Music and Coordinator of Musical Activities at Magdalen College from 2001 to 2006. At Magdalen he

David Skinner

1

1977–1979 1994–1995 1971–1973 1964–1966 1996–1997

conducted Magdala, its mixed-voice chapel choir, producing innovative recordings for prestigious patrons that included the British Museum, British Library, Victoria and Albert Museum and the Getty Museum in Los Angeles.

As a record producer his career has been extensive and studded with award-winning projects. These included two Gramophone Awards (and three runners-up positions), the Diapason d’Or, Deutsche Schallplatten, and a Grammy nomination.

It is going to be exciting having him amongst us.

Goodbye to the Sports Ground

The sports ground is 22 acres in an area of 320 acres to the east of Huntingdon Road (and centred on the National Institute for Agricultural Botany’s experimental acreage) for which planning permission is being sought as part of the programme to meet the government’s target of 2,800 new homes in the Cambridge sub-region by 2016.

Had the two colleges chosen to keep the sports ground it would have become designated recreational land within a developed site and future possibilities for realising a land gain would have been lost permanently. In practice both Colleges concluded independently that they should participate in the development consortium.

This means parting company at the sporting level.

Sidney expects to share St John’s sports ground on Queens’ Road from October 2007.

There is a real sense of excitement in College about the developments reported on our front page, and the excitement is all the greater coming on the back of the continued improvement in our academic performance.

The appointment of a Director of Music and provision of better performance facilities are things that have long been wished for, but they have always seemed just that bit out of reach.

In the last issue, I said that we would take the opportunity to celebrate 30 years of women at Sidney in Pheon, and invited those in residence in and around 1976 to let me have their memories of that very important, earlier change in the life of the College.

I have had to change plans this issue for space reasons, but intend to make good on 1976 in the next issue. However, I regret to report that I have not so far been overwhelmed by serious and/or witty comments from the pioneer generation, and appeal to you again to get in touch. There must be some wonderful stories out there.

Well, we have now taken the plunge and committed ourselves. We need your support financially to turn these initiatives into a permanent success, which is why we have given music and the performing arts such a high profile in our 800th Anniversary Appeal campaign. If we succeed, the century ahead will be a very different one for Sidney. We will attract more broadly talented applicants, create a more stimulating environment inside the College, and raise our profile in the wider world. Do support us if you can.

*

*

*

Back to music, and congratulations to Chris Page, University Reader in Medieval Music and Literature (and Sidney Fellow of course). For many years Chris directed the award-winning Gothic Voices, and earlier this year won a resounding seal of approval from Gramophone. Celebrating its 1000th issue, Gramophone published its 100 Greatest Recordings of all time and Hildegard von Bingen’s A Feather on the Breath of God, recorded by Gothic Voices in 1981, was amongst them.

And do come if you can to the Society’s day on 21 October (see page 3), when we celebrate the achievements of our Organ Scholars over 50 years. *

*

*

Charles Larkum, Editor

That Providence which had so long the care of Cromwell’s Head is subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act and we were required by one member of the public to make available all the records held by the College relating to the whereabouts of Cromwell’s head.

The opening lines of Andrew Marvell’s A Poem upon the Death of His Late Highness, the Lord Protector have a special resonance for Sidney members. This is especially true for those in residence since 1960, when the head at last found rest in the Antechapel, as they have literally been part of that Providence.

Well played

Fortunately, knowledge of the burial place is known only to a few senior members of the College and is transmitted orally. No records to disclose! And the secret remains intact.

And, as recent experience has shown, the care of providence remains as active as ever. College

Thank you to all who have supported Sidney Sussex in 2005–2006 We are very grateful to all Members and friends of the College who have supported the Cambridge 800th Anniversary Campaign with a gift to Sidney.

Thanks especially to those who have made special gifts – for access bursaries or study awards, or for the upkeep of a particular subject or activity. To those who have given anonymously, your names may not be listed here but we thank you wholeheartedly.

Friends of the College Mrs D A Atkinson Mrs P B W Begg Mrs B K Browning Mr A D Cooper Ms J K Coull The Ann D Foundation Mr Henry Dawson Dr I S Evans Mrs K Gledhill Mr & Mrs K Haith Mrs S Howley Mr J R Kenn Prof Joseph W Lauher Mr R H McLean Mr and Mrs M B Owen Mr H J Philling Mr and Mrs I Russell Mrs E H Sealy Mrs S E Tyrrell

Members 1940 and before Mr I P Allnutt Mr P G Andrews Mr L J Ashford Mr R A Barber Prof D E Blackwell Dr J F Buchan Dr M W Cemlyn-Jones Mr E W Espenhahn Mr W French Mr J W F Gardiner Mr J C Gaskell Revd G H Gillespie Mr D H Griffiths OBE Mr C M H Harrison Mr J B Hoyle Dr A I MacLeod Mr D R Mather

Mr S V Meinhardt Revd M B Perkins Mr J A Porter Dr J H B Roy Dr J M W Sedgwick Prof C T Shaw Lt-Col and Mrs D R Stenhouse Mr B A Timbs

1941 - 1950 Prof J W Allen Mr G G Bannerman Dr R B Bennet Prof R N Bracewell Mr J Brock Mr D D Bromley-Challenor Mr A T Brown Dr L F Brunt Mr G W Buckley Mr A M Burgess Prof K J Carpenter Mr W G E Chilton Mr J H Clement Mr G Darby Mr B G P Dobson Dr A L Downing Mr H H I Easterling Mr P R Ellis Mr J C Emmerson Mr M L Fenwick Mr M P Fogden Mr I G Forman Reverend Canon A J S Freeman Hon Sir Patrick Garland Mr C F Herzberg Prof M Hobsley Mr D R Howard Mr G B C Hughes Mr F B Johnson

Dr J H Jones Dr L C Laming Mr A H Lancashire Mr A S Lawson Mr W Leslie Mr W F S Letten Mr C M Mitchell Mr G V R Moulding Dr J C Newell-Price Prof B E J Pagel Dr N Peacock Mr A J Peeler Revd Canon D F Rees Dr C M Reeves Mr J Reynolds Mr K Reynolds Mr D G M Roberts CBE Rt Revd J H G Ruston Mr E N Scott Mr J A Shepherd Mr N E Shepherd Mr I J Smith Mr J B Smith Mr D L Walker Mr K J Woodrow Dr N Wright

1951 - 1960 Mr J V R Anderson OBE Mr G R Angell Mr J B Bairstow Dr P J Ball Mr J M M Bell Mr P Birnbaum Revd J A Bowering Sir Derek Bradbeer OBE Mr T J Bramley Mr R G Broadie Mr C A Browning Mr M G Bullen Dr J Burgess

Mr D B McKenna Cdr T C C Millett Mr J P Oakley Mr C N Osmond Mr H W Packham Mr R H Parkinson Mr A R Pratt Mr A J Pudden Estate of Mr H T Randolph Dr J M Reid OBE Mr S A Ross Dr S J E Russell-Wells Mr P D Sanderson Mr G W Scott-Giles Dr A Segal Mr F J Silvester Rev'd Canon J L Simpson Mr D J Slimmon Mr D J Smith Mr C L Stevenson Mr D M D Strong Mr K R Teare Mr M A Thorpe Dr D C Thrush Mr M Townsend Dr Z J A Tyszkiewicz Mr G H W Williamson Mr P S J Zatz

Mr A R Catchpole Mr F W Cheesman Mr J R Collis Mr S R Coltman Mr F D Cousin Mr S T Cowan Mr R A Crabb Cmdr D Dawson-Taylor Mr D E de Saxe Dr R H L Disney Mr F R Edgar Mr and Mrs C D S Ewart Mr B K Finnimore Mr K G Frey Mr R M Furber Mr G M Gill Mr D H Gray Mr D R Gray Mr R L C Hartley Mr D R Hester Mr A J Hewitt Mr R E Hildrew Mr R J Hill Dr G A Hobbs Mr K Hopper Mr H H Houghton Mr G B C Hughes Mr D J Humphrey Dr P V Hunt Mr J C Jeffery Mr J A Jefkins Professor D Kleppner Mr R M Knight Prof J J Lagowski Mr T G Lawrence Prof S E Lehmberg Mr P F T Linford Mr P W Lipscomb OBE Mr C C K Lucas Mr D R Luker

1961 - 1970 Dr V J Baker Mr C R Broadie Mr J W Brown Mr A J F Caie Mr D J F Cameron Dr L J Carter Mr P J Clare Dr G B Clements Prof R T Curtis Mr P I Espenhahn Mr N O Essex

2

This is an issue for new introductions and we are delighted to add a new name and face to the catalogue of those all-important figures in the life of students at Sidney, our Head Porters.

Sam White was appointed Head Porter in May Photo: Zoe Swenson-Wright

For the past six years, the College has been in discussion, and more recently in negotiation, about the sale and redevelopment of the sports ground. This will be sad news for members with fond memories of the vast field on Huntingdon Road that we have shared with Christ’s College as our sports ground since 1904. But College felt it had little real choice.

Change in the Porters’ Lodge

Taking the Plunge

Mr P G D Fox His Hon Judge E J Faulks Mr P N Fison Dr R E B Garrod Mr J W Gibbon Mr D C Haigh Dr H A R Hamad-Elneil Professor J W Hill Dr N P Hudd Mr A J L Huns Mr J S Hurst Mr P G Jenkins Prof C G Marks Mr J W McNeill Professor J M Miller Mr M J Mobbs Mr B J Moody Mr R C J Phillips Mr T W J Phillips Mr D J Pritchard Dr M Purshouse Rt Hon W R N Raynsford Mr P J R Riddell Mr S G Rider Mr E N Rowley Dr E J Salter Dr A J Searle Mr C W J Seldon Mr I B M Stephen Mr M W Story Mr G A Thorp Mr S W Upton Mr A J Williams Mr P M Wrench

1971 - 1980 Mr D P Bannister Mr M W E Bayliss Mr G A Bazire Sir Terence Beckett Dr A K Brown

Our new Head Porter

this year. His career at Sidney has been meteoric, joining us as Porter in October 2004 and becoming Deputy Head Porter in May 2005. That speaks volumes for his abilities in modern areas of the job like health and safety observance and the all-important traditional skills of getting on well with students and Fellows.

Before joining Sidney, Sam spent 33 years with Royal Mail, ending as Mail Centre Planning Manager and part of a planning and redeployment team working nationally to help get Royal Mail back in the black.

He follows Graeme Wallace, who completed 10 years’ service before heading back to his native lowlands of Scotland. Graeme was well liked by everyone at Sidney and we wish him well in his retirement.

Mr P J Coggan Mr R B Cooper Dr A R D Curtis Reverend I M Delinger Mr R W Dingle Mr M F Dixon Mr A G Downey Dr M E Edwards Mr D J Garton Mr P A Gilbert Mr R Gilbert Mrs S L Gore Mr G R H Hampshire Professor P J G Henderson Mr S D Hobbs Ms S A Holmes Dr D R Ives Mr J M Jarman Mr T Kreule Mr J M Lehman Mr R P Lewis Mr R G Lewney Dr D R Lidington Mrs A B Lomas Mrs D J Medlicott Mr W J Medlicott Ms K J Minogue Mr A L Morris Mrs N G Myerson Mrs J H Pennells Mr A N Ratcliffe Mr M S Rawlinson Mr R A Salmon Mr A G Sheard Mr N J Shepherd

Mr F D F Thoday Mr J Thorne Commodore I P G Tibbitt Mr G P Tranter Mr K D Tuffnell Mrs E J Warburton Mr R S Willbourn Mr R T Wood Ms M S Woodruff Ms E J Young Mr J T Young Prof J S Ziegel

1981 - 1990 Mr I Anderson Mr J H Barker Dr S A Bew Mrs C L Calderwood Rev'd J M Casement Mr A M R Clarke Mr Y R Dallal Mrs H C Dauris Mr M Deans Ms A Emmans Dean Mr T Furusawa Mrs Y Furusawa Mrs H M Gyssler Mr N E Kempton Dr W W Meyer Dr J G Miller Dr J S Minshull Mr S D Murphy Dr J C T Pepperell Dr A J V Philp Mr R J Piggott Dr C Proukakis

Dr J Smallwood Mr A R B Smith Mr and Mrs R M Trachok Dr C A White Mr I R Wilton Dr D M C Wong and Mrs K B Lim

1991 and after Mrs G N Appleton Ms S Banerjee Prof J G Basker Dr J S G Biggs Mr J D Blake Mr M Bouchard Mr M R Burcher Ms L J Caton Mr K Y Chou Ms L A Cohen Mr G E S Coltman Prof Dame Sandra Dawson Mrs J M Fisher Mr M A Horley Mr K T HuxleyRobinson Ms A S Lisulo Mr G J Martindale Ms D Ngara Ms H V North Mr E L Owen Ms C H Perry Mr S J Salji Prof H Schulze Mr M J Townsend Dr T C Viles Mr R B Williams

Special Gifts Estate of Lt Col E C Alderton Mr J P Barton Estate of Mr J P Buchan Dr L Broughton Estate of Mr G P Bugden Estate of Mr J Catlow Mr D T K Dagg Ms J T Evans Ms M A Farlow

Dr C E Hoare Mrs C L Hocking Estate of Sir Richard Powell Dr R D Pyrah Mr D V Rutter Prof and Mrs Scott Morton Estate of Mr M Seymour Rt Hon Lord D R Stevens Mr M Styles Dr D S Tawfik

2006 marks the fiftieth anniversary of the arrival of Sidney’s first Organ Scholar. To celebrate this landmark in College history, the Sidney Sussex Society has arranged a day of music and visits on Saturday 21 October.

Organ Scholars past and present have been invited, with 15 acceptances so far. All other members interested in College music are warmly invited and will find an application form enclosed with this Pheon.

St John’s alumni list holds rather more famous names than Sidney can readily boast. They include Archbishop Laud, Jane Austen’s father and brothers, and a string of 20th Century poets, including AE Houseman, Robert Graves and Philip Larkin. But nothing quite to rival Oliver’s head!

Clipping the Dragon’s Wings Two past Sidney Boat Club Captains, Hugh Balfour (1973) and John Smallwood (1990), plan to run in one go over Cadair Idris, Aran Fawddwy and Moel Sych, the high points on the continuous chain of mountains that stretch

Hugh and John ready to go

across Wales from the coast near Dolgellau to the English border at Chirk.

Members gather in the Front Quad

Jamal Sutton, our Senior Organ Scholar, playing the now elderly Harrison Organ in Chapel

singers until Sidney moved to co-residence in 1976. The enlarged choir then improved out of all recognition and was able to perform substantial parts of the church music repertoire.

Progress continued and in the last ten years or so recognition has become more widespread. The choir regularly goes on tour and sings Evensong in cathedrals, including Westminster Abbey.

But arrive he did and made an immediate impact both inside and outside the Chapel – rather more outside, with the Musical Society mounting a performance of Mozart’s Requiem at Holy Trinity Church in 1958, with fine soloists brought together by another College member, the tenor Wilfred Brown. Roy’s successor, John Hastie, was more formally elected in the first Organ Scholarship competition run by the combined Cambridge Colleges, and came up in 1958. The Master, David Thomson, and especially his wife Margaret, and Otto Smail were prominent in encouraging musical activity, which included performances of Haydn’s Creation and Bach’s St John Passion.

The Garden tour begins

The route they are planning, which they call the Dragon’s Wings, starts at the coast at Llwngwril and runs over Cadair Idris, part of the Dovey Forest and Aran Fawddwy, followed by a long central section of very rough moorland, and finishing over the Berwyns at the border just south of Chirk Castle. The total distance is 58 miles with about 14,000 feet of ascent. They are going to attempt it on 20 August, and hope to live to tell the tale! John is quite experienced at this sort of thing, but Hugh is a relative novice (and a year or two older!)

The Music Society, in the nature of college societies, has had ups and downs, but the development of the Chapel Choir and better provision of instruments and practice rooms have encouraged a growing number of good concerts. In all aspects of music at Sidney successive Organ Scholars have been central.

Many will recall, for example, Mark Dorrell’s concerts in lighter vein, and more recently Cathy Lamb’s organ playing.

On 21 October past Scholars will perform on the organ, Evensong will be performed by a scratch choir under their direction, and there will be a visit limited to 30 members to the neighbouring Church of All Saints. David Skinner, our new Director of Music, will be with us, and an exhibition on the theme of College music will be mounted by the Archivist. Altogether the day will be unique, and will be reported on in The Organ by David Baker, its deputy editor.

What could be done inside the Chapel was severely limited by an inadequate organ and a choir entirely of male undergraduates.

Fortunately, the appeal for Chapel funding in memory of Canon Weekes, Master 1918–45, provided the bulk of the cost of a new organ, which was built by the notable firm of Harrison under the guidance of Sir David Willcocks, who inaugurated it in November 1963. It was almost alone in Cambridge in being of the so-called classical type, intended particularly to suit the works of Bach.

Why are they doing it? Because they believe it has never been done before. And because they hope less energetic Sidney members will think their madness merits sponsorship. If you’d like to sponsor Hugh and John, please contact the Development Office at Sidney (zs205@cam.ac.uk) and let us know if you would like your sponsorship to be for the Boat Club or for the College more generally. We hope to hear from you.

As is clear from our front page article, College is starting off the next 50 years even more ambitiously. The past half-century has provided good foundations and we can be confident that music at Sidney will be carried to new heights.

A distinguished succession of Organ Scholars was still handicapped by the lack of female

The Thornely Society On 23 February, the Thornely Society held its second annual lecture at the resplendent new offices of Ince & Co, overlooking the Tower of London. Dr Paul McHugh, Reader in Law at Cambridge University and Sidney Fellow, gave a very interesting talk on an area of the law that was entirely new to many of his listeners: Making Rights Aboriginally – the common law on tribal soil. Copies of Paul’s talk are available on request from the Membership and Development Office.

Graduands’ Garden Party On 27 June, the Sidney Sussex Society held a garden party in Cloister Court for its newest members. Society Chairman Ian Stephen spoke about the Society’s role in sustaining the relationship between College and its members once they have left its sheltered courts.

Fortunately, the weather held, both for the garden party and graduation. Congratulations and good luck to the graduands of 2006.

Photo: Zoe Swenson-Wright

On Friday 5 May, on a lovely evening, members of the Sidney Sussex Society visited our sister College in Oxford. Those who attended were treated to an absorbing private tour of the College and its grounds, conducted by the College Archivist. After the tour, there was an animated and very enjoyable dinner in the College Hall, hosted by the President, Sir Michael Scholar, and his wife. Altogether a very successful outing for the Society

Before Organ Scholars, Sidney was virtually a College without music, except for the often painful singing of a small number of male Cantors at Chapel Evensong, accompanied by a feeble organ played from behind the statue of St George at the top of the Old Library stairs. In 1955, however, old Mr Cecil Hurry retired as College Organist (1916–55) and College elected its first Organ Scholar. How this came about is now a mystery. It is not to be found in College minutes and when the late Roy Wilkinson arrived in 1956 he was not listed in the Annual among the Scholars.

Photo: Zoe Swenson-Wright

St John’s College fronts impressively onto St Giles, the broad boulevard that runs north/south through the centre of Oxford.

At its lower end is the Martyrs’ Memorial, commemorating Latimer and Ridley, the Bishops burned at the stake there in 1555 – the College’s foundation year – and Archbishop Cranmer the following year.

Photo: Zoe Swenson-Wright

Visit to St John’s, Sidney’s Oxford Sister

Photo: Caroline Penn

Celebrating 50 Years of Organ Scholars

Reception at Ince & Co

After the lecture, members enjoyed a splendid reception in the new offices, admiring the view (and counting the ravens on Tower Green), or networking actively among the many lawyers present, as our picture shows.

Plans for the Thornely Lecture and the Society’s Dinner in 2007 are now going ahead for dates in February and April respectively.

Once the dates are finalised, details will be

Don’t miss this year’s Christmas Party The Society’s Christmas party this year will be held at the Royal Naval Reserve shore establishment, HMS President, on Monday 4 December, from 6.30 to 8.30 pm. Located in a stunning position just downstream of Tower Bridge, HMS President should prove a very exciting venue. We plan to use this occasion to celebrate 30 years of women students at Sidney.

Booking forms will, as usual, be sent out in the College Annual.

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available on the College website and in the next issue of Pheon.

If you would like us to add your name to the Thornely Society mailing list to receive information about these and other future events, please contact Zoe Swenson-Wright on 01223-338864 or email zs205@cam.ac.uk .

Celebrating 11 years of growth at Judge Business School As we go to press, Sandra Dawson is packing up her office as Director of Judge Business School, and contemplating with joy some time to develop her own academic work and, of course, continue as Master of Sidney. For 11 years she has been at the helm, and in that time the Judge has grown in size, stature and relevance. It is now one of the major schools of the university and recognised as a leader in graduate education, research, engagement with business and related aspects of public policy.

Her successor, Professor Arnoud De Meyer will lead a school transformed from the little known Judge Institute of Management Studies of 1995.

Her legacy is a major Business School at the heart of Cambridge, advancing knowledge and leadership through people who will leave a mark on the world. Here she reflects on its special character.

She writes: It is as if I have travelled with colleagues on an exciting journey through a landscape structured by two major geological forces: the nature of contemporary global business and society; and the unique material that is available in Cambridge to enrich that journey.

First the social, economic and industrial landscape. This has changed greatly since the early nineties and provides the laboratory for our research. Four trends stand out: 1. continuing globalisation and economic integration, requiring an ever-greater international awareness of managers; 2. increasingly open global capital, product and labour markets. These cause companies to focus on core activities, whilst building the networks and alliances needed to deliver value across global supply chains; 3. significant shifts in product value or service to knowledge, which reduce the importance of location whilst increasing the need for integration and coordination over large physical and cultural distances; 4. challenges to the legitimacy of business and its relationship with society, as efforts are made to reconcile short-term profitability and long-term responsibility. There are so many

What’s in a Name? last word The correspondence about the College’s name has been very entertaining since we published Otto Smail’s article from 1935 enjoining us all to stop calling it Sidney and start using its proper name, Sidney Sussex. We said we would come back with a more serious look at the history of the name, and here it is.

We start with our two official histories, GM Edwards’ College History of 1899 and CW Scott-Giles Short History of 1975.

Interestingly the cover of the former simply proclaims Sidney while the latter, coming after Otto’s austere encyclical, more properly has Sidney Sussex College. But is it more proper?

Both histories are clear on what Lady Frances herself wanted. The bequest in her will was for the Erectyon of a newe Colledge in the Universitie of Cambridge, to be called the Ladie ffrauncis Sidney Sussex Colledge. So far so good, and that was correctly reflected in the College’s Charter, where the name is given in Latin as Collegium dominae Franciscae Sidney Sussexiae, but that is where the trouble begins. All official University documents, including College statutes, were in Latin and remained so into the nineteenth century. No

to solve challenges, preparing them for a landscape where productive teamwork, alliances and partnerships are vital.

4. Our closeness to the fertile scientific and technological developments in the University, to local entrepreneurs and venture capitalists, and to the commercial capital of London. All these enable us to lead thought and action in the innovation of products, processes, services and business models. Our students work in teams on real projects hosted by high-tech companies in Cambridge or multi-national companies located in any major city of the world.

5. Last, but definitely not least, we are firmly rooted in the best Cambridge traditions of rigorous, relevant research that advances knowledge and has real impact. In our case that impact is felt in boardrooms from London to Beijing, in the development of entrepreneurial growth companies, and in NGOs operating in the Southern continents.

Professor Dame Sandra Dawson

interlinked issues: sustainability, diversity trade, poverty, inequality, governance, social enterprise and public–private partnerships.

Determined to develop teaching, learning and research in management and business to meet these challenges, we are blessed with advantages from the second set of forces: the unique characteristics of Cambridge. Five of these make the ground wonderfully fertile for the task, enabling us to deliver our vision.

1. We have a truly international outlook. No business, nation or culture dominates among our students, faculty, curriculum or research partners. You cannot be a graduate student in Judge Business School and not appreciate what it means to work in a class of 45 nationalities, as you struggle to produce a real business plan, or develop a policy for corporate social responsibility for a company engaged in global outsourcing, all to tight deadlines.

2. Our interdisciplinary and international networks, which are nowhere better displayed than in the collegiate system. That system can never be replicated in any stand-alone or semidetached business school, whatever its heritage.

It means we work on finance with economists and mathematicians, on health management with the clinical school, and on innovation with the Cavendish Laboratory and Engineering.

3. Our focus on collaboration, rather than competition. We see this as the ultimate weapon for dealing with risk and uncertainty, encouraging students and faculty to pool skills

Our journey in growing Judge Business School will continue. As I start sabbatical leave from the duties of Director, I look with pleasure at the School’s achievements and take great pride in its ambitions, confident in its unique qualities as a business school at the heart of Cambridge. I recall with especial pride those students who have dual citizenship of Judge Business School and Sidney.

Lord Bilimoria

The College offers its congatulations to Karan Bilimoria (1986), on becoming Lord Bilimoria of Chelsea in June.

Karan’s lasting claim to fame is Cobra Beer, the hugely successful premium lager he developed initially for the Indian restaurant trade, which won more awards at Monde Selection, Brussels in 2005 than any other beer in the world.

As Entrepeneur of the Year in 2003 and 2004, Karan’s services are now much in demand by Business Schools. He is a Visiting Entrepeneur at the Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning in Cambridge, and a guest lecturer at Cranfield, the Judge Business School and LBS. He is also Chancellor of Thames Valley University, making him the youngest university Chancellor in the UK. He was awarded the CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in 2004. *

Judge Business School

doubt, therefore, about the College’s official name, but what was it in English?

documents quoted by Edwards before the first reference to Sidney Sussex. Thomas Fuller, the earliest historian of the College in 1655 appears to have called it Sidney College consistently.

Samuel Ward, Master from 1620 to 1643 addressed his correspondence from Sidney Coll.

And as early as 1603, when the first Master met King James on his progress down from Scotland, he was referred to as Dr Montagu, Master of Sidney College.

There is some suggestion that it was different for different purposes. The College itself would at times use the formal title The Lady Frances Sidney Sussex College. When the king addressed the College – not a frequent occurrence but it happened at least twice in the seventeenth century – the name used was Sid. Suss. Coll. and Sydney-Sussex College.

But overwhelmingly the style of those early years was Sidney or (Sydney). There are ten usages of this style from contemporary

When did all this change? By the early nineteenth century Cambridge Guides were already calling Sidney Sidney-Sussex College, and when the Reporter, the official record of the University, began to be published after the midcentury reforms, Sidney was used for less formal references to the College; Sidney Sussex for more formal. But this was not the invariable rule. When the College accounts were first published in the early 1880s, the name used was Sidney College. Within a few years this had changed to Sidney Sussex, but at the end of the century, GM Edwards called the institution he cared so much for Sidney throughout his history.

So, formally, we are now Sidney Sussex College or just occasionally, the College of the Lady Frances Sidney Sussex. But, informally, we are Sidney, the name which has been held with most affection by Sidney members for over 400 years.

Chapel Court in the sun

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Many congratulations too to Simon Campbell, member of the 1596 Foundation and joint-donor of the Simon and Jill Campbell Foundation Fund for bursaries to undergraduates reading sciences or mathematics. Simon, who has just stepped down as President of the Royal Society of Chemistry, was awarded a CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours and given an Individual Achievement Award by the Chemical Industries Association.

Pass it on Leo McKinstry (1982) published two books in the first six months of 2006 giving some insight into the breadth of his interests. The first was his biography of the Earl of Rosebery, successor to Gladstone as Liberal Prime Ministry in the late Victorian period, and charismatic figure of a very different stamp.

Then in June his life of Sir Alf Ramsey, ‘England’s Greatest Football Manager’, reached the bookstalls. Leo remains active in national journalism but is now giving more time to his own writing.

Michael Duffett (1962) has also brought out a new book, Back to Basics: the Sources of the New Testament, published by McGraw Hill.

After a career as poet and Professor of English at the University of Hawaii, he is now teaching Religion and New Testament Greek.

And lastly, on the new book front, Frank Cheesman (1952), living in retirement in Vancouver but back in Cambridge for the 1949-54 Commem in July, has realised a 25year ambition with the publication of Isaac Newton’s Teacher, a life of Isaac Barrow and a history of the ‘Cambridge Barrows’ from whom he is descended.

THE SIDNEY SUSSEX NEWSLETTER

The 800th Campaign Campaign Quotes

This is a defining moment. Higher education faces fundamental political and economic challenges, and the pressures we face are intense as we seek to maintain our excellence and our distinctiveness.

Professor Alison Richard, Vice-Chancellor To thrive Cambridge needs to reduce its dependence on the state. No government of any political complexion, is going to fund the University to the extent needed to maintain its world-class status.

Sir David Walker, Campaign Co-Chairman

The University is dependent on the Colleges for the individual teaching and support that characterise world class undergraduate education at Cambridge.

Professor Tony Badger, Master of Clare The Colleges operate on a human scale and are what enable us to be simultaneously big and intimate. The Colleges resolve the tension between being a great research university and at the same time a place that does a brilliant job of educating undergraduates and nurturing academic communities.

This is truly one of the great institutions of the world. We are asking people to invest in greatness and success.

Professor Alison Richard

CONTENTS

infrastructure, with many departments enjoying the benefit of new premises or significant refurbishment, with all the associated stimulus to creativity and scholarship.

It’s official: Sherlock Holmes at Sidney . . . .2 Admissions in the post-War period . . . . . . .2 Editorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 The Thornely Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Bletchley Park 2: Herivelismus . . . . . . . . . . .3 Sidney Sussex Society: New Chairman . . . .3 Visit to St John’s Oxford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 May Ball 2006 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Blundell Court re-opened . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Sir Tom’s war on pollution . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Pass it on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Diary Dates for 2006 Modernisation of the institution itself is more subterranean, but the evidence is there. The career status of Cambridge academics has been transformed by the creation of 250 new professorships – more than doubling the total – keeping talent in Cambridge and boosting academic morale across the University.

Management has been professionalised. We now have a Vice-Chancellor whose tenure is potentially 7 years, effective financial planning, and a sense of responsibility at the centre for the direction and reputation of the whole. There is also a new feeling of shared vision between the University and the Colleges, putting outcomes within reach that would not have been possible ten or fifteen years ago.

Pride in Cambridge’s past

The forward-looking focus is significant, capturing a new spirit of confidence in the University. New centuries should begin with bursts of optimism, but what is happening in Cambridge goes beyond that. The University is emerging from long years of self-doubt. As a recent Cam Magazine article put it: “there was a real sapping of morale in the seventies and eighties as public funds ebbed away, and the University was left doing more and more for less and less. Academic talent drained away across the Atlantic, libraries became dog-eared, labs battered and outmoded.” It could also have pointed to the Laura Spence factor, with Oxford and Cambridge the butt for criticism from politicians and the press at every turn.

And Cambridge is still getting it right academically. Despite all the prophecies of doom and gloom, it remains the pre-eminent university in Europe and has not lost ground irrecoverably to its major US rivals. Indeed, for the past two years, it has been voted the best science university in the world.

And yet. In the nineteen-nineties, the University began modernising itself and it began serious fund-raising. The latter has led to extensive renewal of University

The 800th Campaign is inspired by the belief that Cambridge can take charge of its future if it has the confidence to do so and the full support of its alumni. It will set its own standards for that future, aimed at holding its place in the small group of universities that are world leaders.

1209 and all that The value of scholarship! It’s not so many years ago that historians were embarrassed by having no answer to the question when did Cambridge University begin? Not the early chroniclers – to them it was an opportunity to embroider the fame of the University and carry it back into the mists of history, ascribing its origin to Canteber in the 1st century or to Trojan Brutus even earlier. But in the 19th century, when historians took themselves more seriously, the issue was avoided for lack of information.

February 2006

Confidence in its future

Cambridge is one of the rare institutions that has repeatedly defined and transformed our world.

Our priority is to open the doors to talent and potential right across society, so we hope everyone who feels they drew some sort of benefit from Cambridge will contribute.

Dr Bill Janeway, Campaign Co-Chairman

20 ISSUE TWENTY

University of Cambridge copyright

It is a very great honour indeed to be Chancellor of such a great university, and it is my hope that the Cambridge 800th Anniversary Campaign will ensure that Cambridge can continue to make its unique contribution to the world.

HRH, The Duke of Edinburgh

University of Cambridge copyright

The Cambridge 800th Anniversary Campaign was formally launched by the Vice-Chancellor at a reception in the Stationers’ Hall in London on 27 October 2005, and at subsequent gatherings in Los Angeles and New York. It celebrates an amazing history in which Cambridge has literally helped transform the world – through the ideas of Erasmus, Bacon and Wittgenstein in philosophy; Newton, Darwin and Rutherford in science; Harvey, Hopkins, Crick and Watson in medicine; Milton, Coleridge and Wordsworth in literature; Marshall and Keynes in economics; Cromwell and Pitt in politics – and so many more. But the Campaign is not about the past; its slogan is Transforming Tomorrow and its focus is firmly on the future.

It was only after MB Hackett found very early statutes of the University in the Angelica Library in Rome in the mid-1950s that knowledge moved on. Hackett, whose work wasn’t published until 1970, made the connection between academic exiles from Oxford, who fled the town in 1209 to save themselves from politically inspired riots, and leading families in Cambridge and drew speculative conclusions.

With this corner-stone in place, the process of evidential accretion took over, and the dating to 1209 is now generally accepted.

Underpinning its mission is the principle of merit-based admission, irrespective of financial means. All governments are likely demand this as a condition of future grant funding, but it is also the key to academic excellence and now part of Cambridge’s culture. In any case, future government

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11th February 2006

Engineers' Reunion dinner

23 February 2006

Thornely Society lecture and AGM

31 March 2006

Sidney Sussex-Fettesian Ski Vacation

21 April 2006

Thornely Society dinner

5 May 2006

Dinner in Oxford

13 May 2006

MA Graduation dinner

20 May 2006

1596 Foundation dinner

21 June 2006

May Ball

11 November 2006

1596 Foundation dinner

Commemoration of Benefactors Dinners in 2006 and 2007 Dates for those who matriculated in: 1 July 2006

1949-1954

23 September 2006

1977-1979

30 June 2007

1994-1995

22 September 2007

1971-1973

funding, as Sir David Walker’s quotation underlines, is simply not going to be adequate to deliver Cambridge’s ambitious goals. The University will need to have greater reliance on private funding from its fast-growing research collaborations, from better management of its endowment, and from fundraising to grow that endowment.

In the latter regard, the target of £1 billion for the 800th Campaign is ambitious – doubling the endowment – but can be achieved by the University and Colleges working together over the years to 2012. More than that, it is essential to all our aspirations. Sidney Sussex is totally engaged in the Campaign and will play its full part in the future of collegiate Cambridge.

It’s Official !

Setting Sidney’s Campaign Agenda We very much hope you will support us in reaching this goal.

Your editor (second left) starting day 2 of a 5-day, 85mile walk along the length of Hadrian’s Wall in September – and still smiling! He raised £6,000 for Prostate Research Campaign (UK) – and is now off his crutches again!

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We are delighted to offer this beautiful needlepoint cushion, combining gros point and petit point, with the College Coat of Arms as its central design. Backed in velvet and trimmed in twisted cord. Size: 18” x 18”

*

In the context of the Campaign, gifts to Colleges are gifts to Cambridge and count towards the overall target of £1 billion. As our Annual Appeal brochure explained last term, we have given a lot of thought to what we need to do at Sidney to prepare for the future and make sure students here continue to have a learning and living experience that equips them as effectively for their world as it equipped past generations for theirs.

NAME:

PHONE:

No. Coat of Arms Cushion

per item.

UK p&p*

Total

student bursaries The next party may have to wait for the 50th anniversary, but I do encourage those who came up in the first wave of women - and those who came up with the first wave of women (or, even better, those who came up a year or two before the first women and knew both the old and the new) – to write and let me know how it all seemed at the time. Was College life changed overnight? I’m sure there are some good stories out there. – so thank you in advance.

new teaching Fellowships music and performance our archive and treasures students’ living and study spaces

£64.00 £6.00 These will remain our priorities through to 2012 and, as Editor, I plan to put the spotlight on them one by one in future issues of Pheon, explaining the need in each case and what our plans are. Overall, we have set ourselves a campaign target of £10 million.

* For overseas orders, we will invoice you for any additional postage.

Please send cheque payable to Sidney Sussex College to: Membership & Development Office, Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge CB2 3HU, or e-mail for credit purchase to wah21@cam.ac.uk.

Charles Larkum, Editor

Post-War Admissions,etc

In 1944 there were 56 undergraduates (only two in the third year) and six graduates - but there were also 36 service cadets doing six-month short courses, most of whom came back after the War to complete their degrees. By 1947 there were 173 undergraduates and 30 graduates, and the 1948 Annual records those numbers as “the largest in the whole history of

I was so glad to see in the Summer Pheon the photograph of A History Supervision in Progress, which had originally appeared in the 1960 edition of Britain: An Official Handbook.

It was taken in Q3 in Garden Court, now part of the Computer Room, overlooking the Master’s Garden. A lovely set, and when I had it later I had the coat of arms over the mantelpiece removed and put up over the doorway into the Porters’ Lodge, where it now greets all new arrivals to the College.

the College” – at 203. And now there are 553 (362 undergraduates and 191 graduates). The Fellowship has grown even faster, from 12 to 60. But what is so good is that we have kept the strong feeling of family and friendship, among the fellows, students and staff at Sidney.

Having called it ‘Sidney’, may I add a postscript to What’s in a name? Certainly, when I was first up the College was generally known by townspeople as Sidney College – “next to Galloway and Porter” according to taxi drivers, and not, as now, “opposite Sainsbury’s”. More to the point, if you telephoned College, the Porter answered Sidney College. Otto Smail always said how different our history might have been had the College been named Lady Frances Hall.

Photo: Zoe Swenson-Wright

We haven’t quite done with Sidney’s Wartime past – nor with one or two other recent topics. Jeffery Switzer, Fellow and former Bursar, writes:

Unlike Donald Stephenson, who was interviewed by David Thomson in 1939, I came up in 1944 without even an interview. It seems that having been Royal Navy (as a regular officer) a letter from my Headmaster was sufficient! When I see the piles of paper that mount up before admissions nowadays, I think how fortunate I was.

And then, David Purchase’s teaspoon. The College silver cutlery was indeed marked “Sid Coll”. I remember a friend toying with the idea of naming his son Sidney Collin so that he could give him a dozen knives, forks and spoons as a christening present. But he thought better of it, as being too heavy a price for the poor boy to pay.

New Glory for the Coat of Arms

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Mr Rennison is saying nothing new, of course.

Dorothy L Sayers deployed her own detection skills many years ago to show that Holmes was matriculated by Sidney, and research in the early 1990s by Dick Chorley, former ViceMaster, unearthed four episodes in Holmes’ life as an undergraduate in the College#. Sadly neither source is acknowledged, perhaps because the book is ‘aimed at the general reader’ and not ‘the Sherlockian scholar’.

*

We celebrated the 25th anniversary five years ago by holding a party. That milestone came shortly after the appointment of Sidney’s first woman Master and it was a good way of marking both events.

ADDRESS:

• • • • •

*

It has been very good getting a better picture of Sidney in and after the War. Now it is time to move on and look to another formative period of recent College life. And guess what! 2006 just happens to be the 30th anniversary of the admission of women to Sidney as undergraduates.

We have set out priorities that complement what has already been achieved since the Quatercentenary. They focus on:

Please send me:

*

One of the more enjoyable aspects of editing Pheon is the feedback I get from College members on a whole range of topics (some of which are picked up in Jeffrey Switzer’s article on this page). I am not able to publish everything received, but do enjoy getting your letters, I would particularly like to thank Edward Wells (1964), responding on Sid Coll cutlery, John Davidson-Parker (1954) who sent me a poem that I will try to find a corner for, and Toby Seeley (1941) who sent me a feature article from the Herts & Essex Observer chronicling his experiences on Arromanches Beach early on the morning of D-Day, 6 June 1944, spearheading the Normandy invasion.

The answer is to turn our celebration of the past into a tangible commitment to the future through the 800th Campaign. The Campaign is hugely important to all our futures and we are grateful that the University has identified the role of the Colleges so centrally in its mission and said loudly that supervision-based teaching lies at the heart of Cambridge’s excellence.

New Handmade Needlepoint Cushion

*

The Sound made Holmes freeze

That minor blemish apart, the book is a very good read, with interesting new information/speculation about his time in Cambridge, which he called ‘this inhospitable town’ and did not relish. Your editor was pleased to learn that he was probably an early alumnus of the ADC Theatre and is thinking of amending the ADC’s appeal literature accordingly.

We have to thank Rosemary Chorley, Dick’s widow, for her gift to the College of the original illustrations to Dick’s stories, which were drawn

by James Youlden in 1996. It is a nice question whether they should be held among our tutorial records or in the Muniment Room. The Dean may also have an interest in the one shown here – Holmes’ night-climbing escapade. * Sherlock Holmes, the Unauthorised Biography by Nick Rennison, Atlantic Books, price £14.99. # Sherlock Holmes at Sidney Sussex College by Dick Chorley, published and sold by the College, price £5.

The Thornely Society The 2006 John Thornely Lecture will be Making rights aboriginally – the common law on tribal soil and will be given by Dr Paul McHugh, Sidney Fellow and University Reader in Law. It will take place at 6.15 pm on 23 February in the new offices of Ince & Co, International House, 1 St Katharine’s Way, London E1,.

The lecture has been accredited by the Law Society and Bar Council with 1 CPD (Continuing Professional Development) hour

Photo: Caroline Penn

Cambridge’s achievements over 800 years speak for themselves through the University’s worldwide reputation. But that is the nub of the problem the University now has to address.

How can it continue to compete successfully with the world’s best universities when its funding is so tightly controlled by domestic policy-makers whose priorities often seem directly at variance with the pursuit of academic excellence?

“In the Michaelmas Term of 1873, Sherlock Holmes arrived at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, to study Natural Sciences.” So begins Chapter 2 of the recently published biography of Sherlock Holmes by Nick Rennison*.

Paul McHugh

`

A drinks reception will follow the lecture.

Sidney Sussex College and the Thornely Society are extremely grateful to Ince & Co for generously hosting these events.

The Thornely Society’s annual dinner will take place on Friday 21 April 2006 at Sidney Sussex College.

Visit to Sidney’s sister College: St John’s Oxford On Friday 5 May the Sidney Sussex Society has organized a private visit to St John’s College, Oxford, Sidney’s sister College.

Founded 39 years before Sidney, in 1555, St John’s College was one of Oxford’s last Tudor Foundations. Its founder, Sir Thomas White, a merchant and former Lord Mayor of London, named his College in honour of St John the Baptist, patron saint of the Merchant Taylors’ Company. Until the nineteenth century, St John’s maintained close links to a number of Merchant Taylors’ Company schools.

Bletchley Park, part 2: Herivelismus

Photo: Zoe Swenson-Wright

Unfortunately, one of the survivors of that group, John Herivel (matric. 1937), couldn’t be present then, but more than made up by giving an illustrated talk in College on 8 October about his own, very celebrated, role at Bletchley. The talk was over-subscribed, with standing room only in the Mong Hall for over one hundred of

demonstrated that the most obvious shortcuts would result in the indicators used by rogue Photo: Zoe Swenson-Wright

In the last issue of Pheon we featured the Sidney Sussex Society’s June visit to Bletchley Park where ten members of College played their parts in breaking the German Enigma and Japanese codes in World War 2.

Early scholars studied theology and the arts.

More recently, St John’s has shared with Sidney a reputation for strength in medicine and law. Fellows and alumni have included Archbishop Laud, Jane Austen’s father and brothers, A.E. Housman, Robert Graves, Kingsley Amis, Philip Larkin and Tony Blair.

St John’s College, Oxford, Sidney’s sister College

The Sidney Sussex Society visit will include a tour led by the College Archivist, a reception, College history exhibition, garden walk and four-course dinner (with wine) in Hall. Tickets are £40/person and all Sidney Members and their guests are welcome, although numbers are necessarily limited. For further information, please contact Wendy Hedley on wah21@cam.ac.uk or 01223-338881

John Herivel demonstrates a point

Talking over lunch with Lord Briggs

us listening enthralled to how he made his crucial break-through. It became known as the “Herivel Tip” and was a combination of three distinct elements – inspired lateral thinking, indepth knowledge of how the Enigma machine worked, and a first-class mathematical brain.

Alone in his Bletchley digs in the cold winter of 1940, John had the insight that there must be many German operators of about his own age using Enigma machines under wartime stress, and that some would take shortcuts through the official procedures to make life easier. His imagination took over. “I may have dozed off,” he told us, “and perhaps I woke up with a start and the faint trace of a vanishing dream in my head. Whatever it was, I was left with a distinct picture – imagined of course – in my mind’s eye of a German Enigma operator. This was the trigger that set off my discoveries”.

St John’s: How the link was forged

operators being close to the official ring setting for the day. This deduction dramatically reduced the number of decode variables needed to find the ring setting from 17,576 to somewhere around 20. The third and final stage was known as the “Herivel Square”. This was a large piece of graph paper on which the operators’ indicators were plotted, and where a large cluster of entries might point to the whereabouts of the ring setting.

Ahead of the Society’s visit to our sister College, St John’s Oxford, committee member Heinz Fuchs decided to investigate this now-traditional link. The story of collegetwinning between Oxford and Cambridge turns out to be almost as shrouded in mystery as the origins of the University itself (see box on page 1). Popular understanding seems to be at variance with available facts, and most links go back for shorter periods than the common explanation would have suggested – namely the influence of inter-varsity sports competitions in the late nineteenth century.

The resulting system was tried about 50 times in March and April 1940, without success. Then on 10 May, when the amount of signal traffic increased dramatically around the time of the German Blitzkrieg, a powerful cluster showed up on the Red (Luftwaffe) code. The key for the day was quickly broken, and so began a long sequence of successes stretching through the Battle of Britain and beyond.

Whatever may have happened at the start of the twentieth century, the popular dating of such links, research suggests that it wasn’t until the early nineteen-thirties that most formal associations were adopted – and then there was a bit of a scramble. Sidney and St John’s remained unlinked, however, and it was only in November 1936 that the St John’s Bursar, RVO Hart-Synnot told his Governing Body that “friends at Sidney would welcome an alliance if they knew such a proposal would be welcome here.” Active discussions

Over lunch, some audience members with their own special interest in Bletchley’s glory days were thrilled to have the opportunity to talk first hand to John, who also enjoyed a long discussion with Asa Briggs and Shaun Wylie, two of his Bletchley contemporaries. Altogether, it was a very special occasion, and we are most grateful to John for giving such an absorbing account of what became known at Bletchley Park as “Herivelismus”.

It is fitting that the dinner takes place in the 70th anniversary year of the alliance, and we are enormously grateful to St John’s for their support in hosting what promises to be a very interesting and enjoyable occasion.

Peter Lipscomb Sidney Sussex Society members are warmly invited to attend the College’s biennial May Ball, which takes place this year on Wednesday 21 June. Many of you will remember what a wonderful setting Sidney’s grounds provide for the Ball, which has an established reputation in Cambridge for being imaginative, well-planned, and above all fun. We were even highlighted in a review in The Times last June. A large number of alumni have already booked and dining tickets are unfortunately now sold out. Others may quickly follow, so please apply early. I can assure you that the committee is working very hard to make sure this year’s Ball maintains our reputation.

Alex Massie, May Ball President

Ian takes the chair

At the Society’s London Christmas Party at the National Liberal Club on 5 December, the Master presented Peter Lipscomb with an engraved pewter plate to commemorating his Chairmanship. Her appreciative comments on the progress of the Society under his lead were loudly applauded by those present.

The ground had been well prepared, because George Weekes, Sidney’s Master, reported the agreement of the St John’s Governing Body to the alliance at a Fellows’ meeting on 4 December 1936, and it was then formally approved. At the core of the alliance were the formal interchange of invitations to Fellows of the sister College to College Feasts each year, and the provision of accommodation and meals to visitors from the sister College on academic business in the other University.

Other mutual interests have been explored over the years and kindnesses conferred on the alumni of the sister College – of which the coming dinner at St John’s is a good instance.

Sidney Sussex Mayball

The second stage drew on John’s detailed working knowledge of Enigma machines. He

The Sidney Sussex Society has a new Chairman. Ian Stephen (1962) takes over in 2006 from Peter Lipscomb. Ian has been vice-chairman for the past two years and an active stalwart of the Society since its inception. He is also the moving spirit behind Medical Society dinners in College.

had been going on informally, and the intermediaries at Sidney seem to have been Tommy Knox-Shaw, future Master, and Arthur Davenport, Bursar.

It is not so long since we had a photo of the Committee, but on that occasion there were many absentees, so we are trying again. Those present on this occasion were (from top left to right): Julian Blake (2000), Patrick McDermott (1996), Tony Willenbruch (1970), Zoe Swenson-Wright, Richard Humphreys (1972), Professor Lindsay Greer, Diane Aston-James (1981), Rosalind George (1982), and in the second row: Andrew Wood (1987), Charles Larkum, Bursar, Peter Lipscomb (1959), Ian Stephen (1962), and Wendy Hedley.

Dancing the night away

SIDNEY MAYBALL 2006 Please reserve for me: single ticket(s) at £96 per ticket double ticket(s) at £192 per double Name: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Address: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .......................................

The photograph was taken by Heinz Fuchs (1997).

.......................................

Contact (phone or e-mail) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Matriculation Year: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

I enclose my cheque payable to Sidney Sussex Mayball 2006 Send to Louis Sturgess, Sidney Mayball, Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge CB2 3HU – or go to www.mayball.com for online booking

3

Topping out: the view from King Street

However, it is the Bursar and Domestic Bursar who are most likely to count their blessings.

There were alarums and excursions along the way, but the redevelopment was completed in

That is the outside. The inside has also been transformed. It was not simply a question of converting former bed-sits into well-planned ensuite rooms, but of brightening the interior throughout. The dark pine ceilings have been resurfaced and painted white, and the heavy

Tom’s War on Pollution The Fellowship dines together on a Friday night in term and on Friday 25 November it celebrated the achievement of one of its senior members, Professor Sir Tom Blundell. Tom, who is the Sir William Dunn Professor of Biochemistry in the University, had stepped down after completing 7 years as Chairman of The Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution.

In that period he produced 8 Reports (see box) dealing with some of the most controversial and problematic environment issues of the day. How broad the range was can be judged from the titles of the Reports. They rarely had an instant impact on policy, but Tom told Fellows of his satisfaction at seeing many of the conclusions move steadily into the mainstream of political

time for returning students to take up residence in October – the alternative, affecting 1-in-5 of our students, did not bear thinking about. And it was within budget. Total costs, including furniture and hiring other accommodation for the year when Blundell was out of action, were of the order of £5.5 million. £4 million has been raised by benefactions or found from College’s own resources, and £1.5 million taken as a bank loan, repayable over 10 years.

Our original budget included a loan of £2 million, at a time when we still doubted whether the £3.5 million balance could all be raised. So the outcome is very good news, despite a demanding repayment schedule.

doors and woodwork of the corridors replaced by light ash veneers. So the feeling is lightened throughout, and the Gledhill Skyline climaxes the new mood very effectively. The revamped building is proving very popular and the residents of the 90 pristine en-suite rooms (an increase of 25 overall) are the lucky ones.

In the final analysis, Sidney now has a superb residential building that will underpin its student accommodation and substantially boost its conference potential. It represents a major achievement for the College and we are deeply grateful to Mrs Gledhill and to the very many other donors who have made it possible.

Inside looking out

The Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution Twenty-first Report

Oct 1998

Setting Environmental Standards

Twenty-second Report

June 2000

Energy - The Changing Climate

Twenty-third Report

March 2002

Environmental Planning

Special Report

Nov 2002

The Environmental Effects of Civil Aircraft in Flight

Twenty-fourth Report

June 2003

Chemicals in Products

Special Report

May 2004

The Use of Biomass for Heat and Power Production

Twenty-fifth Report

Dec 2004

Turning the Tide: Addressing the Impact of Fisheries on the Marine Environment

Special Report

Sept 2005

Crop Spraying and the Health of Residents and Bystanders

Professor Jack Martin Miller (1964) has been appointed Professor Emeritus of Chemistry at Brock University on his retirement as Associate Vice-president, Research and Dean of Graduate Studies. He is still working part time as Special Advisor on Buildings and Space and doing further research on 40 years of experimental results.

Mr Stephen Rand (1972) has continued as cochair of Jubilee Debt Campaign, playing an active part in the coordination team for the Make Poverty History campaign.

Monika Bobinska (1983) writes that her gallery, Lounge, in Dalston, East London recently hosted an exhibition curated by D J Roberts (1966). The exhibition, “Real Strange,” featured twelve leading painters.

For details, see www.lounge-gallery.com.

Warren Bennett (2000) is looking for a Sidney graduate who is an “industry expert with 10-15 years experience in buying land and mounting housing projects” in the UK. For details, contact Warren at warren@cantab.net

Wedding Congratulations to: •

Mr Vasyl Marmazov (1998), who married Olga Branytska on 5 June 2005, at Kyiv, Ukraine.

•

Mr William Michell (1987), who married Maria Green (nee La Manna) on 18th June 2005. William now has 2 stepsons, Paul (age 16) and Michael (age 14).

•

Mr Hugh Wilson (1987) who married Suzanne Harris on 14th May 2005 at St. Barnabas Church, Bromborough, Wirral.

“Amongst the guests were no less than 17 Sidney members, most of whom matriculated in 1987 or 1988.”

Photo: Zoe Swenson-Wright

The verdict of the College and local residents is that the new floor, with its elegant zinc cladding, has brought new life to the rather austere features of the original 1969 building and has considerably brightened the townscape at the corner of King Street and Malcolm Street. We hope that effect is clear from the photograph, but members returning to College should walk round to the back and judge for themselves. The impression changes with changes in the light, which is another exciting quality of the new building, but none of our Cambridge skies has so far managed to dampen the effect. Indeed the top of Garden Court, now back on a level with Blundell, looks very dowdy by comparison.

Pass it on ...

We congratulate Rachel Lipscomb. JP, on her OBE for services to the Administration of Justice in the New Year’s Honours list.

Rachel is married to Peter Lipscomb, former Sidney Sussex Society Chairman. She has chaired the Magistrates Association and is well known in Sidney, attending Society and other College events with Peter.

Photo: Zoe Swenson-Wright

On Saturday 5 November, Mrs Kyoko Gledhill officially opened the new fifth floor of Blundell Court, named the Gledhill Skyline in memory of her husband David Gledhill (matric. 1955).

The ceremony was attended by Lord Wilson of Tillyorn, former Governor of Hong Kong, Mr Christopher Ryder, a former colleague of David on the Board of Swires (Hong Kong) and their wives, by representatives of the contractor and architects, and by Fellows and students of the College. Mrs Gledhill unveiled a bust of her husband in the foyer of the new floor, recalling his deep affection for the College and her pleasure in thinking of him at home in such a splendid building. The Master spoke of Mrs Gledhill’s great generosity, without which the redevelopment would not have happened, and of the design features of the new floor, particularly the feeling of light and space created by the clerestory over the central area, that made it such an appropriate memorial to David.

Photo: Zoe Swenson-Wright

The Gledhill Skyline – a new Sidney feature

Finding Nemo, the popular cartoon film about a seriously challenged fish. Facing a BBC camera, he coined the phrase “They are destroying Nemo’s home” and grabbed more headlines and repeat interviews than he’d dreamed of.

orthodoxy. This wasn’t always for the right reason. Energy – the Changing Climate had recommended a 60% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions, but this target was resisted by officials until a very late stage in the production of the Government’s White Paper.

Then it suddenly appeared just as Blair’s policy in Iraq went into tailspin – apparently a sop to placate the Left.

He also has some good advice about Today Programme interviews for the new Chairman: read the runes when they tell you what time the interview is set for:

In the course of his Chairmanship, Tom came to appreciate the value of a good soundbite for getting himself heard in the media on complex issues. Shortly before launching Turning the Tide, his report on the marine environment, he had been taken by his daughters Kelesi and Lisa to see

6.55: no real interest, but at least a mention 7.10: you are setting up a Minister 8.10: it’s you who have been set up!

8.50: had there been anything else in the news they wouldn’t even have called you.

Sir Tom Blundell

4

Getting ready for Christmas in the Chapel

THE SIDNEY SUSSEX NEWSLETTER

Bletchley Park – where so much happened that none of us knew about

Three others of the ten happily survive – and each was pleased to know that College was celebrating its connection with Bletchley Park through the visit. They are Professor David Rees, who matriculated in 1936 and was an early recruit to Hut 6; John Herivel, also an inmate of Hut 6, famous for the Herivel tip, his insight into the shortcuts hurried German operators might make, thus speeding up the process of decoding; and Leslie Yoxall, who started in Hut 8. His breakthrough was to crack the German naval officers’ code with a method that was soon known as Yoxallismus.

Repeated references to Hut 6 are not accidental.

Hut 6 was run by Gordon Welchman, one of the small handful of people who created and organized the work at Bletchley Park. He was a Fellow at Sidney from 1929, first as a Research

The story of code-breaking at Bletchley Park remained unknown until newspaper articles began appearing in the early 1970s. Despite having a population of almost ten thousand at its peak, this intelligence community remained unknown to the Germans – a tribute to the efficiency of the British authorities in rounding up every German spy landed in this country. The Germans might nevertheless have made a shrewd guess. Bletchley is a small railway junction on the main line from London to the industrial midlands and north. What was singular about it was that it was the only one that had a branch line to the east linking it with Cambridge, and one to the west linking it with Oxford!

Lord Briggs sets the scene

Fellow and then as Mathematics Lecturer. He went to Bletchley at the outbreak of war and recruited a brilliant group to assist him, mainly mathematicians and many from Sidney. He invented the diagonal board, a crucial modification to Alan Turing’s bombe decoding machine, but perhaps contributed still more through his ability to organise and get results.

He was behind the decoding production line that operated 24 hours a day, 365 days per year.

His book “The Hut Six Story” has recently been reprinted.

The other Sidney men at Bletchley were Malcolm Chamberlain, a Sidney mathematician and exact contemporary of John Herivel; Howard Smith, later British Ambassador in Moscow and then Head of MI5; Edward Dudley Smith, who had been a contemporary of Welchman’s at Marlborough College; Paul Coles, who only came up to Sidney in 1942 and was off within a year; and James Passant, the Sidney Fellow who admitted a very young Asa Briggs to the College in 1938, and who, as historian, was equally an expert on the Crusades and Weimar

Bletchley Park is a splendid place to spend a day.

The original wooden huts are still there (those that were not replaced by brick buildings during the war). A fascinating new museum is being developed, with replicas of the bombe and other decoding machines, including Colossus, the world’s first programmable electronic computer Photo: Zoe Swenson-Wright

They were in good company. Lord Asa Briggs, one of ten College members who worked at Bletchley between 1939 and 1945, gave a spellbinding talk about how he came to Bletchley, the work, and the detail that convinced him the war really was over when he saw a script coming over in readable text rather than code. Not that we had the full story – the Official Secrets Act still counts for something 60 years on, and there are some things that he will never talk about.

Germany.

Photo: Zoe Swenson-Wright

The Sidney Sussex Society visited Bletchley Park on 3 June to learn more about what went on under cover of one of World War II’s most closely guarded secrets. The visit celebrated the Sidney men who played such a large part during the war in breaking the German and Japanese military codes. 80 members of the Society attended.

Pheon readers may remember that last March Prill Barrett (Fellow Commoner) tasted victory in the Mini Agility Final at Crufts with her Border Terrier Jem – both of them having been ably assisted by groom Gabriel Horn (Sidney’s former Master).

This year Prill’s hopes of defending the title seemed dashed when, with only five weeks to go, she strained a muscle in her leg. With walking difficult and running impossible, there was nothing for it but to turn to the experts: sessions with physiotherapists slowly but surely reintroduced a glimmer of hope; sessions with an agility instructor encouraged Jem to abandon his lame handler and go it alone (once he had got over his surprise, he took to this with absolute glee).

Come the day and Gabriel held his breath while Prill walked up to the line in a mood of quiet confidence, seasoned with lashings of embrocation and a vicelike support bandage;

Summer 2005

CONTENTS A near miss for Sidney in the War . . . . . . . .2 Boat race writ large . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Editorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Glittering prizes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Thank you to Donors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 The Sidney Sussex Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 The Thornely Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 London get-together for young alumni . . . .3 The Choir’s spring tour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 War-time memories of David Thomson . . . .4 Bursaries: the picture changes again . . . . . .4 Pass it on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

25 Sept 2005 5 Nov 2005 5 Dec 2005 February 2006 11 Feb 2006 21 April 2006 5 May 2006 13 May 2006 20 May 2006

built in 1943. There is the original country house, with its ornate interiors, and the landscaped grounds that must have made Bletchley a popular weekend retreat for the politicians who frequented it in Edwardian days.

Jem’s confidence was far from quiet and he flew round faultlessly in a time which could not be beaten.

ISSUE NINETEEN

Diary Dates for 2005-2006

Inspecting Colossus

Jem and Prill take the biscuit, again

19 Alumni Weekend Breakfast 1596 Foundation Dinner Society Christmas Party Thornely Society lecture and AGM Engineers Reunion Dinner Thornely Society Dinner Society Spring Dinner MA Graduation Dinner 1596 Foundation Dinner

Commemoration of Benefactors Dates for 2005, 2006 and 2007 Commemoration Dinners for those who matriculated in: 24 Sept 2005 1992–1993 1 July 2006 1949–1954 23 Sept 2006 1977–1979 30 June 2007 1994–1995 22 Sept 2007 1971–1973

We will expand on College’s link with In the afternoon he put in another fast clear round to become only the second dog ever to have won the title two years running. And to his handler’s great relief, the leg managed a lap of honour at the very end.

What’s in a name? (Part two) The enquiry into the College’s name will be continued in a future issue, but last time’s reprint of Otto Smail’s 1935 article had two of you writing to the editor.

First, Bill Leslie (1949), writing from Muir of Ord, tells us that his 1815 Ackermann print of the College Hall is called Hall of Sidney College.

And David Purchase (1961), whose gift to enable Lady Frances to be seen in her best light is reported elsewhere in this issue, wrote. “The fascinating piece by Otto Smail reminded me of a trivial anecdote. When I went up to Sidney I arrived with, inter alia, a set of four of each of

Jem meets the Press

1

the usual items of cutlery. When I came down three years later I had just one knife, fork and dessert spoon – and 17 teaspoons! One of these last was labelled SID COLL. I have it still, and confess that the matter does not weigh as heavily on my conscience as perhaps it should.

Indeed having read the article I can only conclude that this spoon comes from some other unknown source, as ‘Sid Coll’ could not possibly be a correct abbreviation for our College!”

Editor’s note: I shall do my best to restrain the Dean.

When a bomb fell on Sidney – well, nearly!

Among the letters received after the last Pheon, John Davis (1941) gave an almost eye-witness account of the bomb that exploded in one of the Jesus Lane shops just over the road from the College near the corner with Bridge Street. All John knew about it at the time was an explosion in the night, and the arrival shortly after of his downstairs neighbour worried that he had fallen out of bed and injured himself! That was in the winter of 1942/43.

The bomb was probably dropped by an enemy plane returning from a raid west of Cambridge.

As John says it cannot have passed many feet above the Jesus Lane wall and had the trajectory been a few feet closer to the College, it might have made a nasty dent in Cloister Court.

Thanks for the memories This is a rare opportunity for me to express my thanks to old Members (of whom I’m one myself), rather than to Old Members – a phrase some of you under-60-year-olds have taken objection to in the past. I asked for stories about life at Sidney in and after the War and was richly rewarded by your response and the new contacts I have made as a result.

I have included all I felt I could in the present issue, which celebrates sixty years from the end of the War, and apologise to those who are not quoted. In particular I am grateful to John Sedgwick, who sent me a wonderful series of letters he wrote home immediately on coming up to Sidney in October 1934. They are now in the Muniment Room, enriching the drier College records of the time. Like everything you have sent, they contribute to a better picture of what Sidney was like in the 1930s and ‘40s, and are very welcome as we plan for the new history of the College.

Conditions were worse than expected and the crew came close to sinking three times. As they neared France they were still neck and neck with St Hugh’s College (Oxford), but the Sidney boat produced a strong sprint finish to

Warm congratulations, too, to Derek Beales who was awarded the first Henry Paolucci/ Walter Bagehot Prize by the Intercollegiate Studies Institute of Wilmington, Delaware, for his book Prosperity and Plunder, European Catholic Monasteries in the Age of Revolution, 1650–1815, published in 2003 also by CUP.

edge them out by 30 seconds! They had reached France, tired but happy, finishing 4th out of 7 boats, and beating both the Oxford crews.

Sidney’s heroes were Chris Lloyd (Bow), Nick Evans (2), Mike Lee (3), Pete Winslow (Stroke), Laura Spiers (Cox) – especially Pete, who also managed a first in Part IIB Engineering and a University Prize.

They have raised over £2000 for Cancer Normandy task force

Research and are still counting.

Thank you to all who have supported Sidney Sussex in 2004–2005 We are extremely grateful to all Members and friends of Sidney who have made gifts in support of the Annual Fund, the Thornely Society, the renovation of Blundell Court, and the Library – and to those who have made special gifts. Some of you have given anonymously – your names may not be listed here, but we are very grateful indeed for your generous support.

Prof J W Allen Mr P W Allen Mr I P Allnutt Mr J Alvarez Stelling Mr I Anderson Mr J V R Anderson Mr C V Andrew Mr P G Andrews Mr G R Angell The Ann D Foundation Mr L J Ashford Dr V J Baker Mr G G Bannerman Mr J H Barker Mr J P Barton Mr M P Basing Prof J G Basker Mr J A B Bayliss Sir Terence Beckett Dr J F Bell Mr J M M Bell Dr R B Bennet Mr C E Benson Lt Colonel N W Beswick Mrs C L Bewick Mr J D Blake Mr M Blake Mr A C Bloom Mr M Bouchard Sir Derek Bradbeer Mrs S R Bradburne Mr T J Bramley Mr P Broad Mr R G Broadie Mr J Brock Mr D D Bromley-Challenor Dr L Broughton Mr J W Brown Mr C A Browning Mr J H A Bryson Mr G W Buckley Mr A M Burgess Mr D E Butterfield

We congratulate Claire Preston, one of Sidney’s Fellows in English, on winning the prestigious Rose Mary Crayshaw Prize for her book Thomas Browne and the Writing of Early Modern Science, which was published earlier this year by the Cambridge University Press. The prize goes back to the nineteenth century and is awarded by the British Academy for works of literary scholarship.

The subject of Claire’s prize-winning book is Sir Thomas Browne, the seventeenth century medic best known for his Religio Medici.

Perhaps I should also apologise to those of you who think there is far too much in this issue about those years. Your time will come. I plan to move along the decades, not necessarily chronologically, and will invite Members from other periods to write in with recollections of College life from their own days here. Not in the next Pheon, however, because that will focus on the University’s 800th Anniversary, and there will be little space for other things. After all, you don’t get the chance to celebrate 800 years in the life of many institutions and we plan to make the most of it.

Boat race writ large An unusual challenge took place on Monday 20 June when coxed fours from several Oxford and Cambridge Colleges took on the English Channel as well as each other. The Sidney Cross Channel Crew set off at 8 am from Shakespeare Beach, Dover, for an epic that lasted 4 hours, 10 minutes and 2 seconds.

Glittering Prizes

Cambridge in America Cambridge University Press Colonel M J A Campbell Dr S Campbell Mrs J Campbell Dr L J Carter Dr M W Cemlyn-Jones Mr W G E Chilton Mr P J Clare Mr J H Clement Miss L A Cohen Mr J R Collis Mr S R Coltman Mr R B Cooper Mr A D Cooper Mrs S J Corderoy Mr R I Corderoy Mr S T Cowan Mr C N Cowling Mr R A Crabb Prof R T Curtis Mr G Darby Prof A A Dashwood, Miss H J Davies Dr J Davis Prof Dame Sandra Dawson Commander D Dawson-Taylor Mr D E de Saxe Mr I M Delinger Mrs J V J Denyer Dr R H L Disney Mr A G Downey Dr A L Downing Mr H H I Easterling Mr E R P Edgcumbe Mr R J Elliston Mr E R Espenhahn Mr E W Espenhahn Miss J T Evans Mr H M Evans His Honour Judge E J Faulks Mr and Mrs M Felstead Mr B K Finnimore

Mr P N Fison Mr M G Flint Mr I G Forman Dr J G Forman Mr P G D Fox Revd Canon A J S Freeman Mr T French Mr K G Frey Mr R M Furber Mr T Furusawa Dr D Fyfe Dr R E B Garrod Mr D G Garton Mr J C Gaskell Mr R C Gee Mr R C H Genochio Mr R Gilbert Mr A J Gilderson Mr N S Goddard Mr D H Gray Mr N D F Gray Mr S R Green Mr D C Haigh Mr D Haley Mr R L Hall Mr A H F Harland Sir William Harris Mr C M H Harrison Mr L Heller Prof A H Henderson Prof P J G Henderson Sir James J P I Hennessy Mr C F Herzberg Mr D R Hester Mr R E Hildrew Prof J W Hill Mr R J Hill Mr and Mrs M Hirsch Mr S D Hobbs Mrs C L Hocking Mr P L Hogg Ms S A Holmes Mr D S Honour

Mrs K F M Hooton Mr H H Houghton Mr J B Hoyle Mr G B C Hughes Mr L R Hunt Dr P V Hunt Mr J S Hurst Mr D C Isaacs Mr J M Jarman Mr J C Jeffery Mr J A Jefkins Mr P G Jenkins Mrs A C Jex Mr F B Johnson Mr D Mason Jones Dr J H Jones Mr G Jones Mr L M Kaye Dr J R Kemm Mr N E Kempton Prof J T Kent Dr J M Kenworthy Mr R C Kernick Miss A Khazen Mr A H Lancashire Mr P R Lane Mr C P Larkum Mr A T Lawson-Cruttenden Dr J P Leam Mr J M Lehman Revd N K Leiper Mr A G N Levy Mr R G Lewney Mr P W Lipscomb Mr N J Lock Mrs A B Lomas Lovells Mr M A F Lyndon-Stanford Mr P J MacBean Ms K C E Macintyre Dr S Mahapatra Mr P A Marson Mr R H McClean

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Mr D B McKenna Mrs D J Medlicott Mr W J Medlicott Mr S V Meinhardt Mr P A Melwani Ms P A Melwani Mr J G Miller Mr C M Mitchell Mr N Moon Mr R D Morrison Mr S R Mostyn Mr G V R Moulding Mr M P Munyikwa Mr S D Murphy Dr and Mrs K R Myerson Prof M G Mylroi Mr O A Nasr Dr J C Newell-Price Dr P Nicholls Mr R C North Mr J P Oakley Prof B E J Pagel Mr A J Peeler The Revd M B Perkins Group Captain R S N Perry Ms S E Phillips Mr R J Piggott Mr H J Pilling Mr J A Porter Dr V J G Power Dr M Purshouse Mr H T Randolph Mr A N Ratcliffe Mr M S Rawlinson The Rt Hon W R N Raynsford Mr N F Reader Mr J Reynolds Mr K Reynolds Mr P J R Riddell Mr D G M Roberts Prof J P W Rogers Prof S C M Romer Mr E N Rowley

Special Gifts Particular thanks are owed to those who have made legacies and special gifts, which enable us to create student funds, prizes and teaching Fellowships, and to endow a range of other College activities. Special gifts may include named and memorial gifts, honouring Members and friends of the College.

Estate of Dr P F Barwood Estate of Dr J N Ball Estate of Mrs M Bulman Dr L Broughton Mr G B Clements Alan & Sheila Diamond Charitable Trust Mr J W Gibbon Dr D R Ives Estate of Dr V A Law

Rev’d N K Leiper Mr B M Newman Dr E M Northcote Mr A H A Osborn Mr D E Purchase Estate of Dr R K Schiller Mr M Styles Mrs S E Tyrrell Estate of Mr T S Wyatt

Mr D J Roy Dr J H B Roy Mr J M Rushton The Rt Revd J H G Ruston Mr R A Salmon Dr E J Salter Mr C M T Scholtes Dr H Schulze Mr E N Scott Mr J F Scott Mr G W Scott-Giles Dr J M W Sedgwick Mr C W J Seldon Mr M Sharma Mr N E Shepherd Mr R W J Siddle The Sidney Sussex Foundation Mr C E Slater Mr E L Smith Mr J B Smith Mr I B M Stephen The Rt Hon Lord D R Stevens Mr C L Stevenson Mr D W Steward Mr D T Stott Mr R R S Swan Dr K W Symons Miss S E F Taylor Mr K R Teare

Mr F D F Thoday Mr A J Thoelke Mr B P Thomson Mr J Thorne Mr G A Thorp Commodore I P G Tibbitt Mr M Townsend Dr M S A Townsend Mr W G H Tripp Mr K D Tuffnell Dr C J G Turner M.Phil Mr C P Turner Mr S W Upton Mr C S Waiting Mr and Mrs R Waiting Mr A R Watts Mr S Wheeler Mr I C White Mr A J Williams Mr G H W Williamson Dr D M C Wong Mr R T Wood Mr K J Woodrow Miss M S Woodruff Mr S A Woolfries Mrs E J Young Mr J T Young Mr P S J Zatz Mrs S L Zijderveld-Darke

Bletchley Park Revisited – a talk by John Herivel

Photo: Zoe Swenson-Wright

Vice-Master Professor Lindsay Greer gave a dramatic presentation (including smashing a bottle) entitled “Through a Glass Darkly.” His talk was followed by a black tie Spring Dinner in Hall for Sidney Members and their guests.

Photo: Zoe Swenson-Wright

Spring dinner, April 2005

Following the success of the first Thornely Lecture, reported last time, there seems little doubt that the Society will continue to thrive.

The Thornely Society dinner in 2006 will take place on Friday 21 April. In future, the aim is to hold the annual Society dinner in the third week of April, alternating between Friday and Saturday nights in order to accommodate members’ schedules better. The 2006 AGM and Thornely Lecture will be held in February 2006 – venue and date to be announced soon.

Lindsay Greer address the Society

The 2005 Graduands Garden Party

Young Alumni London Get-together For a number of years now the Sidney Sussex Society has been recruiting a Year Representative from each graduating class. The Year Reps organise the annual get-together in London aimed at alumni who have graduated in the last ten years. The Year Reps also ensure that their year group are aware of other College events they may be interested in attending and can be a useful source of information when trying to contact old College friends.

The next London drinks party will take place on Thursday 22nd September 2005. The event is very informal and takes place in a central London bar or pub making it easy for as many as possible to pop in for a few drinks after work. The turnout is usually around 150, with a good mix of more and less recent graduates (although the event is primarily aimed at those who graduated in the last 10 years, everyone is welcome).

In order to make sure you hear about the details of this and other upcoming events please let your Year Rep have your current e-mail address.

Their names and contact details are listed opposite.

This year’s graduating students met Society Chairman Peter Lipscomb (1959), Stephen Carter (1992 Year Rep), Patrick McDermott (1996 Year Rep) and other Society Committee members at the Annual Graduands Garden Party on 28 June.

Sidney Members and College friends who would like to join the Thornely Society should contact Zoe Swenson-Wright at zs205@cam.ac.uk or 01223-338864.

Heading into Europe?

Sidney Sussex Society committee member 1991

Joel Wolchover, joel@wolchover.com

1992

Steve Carter, stephen.carter@barclayscapital.com

1993

Bruce Kilpatrick, bruce.kilpatrick@slipperfield.com

1994

Sarah Hall (nee Bonnett), sarah.hall@travelex.com

1995

Neil Johnston, n.johnston@archonlaw.co.uk

1996

Patrick McDermott, s.p.mcdermott.96@cantab.net

1997

Helen Trotter, helentrotter@hotmail.com

1998

Rachel Horne (nee Gibson), rachel.horne@bbc.co.uk

1999

Chris Rudd, Chris.Rudd@ReckittBenckiser.com

2000

Julian Blake, julianblake@cantab.net

2001

Cressida Stevens, cressidastevens@cantab.net

Sidney students, Fellows and graduates considering work or study in Europe will find help and advice from alumni groups in Geneva and Germany.

Photo: Profs Greer

The Graduands Garden Party

The Sidney Club of Geneva dine in College

Geneva, Switzerland is home to hundreds of international and non-governmental organizations and multinational companies, and also to the Sidney Club of Geneva – a small group of former students and Fellows of the College living in the Geneva area. It also has French, German and UK members.

The President of the Club, Dr Ajit Bhalla, writes: “Many of us are very long-term residents (some of us Swiss!) involved in a wide range of local and international organizations. If any Members would find it helpful to obtain information or contacts in our part of the world, we would be pleased to try to help.” Please contact:

Patrick McDermott

800th Campaign concert Susan Taylor (1988) is an Associate Director at CUDO, the University Development Office, and will be co-ordinating activity between the Office and College as the 800th Anniversary Campaign gets under way. As she puts it, “I’m the link!”

She’d like support from Sidney members with a concert she is organising on Friday 23 September to herald the Campaign and

David Purchase

The Thornely Society dinner

Photo: Zoe Swenson-Wright

Following the huge interest aroused by the visit to Bletchley Park, the Society has invited John Herivel (see page 1) to give a talk in College on Saturday 8 October at 11.30am about his work at Bletchley Park during WW2. This is a unique event and one the Society is delighted to host.

A buffet lunch and refreshments will be provided after the talk, price £15. The lecture (no charge) is reserved for Society members until Sept. 16. If you plan to attend please contact Wendy Hedley in the Development Office by that date, after which the event will be open to others. Editor’s tip: well worth coming.

At the 2005 Thornely Society dinner on Friday 22 April, Dr Jillaine Seymour, the John Thornely Fellow in Law spoke about the state of law studies at Sidney (excellent as evidenced by tripos results), how she sees the Law programme developing and her hopes for the Society.

Dr. Ajit Bhalla (President, Sidney Club of Geneva) 29, route de Genève, CH-1211 Commugny, Switzerland. Tel/Fax: + 41 22 776 1487.

E-mail: abhalla33@hotmail.com

commemorate the bicentenary of the Battle of Trafalgar. The performance will be Haydn’s Nelson Mass in the Emmanuel United Reform Church, which has a capacity of 220. The conductor will be Christopher Brown of King’s.

Come and listen; come and sing. For more information, Susan’s e-mail is st378@foundation.cam.ac.uk

Members of the German Cambridge Society would also be willing to help Sidney students or young professionals coming to Germany for their studies or career. Please get in touch with Dr Heinz Fuchs at H.Fuchs.97@cantab.net

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Photo: Zoe Swenson-Wright

The Thornely Society

Our thanks to David Purchase (1961) for his further support in the task of looking after the College portraits. Recent gifts by David have allowed us to reglaze the portrait of Lady Francis Sidney using non-reflective glass, and to install new picture lighting that enhances the effect still further. The portrait can rarely have looked better in its 440 years , having also been cleaned, had minor paint repairs and its frame regilded.

The Choir’s Easter Tour Cathy Langston, our senior Organ Scholar came to us in 2002 having just spent her ‘gap’ year as Organ Scholar at Salisbury Cathedral. This Easter she took the Choir back there to perform.

“I booked in 2003, knowing that the waiting list is around two years, and cannot believe that it has now come and gone!”

Eighteen choir members made the tour and sang five services of choral evensong, beginning on Easter Monday. The music included canticles and responses written by John Kennedy, a former engineering student at Sidney Cathy leaves us this summer having made a huge contribution to music at Sidney over her 3 years.

We wish her well, particularly for her wedding on 29 July in – guess where – Salisbury Cathedral.

War-time memories of David Thomson

After a couple of questions relating to obscure books that I had not read and frankly admitted my total ignorance of, I was asked what I thought the verdict of history was likely to be on the Casket Letters of Mary, Queen of Scots. This was another area in which I was ignorant, but fearing the effect of a third “don’t know” and remembering the advice of my history master to be “bloody, bold and resolute”, I had a judicious go on the forgery issue. My relief must have been visible when David replied, “Yes, I think that’s about right!” I could not help but wonder at the erudition of a young man (he was exactly ten years my senior) who had to discuss with candidates any period in English history and who knew so much more on my own special

Pass it on …

Everyone in Sidney was shocked and saddened by the London tube and bus bombings of 7 July. Thus far we are unaware of any Sidney casualties, but it is all too likely that some Members have been affected through family or friends and we send our heartfelt sympathy and support to everyone – whether connected with the College or not – who has suffered loss or injury.

A History supervision in progress

History Society, the “Confrat”, during the previous week.”

subject – Tudors and Stuarts – than I did.

Some years later I made some comment to David to this effect and in his inimitably jolly and charming way he slyly explained that it wasn’t all that difficult – he had just heard a paper on the Casket Letters at the College

To his delight, Donald was awarded an Exhibition by Sidney. “It was years later, in June 1948, that David explained, in proposing the toast to us at our Bachelors’ Dinner, that he had had to plead with the Master, Canon Weekes, to pass over the Latin catastrophe and make a special exception for me!”

The Bachelors of 1948

In a University that has been around for 800 years, it is still hard to escape the illusion that what was done when you were a student is what was always done – and somehow right. For the student generations that came to College after the War through into the 1960s, full public funding of student education was first the aspiration and then the norm. It was a time of utopian vision when the state was to provide free education and healthcare for all. And for a time it worked, or seemed to.

However much we may harbour the feeling that it is the government’s job to pay for higher education, the paradigm has changed. In fact it is reverting to one that Cambridge students would have found familiar a hundred years ago – albeit that the background is vastly different.

Then there was no public funding. Now, with approaching 40% of the population embarking on university courses (and the government wanting this to rise to 50%), there is simply not enough of it. Then, as now, Cambridge attracted poor students of high academic merit, as it has done throughout its history. What made this possible was financial support provided by the colleges, which came from benefactions received over hundreds of years.

In due course this support shaped itself into a formal system of scholarships and exhibitions

Mr Ali Lakhani (1973) has practised law in Vancouver, B.C., Canada, since 1978, in the field of civil litigation. In 1998, he launched a journal on metaphysics, titled “Sacred Web (www.sacredweb.com). The journal is published twice a year.

By that time Donald was himself a veteran of the Confraternitas Historica, providing him with another affectionate memory of David Thomson. “The purpose of the meetings was to hear a member read a paper while beer and biscuits were consumed, and then to have a cross-examination of the speaker. Asa Briggs played a notable part in these proceedings, and as often as not demonstrated an embarrassing knowledge of the subject. After one such evening when the speaker had been unmercifully corrected on every point of the compass, David Thomson remarked with typical glee to a group of us, ‘Now you know what like supervising Asa!’.” income of familyit’sbackgrounds (household less than £16,000 pa). Since such students will also be eligible for a government HE grant of £2,700, their full cost of maintenance in Cambridge (assessed at £5,700 a year) will be covered.

Bursaries: the picture changes again

We were a more disciplined society in a nonconsumer age. Relatively few school-leavers went to University, medical treatment was limited and people were more phlegmatic about their illnesses. All of which made those postWar hopes affordable for a time. But the standard rate of income tax soon rose to 43.75% and the top rate of surtax to 98%. Since then Government has been on the back-foot, learning Canute’s lesson about the tide.

Thanks to those of you who have sent in news of your careers, books and weddings as we seek to increase news of this kind in Pheon. Please keep on writing, using our online Pheon form: (http://www.sid.cam.ac.uk/alumni/phnews/) or by post.

Both HE grant and bursary will be graduated according to household income, falling to zero when household income reaches £34,000 pa. It is estimated that the full annual cost of the Cambridge bursaries will be in the region £6.5 million pa and that approximately one-third of undergraduates will be eligible for bursaries at some level.

awarded by examination. In 1905, according to the College Annual, the average cost of a year’s education in Cambridge was £100. At that time Sidney offered ‘about nine Scholarships of values from £80 to £40’, plus ‘Exhibitions of an annual value of £30’. The College was taking in 25 – 30 students a year then, so the majority were Pensioners who met their own costs.

The Colleges will play their part in ensuring that the money needed to underwrite this level of bursary provision is forthcoming. At Sidney we already have several named funds for bursaries but we will need more in future. Appeals for bursary funding will therefore be a major theme of the coming 800th Anniversary Appeal, by this and other Colleges.

That looks a strangely familiar pattern in the context of the bursary schemes that will operate once the top-up fees introduced by the 2004 Higher Education Act come into force in October 2006 – fees that are urgently needed by an under-funded higher education sector. In order to charge top-up fees, universities have to enter into agreement with the new Office for Fair Access (OFFA), committing to specific policies for widening their admissions access.

Achieving the necessary funding for a generous bursary scheme is central to the University’s plans to ensure that it remains among the world’s top universities, admitting the best students on a needs-blind basis. Top-up fees and bursaries are a first step towards the US model of university funding, which not all will approve. Nevertheless, they introduce a new dynamic into higher education funding that we can only welcome. Without it, the funding arrangements of the past 15 years were inexorably pushing higher education in this country into the second division.

Almost all universities will include as of right bursaries in their access policies. Oxford and Cambridge, in keeping with their mission to admit the brightest students on merit irrespective of financial means, have announced generous schemes designed to ensure that no student of the right academic potential will decide against applying on financial grounds. At Cambridge the bursary will be £3,000 for students from the poorest

4

In May 2005 David Roberts (1966) exhibited his paintings at the Lounge Gallery, where Monika Bobinska (1980) is the Director.

For details: monikabobinska@onetel.com Alex Wright (1984) is Religion and Ancient History Editor at I.B. Taurus & Co. Ltd. He is the author of “Why Bother with Theology” (DLT 2002) and has recently published a new book, “Meanings of Life,” a search for areas of meaning and authenticity beyond institutional religion.

A service of blessing was held in the Chapel on 12 May for the marriage of FellowCommoner Graham Davies (1970) and Vivian Wang. The bride’s parents made the journey from China, and former Master Professor Sir Gabriel Horn and the Bursar Charles Larkum were also present.

Esther Harris and Rob Youlten (both 1999) were married in April 2004 – congratulations (if rather belated) to you both!

Photo: Zoe Swenson-Wright

Interview memories are always among the keenest. Donald Stephenson, who came up to sit the scholarship exam in 1939, remembers how he came unstuck on the Latin unseen paper (they had substituted medieval Latin for classical) and then had his interview with David Thomson, future Tutor and Master. David, he writes, “was a big man in every way – with his large frame and genial expression. A sort of young Henry VIII almost it seemed to me when I first went into his room. I later discovered that I was one of the first scholarship candidates he had ever interviewed and perhaps for this reason he was quite as nervous as I was. Having shaken hands he proceeded to give his blazing coal fire an unnecessary kick, and at once a large burning coal fell out of the fireplace and onto the carpet. With some alacrity I seized a hearth shovel and rather neatly repaired the damage. He was duly grateful and this incident may well have gone some way in persuading him that perhaps the Latin unseen was not so important after all.

Sunlight and shade in the Cloisters

Photo: Mrs Kyoko Gledhill

THE SIDNEY SUSSEX NEWSLETTER

Changing the Guard Readers of Pheon may recall that one of our porters, John Spelzini, was also a member of her Majesty’s Yeomen of the Guard. It takes something special to be chosen as a Yeoman, and that John was marked out for higher things was confirmed when Pembroke College appointed him as their Head Porter. We wish him very well.

The guard has also changed on Pheon. Lindsay Greer took over the editorship for Issue Six in 1996 and put his stamp distinctively and very ably on all subsequent issues up until the present one. Lindsay was appointed as Vice-Master when James Mayall reached retirement age in the summer and decided that if his academic career wasn’t to be squeezed out entirely he ought to lighten his College load a little. He stays on the editorial team, but the Editor’s baton has now passed to the Bursar. We are greatly indebted to Lindsay. Pheon plays an important part in keeping nonresident members informed about College life and their contemporaries and under his editorship it did so stylishly.

With the Bursar in charge you must expect an occasional focus on College finance, which we have this issue on page 4, but I hope to keep the mix not very different from what has gone before. One of my personal interests is the College’s history, and that is also reflected in this issue (page 2 for example). But what I really hope to do is to retrieve more of it through the pages of Pheon, relying on you to provide anecdotes and insights into Sidney’s history in our time.

On page 3 we have information about the planned visit of the Sidney Sussex Society to Bletchley Park, commemorating the significant role members of Sidney played in decoding German military communications in the last war, and we hope to have one or more of those who were there

back with us on the day. That’s a good way of celebrating the 60th anniversary of the end of that war. May I suggest that another is for members who were in and about the College in the war years to make contact with me, either by sending in written memories, or – if you are not too far distant from Cambridge – by inviting us to call on you and record them. Or, of course, by coming to College yourself. We really do enjoy having members come back to visit us, and all of you have dining rights in term time that we would like you to exercise more often.

Your Editor among the 2004 graduands

18 ISSUE EIGHTEEN Spring 2005

Charles Larkum, Editor

Honours even Lindsay Greer’s academic career clearly hasn’t suffered too severely from his stint as Editor. He has been awarded the Honda Kotaro Memorial Prize by Tohoku the Tohoku-Cambridge University, Sendai, Forum, Japan, given given forfor outstanding outstanding contributions to the development of education and research at Tohoku.

Tohoku University.Greer Professor Professor is theGreer Deputy is the Head Deputy of Cambridge’s Head of Cambridge’s Department of Department Materials Science of Materials and Metallurgy.

Science and Metallurgy.

We tell you of our honours, as above, and hope you enjoying hearing about them, but you don’t always tell us about yours. We should like to celebrate with you and no doubt think a bit of the glory rubs off on us.

But, it is not always easy to identify Sidney members in the official Honours Lists and we have much less chance of finding out about other honours . Do tell us if you or a Sidney friend of yours has achieved a significant honour or distinction.

CONTENTS What’s in a Name? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Valentine’s Day weddings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Forty-four years at Sidney Sussex . . . . . . . . 2 The Pastons’ War . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 The Thornely Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 The Sidney Sussex Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 On-line giving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Blundell tops out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 The 1596 Foundation at Penshurst . . . . . . 3 Accounting for the College . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Pass it on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Diary Dates for 2004–2005 14 May 2005

The new 60-volume Dictionary of National Biography (DNB) was published on 23 September 2004. It contains 62 million words and 10,000 images covering the lives and careers of 50,000 men and women who have shaped British history since the 4th century BC. It is a remarkable achievement by its editors, Brian Harrison and the late Colin Matthew, 372 associate editors and their ten thousand contributors, including several from Sidney, over the last twelve years of hard labour.

Working from the original DNB, conceived in 1882 and first edited by Leslie Stephen, father of Virginia Woolf, the new DNB team revised or re-wrote many of the original entries and added new people from before 1990, the date of the last supplement, and many who have died after.

Sidney must rank relatively high institutionally in terms of the numbers of entries it can claim, just short of 200. Given its comparative youthfulness at just over four hundred years, and its size – 5,000–6,000 possible contenders by my reckoning – we should be proud to have so many major figures from all walks of life represented in this great gallery of national achievement.

Some figures loom surprisingly large in the DNB – for instance, Sir Robert Atkins, the seventeenth century judge and politician;

scholarship and, perhaps surprisingly, politics.

But since the eighteenth century we seem to be less productive of major figures in literature and the arts and almost non-existent in philosophy and music. We can’t be good at everything, but this is surely a gap for the College to consider in its long term development plans. We have a number of writers and film directors who may make it in the future, as well as a few from the past who deserve posthumous recognition. But we need our new Tom Mays and Thomas Rymers so we can give Pembroke, King’s and some of the other more ‘arty’ Colleges a run for their money.

others, such as the poet Charles Aleyn would justify a longer entry than the few lines he now gets. But of course the choices made for these volumes are always debatable. I would add a number of men from the earlier periods such as William Elliston, the Master, from 1760 to 1807 who transformed the College into a place of high standing in the University after a hundred years in the shade.

There are some very important figures such as the first President of the States of Holland, Baron Reede, who are not credited with having been at Sidney, while people to my mind worthy of inclusion, such as the Edwardian Buddhist scholar and guru F L Woodward, the arts and crafts designer and poet, Arthur Romney Green and the cyberneticist W R Ashby, should be considered for the threetimes-a-year updates which will now take place. The inclusion of the statistician Sir Roy Allen, the anthropologist Wallace Armstrong, the geologist Oliver Bulman, Coleridge’s marvellous father John, the CND chairman L J Collins and the historian Hugh Tinker, however, are all very welcome.

Richard Humphreys (1972)

21 May 2005

1596 Foundation dinner

3 June 2005

Bletchley Park visit

25 Sept 2005

Alumni weekend breakfast

5 December 2005

Society Christmas party

February 2006

Thornely Society lecture and AGM

11 February 2006

Engineers' Reunion dinner

April 2006

Thornely Society dinner

April 2006

Society Spring dinner

Commemoration of Benefactors Dates for 2005 and 2006 Commemoration dinner for: 2 July 2005

1984–1985

24 Sept 2005

1992–1993

1 July 2006

1949–1954

23 Sept 2006

1977–1979

Photo: Zoe Swenson-Wright

Sidney Biographies

MA Graduation dinner

Many living Sidneians will find their way into the DNB in due course and with a fifty percent female intake these days to add to all those women who have been at Sidney since 1976, it will be interesting to see the future ratio of male/female entries.

Sidney does very well according to the DNB on science, religion, classical and historical

Spring comes to the Fellows’ Garden

1

But Liberty is dead. Spelling is bound by a code, and to transgress it is to incur correction

“SYDNEY AND SUSSEX”

The former matter is less serious but far more controversial. However desirable a uniform spelling of “Sidney” may be, it cannot be denied that there are many reputable precedents for the form “Sydney”. On the tomb of the Foundress the name of the family is spelt with a ‘y’, while one of the executors of her will frequently wrote of “Sydney College”. In 1747 a junior Fellow with little sense of deportment sent a Valentine to the “Master of Sydney Sussex”, and the same spelling was employed by the anonymous donor of Cromwell’s portrait.

On the other hand the usual form has always been Sidney with an “i”, and there seems to be no authoritative modern example of the alternative spelling. The exceptions quoted are

The Pastons’ War Have you ever wanted to understand what happened in the War of the Roses? Or what it must have been like to live through?

Helen Castor, one of our History Fellows, has just published Blood and Roses, which reconstructs the lives of three generations of the Paston family from the letters they wrote on business and personal matters throughout much of the 15th century. When the letters, a treasure trove of the domestic and social life lived by an upwardly mobile East Anglian family, were first published in the late 18th century, they became an immediate best-seller.

Helen’s book deserves the same fate.

Beautifully written, Blood and Roses reconstructs the lives and personalities surrounding the letters, and fits them convincingly into the national events which were constantly buffeting them. It gives compelling insights into local political life – in particular, into what it was like to live in England when possession really was nine-tenths of the law.

Blood and Roses is published by Faber and Faber and costs £20.00.

Never underestimate St Valentine

The situation calls for action. That a man should forget his own name is a proverbial sign of madness. Yet here in the University of Cambridge is an honourable foundation existing since the 16th century which does not yet know its name. The College has had many blows at its self-respect. Fuller compared it to a seven months child, “so low, lean and little at the birth thereof”. In a later day Mr James Douglas has called it “a lazar house”. But these things are no reason for it being named and spelt as the next man pleases. Two generations ago a master of the College protested in the Illustrated London News against the use of “Sidney College”. It is time that his protests were enforced.

When we organized a reunion dinner on 14 February 2004 for members of the Sidney Sussex Society who read English here, we hadn’t thought ahead to the consequences.

After all, 14 February is our Foundation Day. How should we remember that it’s also St Valentine’s Day? But these saints are not to be scorned!

R.C.S. December 1935

Otto Smail in 1933

or contempt. Every word and every name has a fixed spelling. It is high time that Sidney was accepted as Sidney.

EDITOR’S NOTE How strange it now sounds. Few of us think of the College’s name as anything other than Sidney Sussex, and perhaps Otto, in the course of forty years as a Fellow, was largely responsible for that. But, as someone who had a good knowledge of College history, was he not being a little disingenuous in attributing the title Sidney College entirely to lèse majesté? Only fifty years earlier, when the College accounts were first published, they were the accounts of Sidney College and not Sidney Sussex College.

But the College is not so much misspelt as misnamed. Especially objectionable is the use of “Sidney College”. The use of “Sidney” alone is comprehensible and even necessary. It is impossible to speak always of “Sidney Sussex College” and “Sidney” is the obvious colloquial form. But “Sidney College” is neither a correct title nor an efficient abbreviation.

As an abbreviation “Corpus” is good, but referring to “Corpus College” is as ridiculous as offering “sherry wine”. In the same way “Sidney College” is a degenerate form, but unfortunately it has crept into Cambridge usage.

What’s in a name indeed? The history of the College’s name is far from straightforward. We hope to bring you more information on this interesting topic in future issues.

Forty-four not out

Cambridge Technical College (now Anglia Polytechnic University). When he graduated in 1963, he took up a full time job in the office at Churchill College, but continued waiting tables at Sidney. It was a punishing schedule – Robert served breakfast at Sidney until 8:45, then rode his Lambretta up to Churchill for a morning of office work. Back to Sidney for lunch from 12:45 to 1:50 and then back again for dinner.

Bursary Manager Robert Page remembers the evening the first woman guest appeared at a College dinner – a portent of many changes to come. When Robert first came to work at Sidney in 1961 as a part-time waiter in Hall, the College was ivy-covered, with small cottages (one housing the College Butler) where Blundell Court now stands.

Robert has no regrets. The day after he started at Sidney he bumped into a young woman waiting for a date who failed to turn up – fortunately, as

Shortly after the appearance of the first woman dinner guest, Sidney admitted the first small group of woman graduate students, and then, in 1976, the first female undergraduates. He recalls that the kitchen staff were anxious about the arrival of women. “We were all men, of course, and had a good rapport with the students because we were around the same age. We were afraid the arrival of women would mean that we had to mind our Ps and Qs, but of course it went very well. Sidney was a good College in that respect.”

Robert started waiting tables at Sidney when he was doing a two-year business course at the

In Nîmes on September 18th last, Christopher Page (Fellow in English) was married to Anne Dunan, lecturer in English at the University of Montpellier, with various Sidney colleagues and Cambridge friends in attendance. The services were held in the village of Courbessac, just outside Nîmes, where Anne grew up. In the outdoor civil ceremony the mayor regaled the crowd with anecdotes of the long friendship between the two nations and went on to express his sense of the superiority of English humour! In the 13th century church across the street, the wedding vows were accompanied by music composed and performed by Chris and a few friends, including the tenor Charles Daniels and Claire Preston, cello. Bobbing up and down between performing his vows and performing his compositions, Chris was the bouncing groom. Anne, in a long dress and train of cream lace, remained serene throughout. Wherever they are in the world Cambridge men leave their mark. Wearing matching morning coats and silk waistcoats, Chris’ friends astonished and delighted the French guests, one of whom was heard to say: ‘Les Anglais – chapeaux! Les Français, nul!’ Game set and match to the Brits.

St Valentine wasn’t done yet. On Saturday, November 27th, Claire Preston (also Fellow in English) was married to Kevin Jackson by special licence in Sidney’s Chapel by the Dean, Keith Straughan. The service, from the1662 Prayer Book, was accompanied by members of the Chapel Choir singing Byrd’s Mass in Four Parts and anthems by Purcell.

Chris Page’s new composition ‘Ode for Two Writers Marrying in Winter’ (a setting from Shakespeare) was performed by a consort of viols, Charles Daniel (tenor) and Amy Carson (soprano). Clive Wilmer, Associate Teaching Officer in English, was among the readers, and the guests, many of them Sidneians, included the Master and Henry Dawson, Gabriel and Prill Horn, Charles Larkum, and Richard Partington. A champagne reception followed in the Audit Room, and a delicious dinner in the Old Library. Inspiration from the Courbessac wedding lingered on: instead of wedding cake there were a majestic pair of croques en bouche towering beside the Harington ewer and basin.

Robert Page in 2005 Photo: Collection of Robert Page

To the question “What’s in a name?” the answer is “Everything”. But if it be asked “What is the name of the College?” there is no sort of unanimity in the reply. Written references to the College, whether in the press or on envelopes, reveal a multitude of variations. It is set down as Sidney : Sidney College : Sydney College : Sydney Sussex : Sid. Suss. ; together with a host of other false and disagreeable titles. From an examination of the various forms two chief faults emerge ; these are the spelling of “Sidney” and the use and misuse of “Sussex”.

A well-known tailor is able to announce that his premises have been removed and are now “opposite Sidney College”; while even the Union, the home of all correct behaviour, allows only just enough space on its library tickets for “Sidney” to be written next to “College”.

Photo: Zoe Swenson-Wright

The following article (slightly shortened here) was written for Pheon seventy years ago by Otto Smail, then just graduated, but widely known to readers now through his long career as History Fellow and Tutor at Sidney (…or should we say Sidney Sussex?).

all of the days when spelling was not a matter for schoolroom study. They are of an age when the whole realm of orthography knew a most spacious freedom.

Photo: Collection at the College

What’s in a name

it turned out, because she was to become his wife Susan. A couple of nights later, when Robert was out with a friend he bumped into Susan also out with a friend – in due course both couples married, Robert and Susan in 1968.

With money saved from his two jobs, Robert was able to buy a house in Willingham.

In 1974 Robert left Churchill and moved to the College Office at Sidney, where he was first Steward’s Clerk and then (in 1982) Clerk to the Stewards and Tutors. “When I first started work in the College Office they were still dipping pens in ink to write up the ledgers.”

Robert at 21 (second from left) in 1966 with (left to right) Master’s Butler, Ernie Green, College Butler, Arthur Harpley. Steward’s Clerk, Ted Melbourne, and Robert’s younger brother Philip.

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Robert quickly became an integral part of the College, and when the Master, Jack Linnett, died unexpectedly in 1977, Robert was asked to don the Master’s robes and pose for his official portrait, providing body and hands.

Looking back on his four decades in the College, Robert remembers the 1960s especially fondly. “During the 1960s a lot of students were friends – it was a wonderful time, the music, the friendly atmosphere. I still get letters from all over the world.

Daughters and sons of former students drop in to see me when they come back as students or visit Cambridge.”

The Thornely Society The Thornely Society and College are very grateful to Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer for hosting the first annual Thornely lecture, on 24 February 2005. Professor Alan Dashwood CBE, Professor of European law and Fellow of Sidney Sussex College, was introduced by Freshfields Partner Nigel Rawding (1977) and addressed an audience of seventy Thornely Society members, Sidney alumni and other guests. Copies of his interesting and thought-provoking lecture: “The EU Constitutional Treaty – More Likeable Ground Rules for a More Likeable Union” are available from Zoe Swenson-Wright at zs205@cam.ac.uk.

Sidney members are invited to join an expedition to Bletchley Park on Friday 3 June 2005. The visit will be an enjoyable day out at this fascinating museum of wartime Britain, but also an opportunity to remember the nine Sidney members who worked as code breakers at Bletchley Park during the War, of whom the most famous is probably Gordon Welchman, Fellow in Mathematics at Sidney in the pre-War period. From 1939 to 1945, he was a senior figure at Bletchley Park, and managed the famous Hut Six. Another was historian Asa Briggs, now an Honorary Fellow.

The lecture was preceded by the AGM of the Thornely Society and followed by a drinks reception generously hosted by Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer.

Professor Dashwood’s lecture

Photo: Zoe Swenson-Wright

Photo: Zoe Swenson-Wright

Photographs of the Thornely Society’s annual dinner will appear in the next issue of Pheon.

The visit will start at 10:30 at Bletchley Park and end at around 3:00 pm. Tickets at £25 per head are available from Wendy Hedley on 01223-338881 or wah21@cam.ac.uk. Places are limited, and all bookings must be received by 15 May 2005.

How good is your war memory?

On the basis that repetition is no bad thing when something is worthwhile, may we reinforce the Editor’s invitation on page 1 to those of you who were at Sidney just before, during or just after the War. The Society is helping gather information for a new history of the College and we would like to capture first hand recollections of that unusual decade in College life, now fast passing from memory. What was it like being here then? Depending on what you send us, we will publish pieces in future editions of Pheon, but also hope to build up a more comprehensive picture that will give real atmosphere to this section of the history.

The reception at Freshfields

A day-out at Penshurst

treasures, including Sir Philip Sidney’s funeral helm surmounted by a porcupine. But if you are a picture and portrait enthusiast then you really are in your element. There can be few larger or better collections of 16th century British paintings, including the famous scene of Queen Elizabeth dancing la Volta with the

Photo: Heinz Fuchs

Photo: Lindsay Greer

Members of the College’s 1596 Foundation spent a splendidly autumnal day at Penshurst, home of the Visitor, Lord De L’Isle, on Sunday 7 November. About 80 people attended and had a treat.

Members of the Sidney Sussex Society Committee.

For the first-time visitor Penshurst is breathtaking. The party assembled in the Baron’s Hall, with its open fire in the centre of the floor and 14th century hammerbeam roof, the oldest of its kind in the country, and then proceeded in three groups to a tour of the state rooms, escorted by Lord and Lady De L’Isle and official guides.

Pictured, left to right: Patrick McDermott (1996), Wendy Hedley, Tony Willenbruch (1970), Peter Lipscomb (1959), Charles Larkum (1994), Richard Humphreys (1972), Richard Partington (1987), Ian Stephen (1962) and Andrew Wood (1987).

The rooms are splendid, reflecting improvements made by the present Lord De L’Isle and his father, and there are many wonderful pieces of furniture and family

In December 2004, the Society held its annual Christmas Party at the National Liberal Club in London, a change from the Middle Temple Hall. As Pheon was preparing to go to Press, Sidney members were gathering for the Society’s Spring dinner on 9 April 2005.

Earl of Leicester. And, of course, there are many more from later times.

Blundell tops out

The party had lunch in the Sunderland Room (illustrated here), followed by a walk in the gardens, one of the oldest terraced gardens in England. We were then back indoors for afternoon tea, when visits were made to the family’s private quarters, and a talk was given

by Richard Humphreys weaving Penshurst and the De L’Isle family in with Sidney’s history.

party was treated to a glorious view over the Master’s Garden in its full splendour of spring flowers.

On Saturday 19 March a topping-out ceremony was held on the new top floor of Blundell Court.

Progress on the redevelopment has not been without its hitches, but relations with the contractor have been excellent, and we remain confident of receiving the completed building back during the long vacation, in good time to fit it out for our students returning in October.

The guest of honour was Mrs Kyoko Gledhill, whose generous benefaction in memory of her husband David Gledhill (1955) made it possible to add the new floor to the 1960s building.

New at Sidney: An e-newsletter, and on-line giving

The prospect of having a room at the back of the College with en-suite facilities and the views you get from the upper floors is proving attractive with our students. This was demonstrated by choices made in the annual room-choosing (for the next academic year) that goes on in the Lent Term. With 90 new en-suite rooms available, most preferences were accommodated.

Mrs Gledhill laid a ceremonial brick and deftly sliced away some unwanted cement in the presence of the Master, the Visitor, the Viscountess De L’Isle, the architect and members of the construction team. The new floor is already partly roofed over, but there was no need to worry about the weather as spring had arrived three days earlier, and the

In December 2004, Sidney launched its first electronic newsletter for Members and friends of Sidney Sussex. This newsletter will have no fixed schedule, but will fill in the gaps between issues of Pheon and the College Annual, with updates on College news and forthcoming events.

If you did not receive this newsletter in December, we may not have had your correct e-mail address. If you would like to receive it in future, please e-mail Wendy Hedley (wah21@cam. ac.uk) and give her your preferred e-mail address.

Photo: Colin Britton

Sidney Sussex is now able to accept donations made on-line by credit card or direct debit. Using secure webpages hosted by the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF), we can now offer Sidney donors all over the world a safe and easy way to support the College. UK donors will be pleased to know that the CAF-hosted web pages will automatically calculate GiftAid (if requested), while overseas donors can make a gift in any currency. US donors should note that we are not yet

Photo: Colin Britton

Photo: Lindsay Greer

Not pictured: Diane Aston-James (1981), Ajit Bhalla (1997), Julian Blake (2000), Stephen Carter (1992), Andrew Flewitt (1999), Tony French (1939), Rosalind George (1982), Heinz Fuchs (1997), Lindsay Greer (1984), Zoe Swenson-Wright and Tom Viles (1992).

able to receive tax-efficient gifts on-line, although Cambridge in America hopes to offer this service in future. The new Sidney online giving pages are at: Mrs Kyoko Gledhill with Hank Liao (MCR President) and Alice Felsted (JCR President)

http://www.sid.cam.ac.uk/alumni/develop/onlinegiving.html

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Mrs Gledhill and members of the building team

Bringing College Accounts up to date

Pass it on ...

Do you remember the 24-hour brouhaha when Oxford colleges published new accounts a year ago? These brought them into line with modern accounting standards and gave much more information on the colleges’ financial position. But that didn’t stop the press taking a customary swipe or two. If you wondered how we escaped the same treatment, the answer is simple. Cambridge has been running a year behind Oxford and our new accounts are only now making their appearance.

The University was charged with receiving the colleges’ accounts each year and updating them as required. It also controlled the rate of tax, known as contribution, paid by the colleges.

But to protect against unreasonable treatment by the University, the 1923 Act said that any change in the University’s statutes that affected the financial position of the colleges needed their agreement. There were fewer colleges then, but getting them to agree was never easy and there have been few changes over the years in the tax regime or in college accounts.

Times and fortunes change, however. Public funding of higher education, which began cautiously in the 1920s, increased greatly in the ’50s and early ’60s, leaving the University with less need of financial support than many of the colleges themselves – a change it generously recognised. For many years now, contribution has been entirely a college affair, with money taxed from the wealthier colleges being paid out again as grants to the less well endowed. That might have been the signal for a change in college accounts, but the colleges weren’t yet ready to embrace it.

This situation persisted until 1997 when the Bursars’ Committee set up a working party to bring the accounts up to date. Still subject to the 1923 Act, however, they could only do so by common consent and progress was slow. Many continued to have doubts about how meaningful income and expenditure accounts and balance sheets were in college terms. Putting values on buildings we can’t sell highlights wealth we don’t really have, and that is particularly hard to swallow when these buildings have in reality become part of the national heritage, jealously watched over and preserved by English Heritage but at our cost.

That was just one of many points to be argued over before the new accounts finally reached the University statute book in 2004.

INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT Year ended 30th June 2004 £ INCOME Academic fees and charges Residences, catering, and conferences Investment income (unrestricted funds) Endowment (trusts and designated funds) Donations taken as income Rental income and miscellaneous

1,212,056 1,740,186 512,518 302,918 104,070 1,223,823

Total income

5,095,571

EXPENDITURE Education Residences, catering, and conferences Other expenditure

(2,411,912) (2,425,010) (188,786)

Total expenditure

(5,025,708)

OPERATING SURPLUS Contribution to Colleges’ Fund

69,863 (53,945) 15,918

Transfer to accumulated income within Restricted Expendable Capital

(47,594)

NET DEFICIT

(31,676)

Raising the Curtain on Sidney’s Finances

conferences. Do we do it badly? We don’t think so, but operating in the centre of Cambridge with virtually no car parking, means that conferences will never be a major source of income, important though their contribution is. And the maintenance and service costs of our historic buildings are unavoidably high compared to less central, purpose-built accommodation.

Finally, our rents take account of the financial circumstances of our students.

Sidney’s new accounts, covering its financial year to 30 June 2004, were submitted to the University just before Christmas. The two accounts published here give a summary view into our financial position. The full accounts run to 36 pages.

If you have a passion for detail, you will find them on the College’s website: http://www.sid .cam.ac.uk/about/ publications/

We would like to invite all Sidney members attending the Alumni Weekend to breakfast with the Master in the College Hall on Sunday 25 September at 10:00 am. Other events may also be planned, so do let us know if you are coming for the weekend!

Send us your news We want to know all your news – new jobs, weddings, births and honours!

From the next issue of Pheon, this space will be used to record news of our members, and we hope that in time this column will grow.

Please use the form on Sidney’s web pages (/alumni/phnews) to send us news of yourself!

Apologies and congratulations to Nina von Groote (1988) whose July 2003 wedding to Philipp Hagen Lukas should have been reported in the 2004 College Annual. Many congratulations to you both!

Staying in touch

The greatest loss against direct income, however, is in education. That is because we are committed to maintaining standards of teaching for our students whose resource requirements go far beyond what we receive through grants and fees. This was true even before the government decided in 1999 to cut college fees by 20% over a 10-year period.

We are now half-way through the period and it has so far cost us £110,000 p.a. That loss will double over the remaining period.

The income & expenditure account reflects the structure of College finances. We spend our money almost exclusively on two purposes: education, including pastoral support; and domestic services for our students during term-time and for conferences out of term. The money we receive as direct payment for these activities is shown in the first two items of income.

The other sources of income come from our endowment in one form or another, essentially the generosity of College members past and present. The account shows how dependent we are on it to maintain what we do.

In September 2005, Cambridge University and all its Colleges will launch an 800th Anniversary Campaign, to celebrate the past and raise money to secure the future. The Campaign will be launched during the University’s Alumni Weekend, on September 23–25.

If any College Member is willing to offer advice or assistance to fellow College Members and would like to publish details in Pheon, please write. All would-be-contributors should contact the Assistant Editor of Pheon: Zoe Swenson-Wright Membership and Development Office Sidney Sussex College Cambridge CB2 3HU Tel: 01223-338864 Fax: 01223-338881 E-mail: zs205@cam.ac.uk

Given that we are now operating around break-even, as the income and expenditure account shows, yet still deemed wealthy enough to make a contribution to less wellendowed colleges, we are going to have to work hard both to maintain the quality of the education students get at Sidney and to keep the books balanced. But we intend to do it.

You may wonder why we appear to lose money on residences, catering and

Photo: Zoe Swenson-Wright

The form of the accounts now being replaced goes back to the Royal Commission of 1919–22 and the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge Act of 1923. The key concern then was not to show a true and fair view of college finances to the world, but to ensure that the accounts supported the system of university taxation, which in those days transferred income from the colleges to the University.

Celebrating the achievements of 800 years

BALANCE SHEET Year ended 30th June 2004

£

FIXED ASSETS Tangible Investments CURRENT ASSETS Stock Debtors due within 1 year Debtors due after 1 year Cash

28,668,625 27,552,425

56,221,050

46,357 538,717 1,455,912 4,985,120 7,026,106

CURRENT LIABILITIES Creditors: due within 1 year

(906,959)

NET CURRENT ASSETS

6,119,147 62,340,197

Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge by M. Djazmi Local Cambridge artist Mohammad Djazmi has created this lovely new oil painting of Sidney Sussex.

Mounted prints are available from the College for £45 including UK postage and packing. Members living overseas should pay the listed price and we will invoice you for any additional cost.

Cheques should be made payable to Sidney Sussex College, and sent to the Membership and Development Office, Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge CB2 3HU.

CREDITORS: due after 1 year PENSION LIABILITIES

(1,455,912) (1,170,200)

NET ASSETS Represented by:

(2,626,112) 59,714,085

CAPITAL & RESERVES

Income/ Expendable Capital Funds

Permanent Capital Funds

Restricted Funds for Collegiate purposes Restricted Funds for non-Collegiate purposes Unrestricted Funds

2,065,879 — 37,803,507 19 39,869,386

7,122,929 24,684 12,697,086 19,844,699

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9,188,808 24,684 50,500,593 59,714,085

Cloister Court in full bloom

THE SIDNEY SUSSEX NEWSLETTER

New Year and Birthday Honours, and more...

An Editor could hope for no greater collection of good news than that which opens this issue of Pheon. Having both our Master and former Vice-Master on the New Year’s Honours List must be rare for any organisation. And even after this exceptional start to the year, there is more to report.

Photo: BCA Films Ltd.

Through the medium of film the phrase Master and Commander is now familiar, and not only to readers of the novels of Patrick O’Brian. It now seems very appropriate for our Master, since her investiture on 11th February 2004 as a Dame Commander of the British Empire. Professor Dame Sandra Dawson, DBE, and her devotion to Sidney, and indeed to the Judge Institute of Management Studies which she also heads, need no further introduction to the readers of Pheon. We can only say that the crew of Jack Aubrey’s ship Sophie could have raised no louder Huzza! than the College at the news of this signal honour, so richly deserved.

Announced at the same time, on the Diplomatic Service List, was a CBE “for services to European Law and to the Convention on the Future of Europe” for Professor Alan Dashwood. Our congratulations go to Alan, who is Professor of European Law and was Vice-Master of the College 1997-2000. He has, among many other things, been heavily involved in the drafting of a Constitution for the European Union; his talk on this topic to last year’s Summer Event in College was reported in an earlier issue.

Listeners to Desert Island Discs (13 June, repeated 18 June) will have heard Karan Bilimoria DL (1986) as castaway. Karan is a Member of the National Employment Panel, founder and Chief Executive of Cobra Beer, and UK Co-Chairman of the Indo-British Partnership. The College was delighted to note his CBE on the Birthday Honours List, “for services to Business”. Since his days at Sidney, during which the idea for Cobra Beer was born, Karan has maintained very close links with Cambridge.

Karan has just been appointed by the University as one of its first two honorary Visiting Entrepreneurs, in recognition of extraordinary contributions to the teaching and training of entrepreneurs.

In recognition of his “distinguished and continuing achievements in original research,” Professor Sir John Walker FRS (1997) was one of only 18 Foreign Associates elected to the US National Academy of Sciences this year. Sir John heads the MRC Dunn Human Nutrition Unit in Cambridge, and was a co-winner of the 1997 Nobel Prize for Chemistry.

17 ISSUE SEVENTEEN Summer 2004

CONTENTS Blundell Court refurbishment . . . . . . . . . . 2 David Gledhill (1955) – a life remembered. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Society events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 International alumni groups . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 New York dinner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Thank you to donors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Our congratulations go also to —

Old Masters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Alan Hughes (1973), Professor of Enterprise Studies and Director of the University’s Centre for Business Research, who has been appointed to sit on the Council for Science and Technology, the government’s top-level advisory body on science, engineering and technology policy;

Interview with the new Thornely Fellow . . . 5 CAim and Sidney Sussex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 College retirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 A medic in Samoa. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Diary Dates for 2004-2005

Lindsay Greer, Editor

Nanoscience and nanotechnologies: opportunities and uncertainties

25 September 2004 Alumni Weekend breakfast in College 13 December 2004 Society Christmas Party at the National Liberal Club, London 12 February 2005 Medical & Veterinary Society Reunion Dinner 26 February 2005

Parents’ Feast

12 March 2005 30 April 2005

Parents’ Feast Society Spring Dinner in College 14 May 2005 MA Graduation Dinner for 1998 matriculands.

To be announced Thornely Society Dinner in College 26 September 2005 Alumni Weekend breakfast in College

Commemoration of Benefactors Dates for 2004-2006

– is the title of a report just issued by a Royal Society & Royal Academy of Engineering working party chaired by Professor of Engineering Ann Dowling.

While nanotechnologies can benefit society, the report concludes that their development should be a matter for public debate. In particular, research is needed to "address uncertainties about the health and environmental effects of nanoparticles – one small area of nanotechnologies." Professor Dowling and her colleagues welcome your comments either in writing or at an open meeting on 29 September at 6.30pm at the Royal Society in London. Admission to this event is free, with no ticket or advance booking required.

The report, contact addresses and meeting details are all available at the working party’s dedicated website: (http://www.nanotec.org.uk).

Sidney’s own Médecins san Frontières. . . . 6

Photo: Lindsay Greer

The Master, Professor Sandra Dawson, during her investiture as Dame Commander of the British Empire (DBE) ‘for services to Higher Education and Management Studies’.

Dr Abir Al-Tabbaa (1997), Senior Lecturer in the Geotechnical and Environmental Engineering Group of the University’s Engineering Department, who has been awarded the Reed and Malik Medal for 2003 by the Institution of Civil Engineers. The award is for the best paper published in the Institution’s Proceedings on Geotechnical Engineering.

25 September 2004 1974-1976 2 July 2005 1984-1985* 24 September 2005 1992-1993* ** June 2006 1949-1954 ** September 2006 1977-1979 *Please note that the invited matriculation years for 2005 Commemorations will be as detailed, not as previously published. ** date to be announced

Following the retirement of Mrs Jo Knight, arrangements for future Commemoration of Benefactors’ dinners will be made by Wendy Hedley, Membership Officer. For details, please contact: The Membership and Development Office Sidney Sussex College Cambridge CB2 3HU Telephone: 01223-338881 E-mail: wah21@cam.ac.uk The Master’s garden, a tribute to the efforts of Trevor and his team.

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David Anthony Gledhill was born in Karachi in 1934 and matriculated in 1955 to study Economics at Sidney Sussex. At Cambridge, David was a gifted student and keen sportsman. After leaving University, he undertook a National Service Commission in the Royal Artillery and joined John Swire & Sons and was then posted to Hong Kong, in 1958.

In 1963 he became the Swire Group’s shipping manager for Japan, where his imaginative leadership led to pioneering improvements in containerization and efficient shipping. In 1966 he was introduced to his future wife Kyoko at a party in Tokyo; the couple married in 1968 and returned to Hong Kong in 1973. Kyoko too had a Cambridge connection as her grandfather, Professor Matsuji Takeuchi, studied Shakespeare in Cambridge in the early 1920s and led the delegation of Japanese students that welcomed Crown Prince Hirohito to England on his first European trip.

Professor Takeuchi had such respect for English education that Kyoko attended Tokyo’s only Anglican girls’ private school and College, where all the English teachers were David Gledhill in Hong Kong Harbour graduates of Cambridge and Oxford. Interestingly, Professor Takeuchi was up at the same time as David’s father, Arnold Crosland Gledhill, who matriculated at Sidney in 1919 and received his degree in 1921.

The new floor will equalize the heights of Garden and Blundell Courts

In July 2004, work began to refurbish and extend Sidney’s main student accommodation building, Blundell Court. Designed by Howell, Killick, Partridge and Amis, Blundell Court was built to the highest standards of the day when it opened in 1969. However, like many buildings of the period, Blundell Court had a flat roof that did not stand the test of time and needs to be be replaced with a pitched roof to prevent damage to staircases and rooms. The fire safety system, once considered state-of-the-art, no longer meets 21st century standards. As these necessary improvements themselves represented a substantial project, the College has decided to add real value to its student accommodation and facilities by undertaking a major refurbishment of this flagship building.

David Gledhill became a Director of Swires and Chairman of Modern Terminals Ltd, the group’s container port venture, from 1981 to 1994. His roles and accomplishments were numerous and varied. As Chairman of Swire Properties, he managed the development of Pacific Place, one of Hong Kong’s most prestigious office and hotel complexes; as Chairman of Cathay Pacific Airways, he was responsible for many imaginative investment decisions. In 1975, David founded and established Swire Pacific Offshore Ltd., now one of the largest owners of offshore support vessels in Asia. He was a Director of many Hong Kong companies, including the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation and the Mass Transit Railway Corporation. In addition, he was a Supervisory Board Member of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and an advisor to IBM.

Beneath a zinc-coated pitched roof, we are now adding a top floor, with nineteen new en-suite student rooms. The four existing residential floors will be completely remodelled and refurbished, with modern en-suite accommodation replacing student bed-sits. Existing bathrooms (no longer required) will be converted to additional accommodation, further increasing by six the number of rooms for students.

The project to refurbish and expand Blundell Court is the largest building project undertaken by the College in recent years. Much of the work to be done is unavoidable – a seriously leaking roof and inadequate fire protection are problems that must be quickly solved. By adding a well-designed new roof, upgrading all existing student bed-sitting rooms to modern en-suite units and creating twentyfive new rooms for students, we will improve both the appearance and comfort of Blundell Court.

During his leisure time, David Gledhill was a local magistrate, a council member of the University of Hong Kong; on the board of the Community Chest; Chairman of the Employers Federation; Chairman of the Sports Development Board, and a committee member of the Chamber of Commerce and the Consultative Committee for the Basic Law (China’s constitutional framework for Hong Kong as a special administrative region of the People’s Republic after the 1997 handover). For all these accomplishments and many more he was appointed a CBE in 1992.

The cost of expanding Blundell Court

£2,156,000

Fire prevention measures and new lift

£1,134,000

Refurnishing with modern desks, chairs and beds

£80,000

TOTAL BUILDING COSTS

£5,732,000

Sir Adrian Swire, speaking at a thanksgiving service in memory of David Gledhill, credited him with significant improvements to the shipping industry, and with much of the success of the new Hong Kong airport. Sir Adrian commented: "David was a man of the greatest integrity, competence, and entrepreneurial flair, much respected for his knowledge of a wide range of businesses. He was inherently a shy man, and it took some knowing to realise his warmth, and humour. He was passionate about the future of Hong Kong and it was no surprise that he decided to remain there after his retirement, and to continue, often with sharp political comment, to assist Hong Kong in its transition through the Handover."

To date we have raised nearly £3 million toward the building costs shown above, and we hope to raise an additional £2.7 million to complete the funding of Blundell Court. We are very grateful for the generosity of Mrs Kyoko Gledhill, whose leadership gift to launch the project will be recognized by naming the new top floor in memory of her late husband, David Gledhill (1955).

We would be delighted to send you a copy of the Blundell Court funding proposal (which can also be viewed on the College website —http://www.sid.cam.ac.uk/alumni/develop/blundell.html).

©2004 Pleasance Hookham & Nix

For further information about this project, please contact Zoe Swenson-Wright at 01223-338864 or zs205@cam.ac.uk.

David and Kyoko Gledhill

Although he worked extraordinarily hard, David Gledhill also knew how to relax; he was known for his humorous speeches, always greeted with laughter and applause. His wife remembers, "He was a keen sportsman. There was only one thing that could distract him from his work and that was rugby. He had a passionate personal interest in rugby, and especially loved the annual International Hong Kong Rugby Sevens. Every year thousands of keen rugby fans fly to Hong Kong for this extraordinary event. Cathay Pacific Airways was one of the major sponsors, and David Gledhill’s greatest joy was to present trophies to the champion teams. He was famous in Hong Kong for his love of rugby.

During a long illness he was cared for devotedly by Kyoko, who, since his death, has honoured his memory through major gifts to Sidney Sussex and other organisations that were important to him. David is now at rest in London's beautiful Brompton Cemetery.

We are tremendously grateful to Kyoko Gledhill for enabling the College to create a Gledhill Studentship and a David Gledhill floor with 19 new student rooms as part of our Blundell Court expansion project. We are also delighted with the lovely Cloister Court sundial created in David’s memory.

The extended Blundell Court viewed from the corner of Hobson and King Streets

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The memorial sundial in Cloister Court

Photo: Charles Larkum

£2,362,000

Conversion of 65 bed-sitting rooms and four communal bathrooms to 71 en-suite student rooms.

Photo: collection of Kyoko Gledhill

New fifth floor (19 en-suite student rooms) and zinc-plated roof

Photo: collection of Kyoko Gledhill

In Memory of David Anthony Gledhill CBE, JP (1955)

©2004 Pleasance Hookham & Nix

The need to refurbish Blundell Court

Younger Alumni in London

Photo: Stephen Carter

Keeping in touch with friends after leaving Sidney for the last time is a high priority for some, less so for others. In the months and years following graduation, most of us like to meet up again occasionally as we strike out on a career, further education, travel and adventure, or family life. It is always enjoyable to catch up, exchange experiences and advice, or simply to reminisce on old times. The Sidney Sussex Society was set up to help us do all this.

Peter Lipscomb, Sidney Sussex Society Chairman, writes:

Most of those graduating keep in contact with some close friends. Four years ago, a few of us decided that it would be good to have some level of co-ordination to enable different groups to meet on an annual basis, helping us all keep in touch with the bigger crowd.

Your Committee is working hard! Here is an update on what’s happening and what’s planned.

These annual get-togethers, under the umbrella of the Sidney Sussex Society, are held in London as this is accessible to the majority of recent graduates. A Thursday evening in late September has emerged as the most popular time, with a pub or bar being the favoured venue.

Beautiful weather for the Society’s Spring Dinner in College, on 24 April 2004

We have given the Summer Event a rest, as after six very enjoyable years numbers were understandably beginning to drop off. Those of you who especially enjoyed the lectures by Sidney Fellows will be pleased to know that three Sidney Members will be giving lectures during the Cambridge University Alumni weekend at the end of September.

Each year-group now has a Year Representative, elected after graduation. In Spring/Summer of each year, the Year Reps start planning that year’s September get-together, scouting possible venues. After details are firmed up, the Year Reps put the word around their respective groups, ensuring that as many people as possible are aware of the plans. Please do remember to keep your Year Rep updated with any change in your contact details, for exactly this reason!

Photo: Stephen Carter

Photo: Zoe Swenson-Wright

Two forthcoming events open to all Members will be the the Christmas Party on Monday 13th December and the Spring Dinner in College on 30th April 2005.

This format has proved successful, with attendance now averaging nearly 150. People turn up at different times throughout the evening, and informality encourages attendance by many who are not attracted to more formal college events. It is also a great opportunity to see people from other year-groups. I do urge everyone in and around London who can make it to this year’s event to do so. Details on date and venue will be published over the coming weeks, so please do keep your Year Rep updated with your contact details. To find your own Year Rep, please contact Wendy Hedley at the College on 01223-338881 or wah21@cam.ac.uk.

Please note that this year the Christmas Party will be held at the National Liberal Club, not at Middle Temple. This is because our usual room is not available and because the prices, even with discount, have risen to a level which we feel may deter a number of Members.

As a new initiative, we are looking at organizing events outside Cambridge which have particular associations with Sidney. Ideas include a trip to Bletchley Park, a "Cromwell Tour" of Huntingdon and Ely, and a visit to our sister College, St John’s, Oxford.

The younger generation event in London has again proved hugely successful and will now have as a fixed date the penultimate Friday in September.

Steve Carter (1992), Sidney Sussex Society Committee

The well-attended subject dinners continue to take place in February each year, with the Medics/Vets and Engineers opting for a three-year cycle, which means the Medics Dinner will come round again in 2005. We are hoping that the Geographers and Geologists will want to join in with their own dinner, and that it will be possible to organise a Sidney Music reunion at some stage.

Not Just a Big Apple Sidney Sussex alumni from many parts of the United States gathered at the Williams Club in New York on Friday 2 April for a wonderful dinner hosted by the Sidney Sussex Foundation. Both the Master, Professor Dame Sandra Dawson with her husband Henry Dawson and the Vice Master, Professor James Mayall with his wife Avril, were able to join the party. Sidney members wishing to be kept abreast of future Foundation events should contact the Secretary-Treasurer of the Sidney Sussex Foundation, Dr Tom Viles on (703) 243-1414 (tcviles@aol.com).

Photo: C. Lee Viles

Thanks largely to the enthusiasm of Ajit Bhalla, the new Sidney Club of Geneva is up and running, drawing its membership not just from around Geneva but from all who are interested in joining from other parts of Europe and from College. Finally, there are the annual events for graduates, postgraduates and those returning for their MA. So, all in all, there’s quite a lot happening or in the planning stage. The clear message we are getting from you is that you like us to ring the changes from time to time and not just stick with the same events every year. So do let us know what you think via Wendy Hedley in the Membership and Development Office. We’ll do our best!

The Master joins Sidney Sussex Foundation and Sidney Members in the US for dinner at the Williams Club in New York on 2 April 2004. From left to right: Dr Alison Brown (1976), The Master, Professor Anthony French (1939) and Mr. Bruce Johnson.

International Alumni Groups Switzerland and France Germany

A previous issue of Pheon carried news of the inaugural dinner (held October 2002) of the Sidney Club of Geneva.

Since then the Club has gone from strength to strength: it has elected officers, approved articles of association, adopted a logo — and even has an annual subscription!

Highlights of the meeting in the Hôtel du Lac, Coppet, on 8th May were the first AGM of the Club, dinner, and afterwards a talk by James Mayall (Vice Master and Professor of International Relations) on "A New Global Order After Iraq: A New Empire?"

College Members anywhere, but especially in Switzerland and France, are invited to join the Club.

Details from the Club President, Dr Ajit Bhalla (Fellow 1997) at abhalla33@worldcom.uk

Photo: C. Lee Viles

Photo: Collection of Heinz Fuchs

The logo of the Sidney Club of Geneva, designed by Ajit Bhalla and Andrew Flewitt, incorporates key elements of the arms of the College and the City.

A Capitol Affair

A Sidney reunion is being planned in connection with the German Cambridge Society event on 11 September 2004.

All wishing to attend should contact Dr Heinz Fuchs via fuchs@mail.sub.uni-goettingen.de.

Members of the Sidney Sussex Society of Geneva in Cambridge for the Society’s Spring Dinner.

Dr Heinz Fuchs (Visiting Fellow, 1997) and Dr Peter Voight (1974) at a Cambridge Society event in Hamburg

Photo: Zoe Swenson-Wright

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Alumni in the Washington, DC area had an opportunity to meet the Master and to reconnect with each other at a reception on 30 March at The Caucus Room.

To all those Members and Friends of Sidney Sussex College who have made new gifts to the Annual Fund during 2003-2004.

Mr J V R Anderson Mr K F Bilimoria Mr C A Browning Mr A J Butcher Mr B M D Cassidy Mr A M R Clarke Mr S R Coltman Mr J W Gibbon Mr N E Kempton Nichol Young Foundation (The Rev’d J D Mitson) Mr M S Rawlinson Mr D A Redfern Mr J M Rushton Mr C G Stoneman Mr F D Thoday Mr J Thorne Mr and Mrs J T Young Mr P S J Zatz

Mr T W J Phillips Dr R D Pyrah Mr V K Rao Mr W R N Raynsford Mr J Reynolds Mr K Reynolds Mr S Rodgers Dr J H B Roy Mr J M Rushton Mr I Russell Dr S J E Russell-Wells The Rt Rev'd J H G Ruston Monterey Fund Inc (Mr John Ryding) Miss H C Schramm Mr C M T Scholtes Dr H Schulze Professor H I G A Schwarz-Liebermann Mr E N Scott Mr J F Scott Mr G W Scott-Giles Professor M S Scott Morton Mrs S Scrymgeour-Wedderburn Mr S Shah Mr A G Sheard Mr N E Shepherd Mr L D Smith Mr J B Smith Mr and Mrs G Southgate Mr and Mrs N F Spencer Chapman Mr R J Stranks Mr B P Thomson Mr G P Tranter Unilever United States Foundation Inc (Mrs J Sourry Knox) Mr S W Upton Dr T Viles Mr R T F Wainwright Mr and Mrs J Ward Mr J M Webb Professor P R Williams Dr D M C Wong Dr G H C Wong Sir Andrew and Lady Wood Mr J A Wood Miss M S Woodruff Dr N Wright Baroness Young of Old Scone Mrs S L Zijderveld Dr and Mrs Z Zych

Special thanks to the Sidney Sussex Foundation, to Cambridge in America and to all those who have: • Established prize, scholarship or memorial funds • Made gifts in support of special or memorial appeals • Made or pledged generous legacies to protect the future of the College The Estate of Dr J N Ball Mr J P Barton Mr P A Bailey Dr D J Bieber Dr L Broughton Mrs C Calderwood Professor K R Cox Mr G Darby The Alan and Sheila Diamond Charitable Trust The Ann D Foundation Mr and Mrs C D S Ewart The Estate of Mr C Fox The Estate of Mr J D Freeman Mr I M Gilder Professor A L Greer The Estate of Mr R T Hastings-James Mr C P Larkum Dr D Low-Beer Luke Hughes & Co. Mr C Markham Mr H A Osborn Mr M F Pevsner

Mr R C J Phillips Mr D E Purchase The Estate of Mrs G A Rooke Professor and Mrs M Scott Morton The Estate of Mr M Seymour Dr G Shelton Mr M A Styles Mrs M Turner The Estate of Mr L K Turner Dr F P Vince Mr C R Walker Mr P M Ward Mr J Warren Dr R L Wokler Sir Andrew Wood

Special thanks are due to Mr and Mrs Alan Diamond for their continued generous support for Sidney. We must apologise for the fact that the name of the Alan and Sheila Diamond Charitable Trust was misspelled in a previous edition of Pheon.

A Tate conservator checks Lady Frances for signs of ageing

The Surveyor-General and his heavies

If you had visited Sidney in late August, you would have been in for a big surprise: over sixty college paintings had vanished from their usual locations.

A daring heist, masterminded by latter-day Cavaliers, disappointed University Challenge-rs, or other bearers of anti-Sidney grudges? Not quite. In fact, the College’s entire collection was gathered in the SCR, being inspected and photographed as part of an ongoing project to produce the first complete catalogue of College art.

Compared to many other colleges, which have had "Fellow Curators" looking after their paintings for a number of years, Sidney’s establishment of such a post earlier this year might seem rather tardy. Junior Research Fellow Jonathan Conlin is eager to make up for lost time, however, establishing himself as Sidney’s first "Surveyor-General", managing, we hope, to refrain from the traitorous shenanigans which a previous Cambridge historian (from another college) has sadly made synonymous with that title.

Removing sixty-odd paintings from their chains, relocating them to the SCR, deglassing, inspecting, photographing, numbering, reframing and finally returning them to their original locations in just two days required considerable planning. The size of the works handled ranged from a small seventeenth-century work painted on a piece of copper half A4 size, which one person could carry with ease, to mammoth works on canvas in heavy frames. Mr Tate, in particular, seemed to harbour designs on flattening anyone who dared touch him: his ornate frame narrowly missed out on a second career serving Dr Conlin and three fellow picture-handlers as a communal Rococo headstone.

The College was fortunate enough to have the assistance of Rica Jones, Senior Conservator of Paintings at Tate Britain, and her assistant, Natasha Duff, both of whom volunteered their services gratis. Together they inspected and produced condition reports on the College’s sixteenth- and seventeenth-century panel paintings, as well as on other works in need of attention. Once analysed, microscopic pigment samples taken from George Gower’s c. 1575 portrait of Lady Frances will be compared with samples taken from other works in the museum’s collection, allowing both Tate and Sidney to learn more about this artist and his methods. In addition to their expertise, staff of both the Tate and the Fitzwilliam kindly donated many of the materials used over the two days, some of them highly advanced technologically. The College’s delicate panel paintings will shortly enjoy the benefits of a protective backing called ALU-PV: a substance originally developed by the US Army, details of which cannot, alas, be shared – even with patriotic Pheon readers.

The end result was a set of digital images of the paintings on CD-ROM and a greatly improved knowledge of the collection. Although there were some exciting discoveries, others were less pleasant: it is now clear that a number of works will need expensive restoration in the near future. In the meantime, however, ongoing catalogue work will, it is hoped, improve both our understanding and appreciation of the collection. Summing up his impressions at the end of two exhausting days, Surveyor-General Conlin observed: "The Hall stripped bare of paintings was a sight I shall never forget - a reminder of how important they are to Sidney’s identity, and how important it is to ensure that they are there for future Sidneians to enjoy". Watch this space!

Dr Jonathan Conlin (2002) Photo: Zoe Swenson-Wright

Thank you also to all who have made new gifts to support the Thornely Fellowship

Mr L Heller Sir James Hennessy Mr D R Hester Mr R E Hildrew Mr D R Howard Mr J B Hoyle Mr D B Hughes Mr L R Hunt Mr and Mrs T Idris Mrs J A J Ingram Mr J A Jefkins Dr A P Jepson Mr F B Johnson Mr C G G Johnstone Dr J H Jones Professor J T Kent Dr A E Kiltie Dr J J Lagowski Mr and Mrs A Legg Mr J M Lehman The Rev'd N K Leiper Mr G A Lester Mr P W Lipscomb Mrs A B Lomas Mr and Mrs J E Maginnis Mrs E A Mance Mr D R Mather Miss K C Macintyre Dr D McDermott Mr W J Medlicott Mr C M Mitchell Mr S D Murphy Mr T N J Nangle Mr A M Neal Nichol Young Foundation (The Rev'd J D Mitson) Dr P Nicholls Mr K Nicholson Mr R C North Professor M L Orme Mr and Mrs R Osborne Mr C N Osmond Ms H J Ovenden Mr and Mrs M B Owen Professor B E J Pagel Mr L M C Parker Dr N Peacock Mr N G Pears Mrs K A L Penney

Photo: Lindsay Greer

The Accenture Foundation (Mr J O'Brien) Professor J W Allen Mr P G Andrews Mr L J Ashford Mr G G Bannerman Mr N C Barford Mr M W E Bayliss Mr J M M Bell Dr R B Bennet Dr J S G Biggs Mr P Birnbaum Professor D E Blackwell Mr and Mrs M Blake Mr T J Bramley Dr R E Brigety II Mr A C Bloom Mr J Brock Mr C A Browning Mr J H Bryson Dr J F Buchan Mr G W Buckley Mr M P D Bullock Colonel M J A Campbell Mr and Mrs R Carley Professor K J Carpenter Dr L J Carter Mr J Catlow Dr M W Cemlyn-Jones Mr W G E Chilton Mr P J Clare Dr R G B Clarke Miss L A Cohen Mr J R Collis Mr R G Copleston Mr and Mrs J Corominas Navarro Mr C N Cowling Commander D Dawson-Taylor Mr and Mrs J Deans Mr D E de Saxe Dr C Dobson Dr A L Downing Dr A P Draycott The Rev'd R C Driver Ms A Emmans Dean Ms T Edwards Mr A W English Mr E W Espenhahn Miss J T Evans Mr M Fealy Mr B K Finnimore Mr I G Forman Dr J G Forman Mr K G Frey Mr and Mrs T Furusawa Mr R D Gants Mr J C Gaskell Mr R C H Genochio Mr J W Gibbon Mr D R Gilbert Mr G M Gill Mr A Glinsman Mrs S L Gore Mrs C Gould Mr D H Gray Mr D R Gray The David and Hilary Grunwerg Charitable Trust Mr M E Gubbins Mr G R Gunson Mr A H F Harland Mr J S Haygarth

Photo: Jonathan Conlin

Photo: Jonathan Conlin

Old Masters

THANK YOU

On 27 May a ceremony was held in the college garden to dedicate this beautiful birdbath in memory of Dr John Dymond (1959)

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Thornely Society members gathering in College for the Society’s Annual dinner on 17 July 2004

Dr Jillaine Seymour, the College’s first Thornely teaching Fellow

CAiM and Sidney Sussex

Dr Jillaine Seymour joined the College in October 2003 as the new J W A Thornely Fellow. Jillaine, who is the first College Teaching Officer to be appointed to the Fellowship, comes to Cambridge from New College and Trinity College, Oxford, via Sydney, Australia where she qualified as a solicitor, and practised. She spoke with Zoe Swenson-Wright about her research and new teaching role at Sidney.

Cambridge Alumni in Management (CAiM) is the society for Cambridge alumni with an interest in business and management. Established in 1995, CAiM exists to encourage dialogue between Cambridge alumni working in business and academia and to promote the study of management at the Judge Institute of Management, Cambridge’s business school. By joining CAiM, alumni benefit from a range of events and networking opportunities. Members are invited to hear leaders from business, industry, government and academia speak on a range of topics. A directory of members and the CAiM newsletter, Network, enable effective networking and access to leading thinking from both Cambridge academics and CAiM members world-wide - CAiM has over 1800 members from more than 65 countries.

Q: Your main interests are in which areas of law?

Membership is open to anyone who has a Cambridge degree in any discipline, or who has held any teaching or research post in the University. Annual membership currently costs £25 and CAiM will donate £5 per year for the first three years from each annual membership subscription generated through Pheon to the Sidney Sussex development fund. For more information on how to apply, please contact the CAiM Secretary, quoting “Pheon” at:

A: At the moment I teach three undergraduate subjects – international law, tort and contract, and my research interests are primarily in international law and civil procedure, especially procedural justice.

Next academic year I will be involved in the Faculty teaching of two undergraduate courses, Civil Procedure and The Legal Process and Justice and Human Rights, and in a graduate seminar course, International Dispute Settlement, that brings together my interests in international law and procedure.

Judge Institute of Management, Trumpington Street Cambridge CB2 1AG UK. Tel: +44 (0) 1223 766819, Fax: +44 (0) 1223 339701, Email: caim@jims.cam.ac.uk, www.caim.org.uk

Angela Tovell retires Photo: Zoe Swenson-Wright

Photo: Zoe Swenson-Wright

International Law in the 21st century

Q: How would you define international law?

A: International law regulates the interactions of states in relation to, for example, war, diplomatic immunity and the law of the sea. Some aspects of international law are defined by treaties, which can be between two states or many states – the Charter of the United Nations is a treaty that includes almost every state in the world. You can also find international law in custom. In other words, what states do may, over time, become law. Diplomatic immunity started out as custom – it was usual to treat diplomats in a particular way and all states did it. Then there came a point when states believed that they were obliged to respect diplomatic immunity, that it was legally binding.

It is challenging for undergraduate lawyers who spend so much time analysing statutes and cases to encounter a field in law shaped by custom and practice. But it is also very interesting, and raises lots of questions about the nature of law, and how it develops.

In December 2003, Angela Tovell retired after more than twenty years as the Bursar’s Secretary. A mainstay of the Sidney community during the terms of three Masters and two Bursars, she always loved Sidney and the interest and variety of her role.

In addition to preparing agendas and other documents for the College Council and Governing Body, she assisted the Bursar with recruiting new staff and planning changes to the fabric of the College.

She loved to take on new tasks, and was equally happy to organize an academic conference, to tend the donkey and sheep hired for the College Christmas party, or to butter sandwiches for a funeral tea.

Q: In this era, I suppose international law must be increasingly important?

A: Yes, the current level of international interaction makes it very easy to give interesting supervisions. I took part in the sixth form law conference at the end of last term and felt that I had to talk about Iraq — it was what they were expecting to hear about, and quite rightly so.

Q: What is most interesting about Iraq, from a legal point of view?

As highlights of her years at Sidney, Angela remembers in particular the visit of the Queen during the Quatercentenary celebrations, the construction of the Mong Building and the redecoration of Hall. She will miss the May Balls and the chance to see former Sidney students succeed in their careers and come back to the College for Commemorations and visits.

A: The basic issue is whether or not the use of force was legal, because there are rules that govern whether or not states can use force. The two generally accepted grounds for the use of force are the right of self-defence and Security Council authorisation. What exactly was authorized by the relevant Security Council resolutions is an issue on which young lawyers are able to form their own views. It also lets them think about whether the law ought to change.

But as everyone who knows Angela will appreciate, retirement is not restful. Since December, she has been more energetic than ever — riding horses, dog-walking, gardening, farming, travelling, painting and doing voluntary work and photography.

Q: Will there be a judgment on this question at some point?

A: That is very unlikely. The jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice is based on consent and there is no suggestion that any of the states involved in the military action in Iraq would consent to the Court exercising jurisdiction over this issue. Enforcement of international law is an issue which many people find difficult. Because compulsory enforcement is limited, people often conclude that international law is not really ‘law’ at all. As with custom, students must examine their views of what ‘law’ is or should be, and what sort of enforcement is possible and appropriate.

So, for example, if one wanted to ‘punish’ a state for disobeying international law by imposing sanctions, then the question also arises as to who exactly is punished by those sorts of measures.

The retirement of Tutor’s Secretary, Jo Knight, and Assistant Bursar Andrew Newstead

States often do consent to their disputes being heard by the International Court of Justice or other international tribunals, and then abide by rulings of those bodies. So binding decisions on international law do occur, but not always when people would like. Personally, I am fairly relaxed about that. Not to the same extent, but in the same way, it also happens in domestic law – some people don’t get prosecuted when they should, and some judgments can’t be enforced. Some people evade justice by leaving the country, but we don’t think that the whole legal system has collapsed because these individuals escape prosecution. As long as a legal system maintains a certain level of enforcement, I think you can assume it is working.

Q: Do you think international law is growing stronger or weaker?

A: Until recently, many people thought the world was moving in a more internationally cooperative direction. In the aftermath of the original Gulf War, following the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, there was some optimism for a new spirit of Security Council-state cooperation. Tribunals were set up for Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia, and the treaty for the International Criminal Court entered into force. I think there was a perception that international law was gaining support.

Whether that is true in the current climate is less clear.

Jo Knight receiving her plate from the Master and Senior Tutor, Dr Mark Hennings. After almost 26 years, Jo retired in August 2004.

Assistant Bursar Andrew Newstead receiving his plate from the Master, on the occasion of his retirement in November 2003.

25 year service awards

Q: How are you enjoying Sidney?

Staff members who have worked for 25 years at Sidney Sussex now receive a special engraved pewter plate, as a token of the College’s appreciation. The following staff members have received this honour:

A: Everyone has been very friendly. I like the College, and my students. One of the best things about teaching in a place like Cambridge is that you develop breadth across your own subject and other subjects. I am eager to undertake more specialised research in this supportive environment. It was wonderful to meet members of the Thornely Society at the Society’s annual dinner in July, and I look forward to meeting the rest of the Sidney Law Community.

Mrs Pat Lloyd (1973) Mr Brian Barber (1973) - retired 2003 Mr Andrew Newstead (1967) - retired 2003

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Mr Tony Wasbrough (1978) Mrs Jo Knight (1978) - retired 2004 Mr Stuart Cross (1974)

Nicola Atkin (Medicine 1998) finds lessons in the daily struggles of a Samoan hospital.

I started off my attachment working in Accident and Emergency, a totally understaffed department with no doctors of its own, only two retired doctors persuaded to do part-time cover and some reluctant surgeons dragged down between their operations to help out with the enormous patient load. So with a prescription pad in hand, desperately clutching my Oxford Handbook of Medicine, I was shuffled into a cubicle and set about the task of seeing some of the 50 or 60 patients waiting outside. Unfortunately, no medical manual was going to help me when I discovered that most patients attending the public hospital did not speak any English. However, with the help of a wonderful team of nurses and porters in the department, these communication problems became manageable, and along the way I found out a lot about healthcare provision in Samoa and attitudes to modern medicine.

There is no real General Practice in Samoa, other than a few private doctors, so the staterun Accident and Emergency clinics, which cost patients an equivalent of 10p to attend, act as General Practice as well as an emergency department. So people turn up with anything from a cold to end-stage cancers, sepsis or ulcers that have eaten their way to the bone.

Health-seeking behaviour in this population is fascinating, as attitudes to health and medicine differ so greatly from the UK. Patients often present to hospital with minor viral illnesses within a day of becoming unwell and expect to be prescribed medication. Meanwhile, far more serious problems present much later, often incidentally, when the patient attends for something minor. As a result the wards are filled with patients with a far more advanced pathology that I have ever seen in the UK, and patients with illnesses that would get them immediately admitted in our British hospitals are sent home with a little analgesia. These late presentations are partly because traditional medicine may be used for these complaints, and partly because certain conditions are simply accepted as being a normal part of life.

Injuries, ulcers, skin infections and aches and pains are not seen as being worth consulting a doctor about, though the common cold is.

When a patient walks in with five-centimeter ulcers stuffed with leaves it is hard to understand why they did not come earlier, before potentially fatal sepsis set in. But traditional treatment is far more deeply ingrained in this culture than modern medicine is, especially for the elderly in rural villages.

The difficulty of getting to hospital from these areas also contributes to the problem.

On the surface, the National Hospital in Apia could not be more different from its western counterparts: barefoot doctors, cockroaches on the walls, an “intensive care unit” identical to a normal ward but with the luxury of air conditioning and one, half-empty oxygen canister, no CT scans, no MRI scans and only a

Photo: Collection of Nicola Atkin

handful of drugs available. However, it was also surprising how many similarities lay beneath this. The system of history taking, differential diagnosis, investigations and management is the same in many ways. The doctors are trained in Fiji or New Zealand with the same textbooks we use. They know the drugs and procedures their patients should be receiving, but also know that those resources are often not available to them. Most of the basic tests are available but used with far more thought than in the UK. With such limited resources, one has to consider more carefully whether a patient really needs to be admitted, be prescribed this medicine or have that test.

With no culture of litigation and such a grossly underfunded healthcare system, only the most necessary is done. My time at the National Hospital was an excellent exercise in thinking out why exactly I was ordering a test or prescribing a drug. Suddenly my history taking and examination skills were put to the test as I knew I could not order a battery of blood tests just in case my diagnosis was wrong. I, like the doctors in Samoa, had to go home each evening with far more uncertainty than I have ever experienced in medicine at home.

Children in a community health clinic

son or daughter every few days and sometimes not at all. The strong sense of community and family in Samoa, with the amazing supportive care this brings, in some ways makes up for the lack of resources in healthcare.

Photo: Collection of Nicola Atkin

We arrived in Samoa on New Year’s Eve 2003 to be told that there was a five-day national holiday and the hospital would be effectively closed throughout. Two days later the whole population boarded themselves into their houses with emergency food and water supplies as cyclone Heta brushed past this tiny Pacific island. These were the first signs that our experience of medicine in Samoa would be rather different from the London teaching hospitals we were accustomed to.

Pass it on ...

Nicola with a colleague in the National Hospital

Another striking difference from the UK was the greater acceptance of death and illness in Samoan society. With high death rates and morbidity and a lower life expectancy, Samoans often seem far more accepting when diagnosed with serious or terminal conditions and often do not expect modern medicine to be able to save them. As a result there is not a culture in Samoan medical care of doing anything and everything possible to prolong life. With the lack of recourses and treatment options many conditions that we could treat aggressively in the UK, such as a stroke, kidney failure and cancer, go largely untreated unless the patient can afford to go to New Zealand for treatment.

I found this difficult to accept at first, angry that the same people would have a chance of having many more years of life and possibly a decent quality of life had they just happened to live in a different country. However, at the same time I saw the benefits of accepting death and not throwing every possible treatment at a patient to prolong life at the expense of quality of life and the patient’s dignity.

This importance of community is a particular help in child health. I spent time with the community nurses visiting villages to carry out developmental checks and vaccinations. The women of the villages have committees to ensure that all attend with their children and get the vaccinations their children require. The monthly visit by the nurse is an important village event, and in missing it, a mother risks the disapproval of the committee and often a fine. So, despite having no governmentenforced vaccination programme and no system of checking against a register, Samoa has a higher vaccination uptake rate than the UK. All in all, my experience of medicine in Apia and more rural areas of Samoa made me greatly appreciate the healthcare provision we have at home, despite all the criticism the NHS receives.

However, it also demonstrated that there are lessons to be learnt from medical care in developing countries. In richer countries like the UK and USA, we need to remember not to use every treatment and test just because we can.

The incredible dedication of the nurses and doctors working under difficult and frustrating conditions, and the care families show for their sick relatives, are the things I will certainly remember from my time in Samoa.

Sidney’s own Médecins sans Frontières Sidney takes around 10 new medical students a year, a significant proportion of our annual admissions uptake of 100. The course is arduous: three years of general medical study leading to their BA degree and then a further seven terms (soon to be extended to three years) of hospital-based clinical studies. In the course of the latter they will typically undertake an ‘elective’. This is an opportunity to get far away from what they are used to and spend a month observing and assisting in an area of clinical practice of their choice. Many undertake their elective in developing countries, seeing how hospital procedures differ between the first and the third worlds and reflecting on the enormity of the task of tackling sickness in countries where medical budgets are a small proportion of those in the West. In the past few years Sidney students have spent electives in hospitals in the West Indies, Peru, Southern Africa, Nepal, India, Malaysia, Vanuatu and Samoa.

Also noticeable was the family involvement in patient care. In hospital the nurses attend to the medical side of things, but the patient’s family is expected to carry out all the basic supportive care and activities of daily living such as washing, feeding, changing bed sheets and ensuring the patient is comfortable. Every patient is surrounded at all times by hoards of relatives fanning them from all angles to keep them cool in such a hot, humid environment.

This is in stark contrast to the London wards full of elderly patients hoping for a visit from a

For many students these are seminal experiences, influencing the course of their subsequent careers. They are also experiences they undertake at their own cost, or with the help of supporting grants if they lucky enough to locate any. Sidney is fortunate to be one

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A memorial for Joan Smail has been created with the unveiling of a citation board that names her as the inspiration behind the Women’s Institute Wood at Histon, near Cambridge. This beautiful wood is a most fitting memorial to Joan.

Former College Chaplain, Dr Ellen ClarkKing (1995), completed her PhD in Feminist Theology at Lancaster University this year.

In fact we had a spy in the crowd, as Dr Geoffrey Plow (Schoolteacher Fellow, 1997) obtained a PhD in the same ceremony and reported the happy coincidence ...... our congratulations to them both!

Surveyor-General of the College Pictures (see p. 4) Dr Jonathan Conlin and Sidney graduate student Rob Harris both took part in the London Marathon. Both survived the experience in good shape, Rob even managing an excellent time of 2 hours 59 seconds.

John M Winder (1958) has found this beautiful 1870 Sidney Sussex “Sconce Cup” at an antique shop in Wellington, New Zealand. As he notes, sconcing is a custom associated with another place. In return for information about any Sconce tradition at Sidney, he invites Sidney Members to visit him in Mahurangi West, and to try out the cup (with beer at his expense).

Congratulations to first-year Engineer John O'Brien who has won first prize in the LTSN Engineering student awards for his essay on 'What makes a good engineering lecturer?'; available online at: http://www.ltsneng.ac.uk/ale/fundopps/stude nt_awards_results.asp.

If any College Member is willing to offer advice or assistance to Fellow College members and would like to publish details in Pheon, please write. All would-becontributors should contact the Assistant Editor of Pheon: Zoe Swenson-Wright Membership and Development Office Sidney Sussex College Cambridge CB2 3HU Tel: 01223-338864 Fax: 01223-338881 Email: zs205@cam.ac.uk source of such grants, since we have the Andrew Semkow fund specifically to support electives in developing countries. The fund was established by the parents of Andrew Semkow (1972), following his tragically early death in a plane accident in 1983. The fund has an annual income of £1200, enabling the College to make four awards a year to eligible students. However four awards are often not enough to meet in full the requests we receive, nor does a grant of £300 these days make a large dent in the total cost of an elective in a developing country.

This is an immensely worthy cause and College would welcome donations to enhance the Semkow Fund to enable it to meet the requests made to it more generously.

Charles Larkum (Bursar)

THE SIDNEY SUSSEX NEWSLETTER

Alumnae Successes

The Thornely Society

In Pheon 15 we were pleased to note the 25th anniversary of the admission of women to Sidney Sussex and to record some of the many distinctions of alumnae and women Fellows. Since then yet further distinctions have flowed in.

A Thornely Society has been founded, to honour the memory of John Thornely and to carry forward his work. The inaugural dinner of the Society was held in the College Hall on Friday, 28 March 2003, bringing together Sidney Lawyers, Law Fellows and Law supporters for the first of many enjoyable social occasions.

As noted in the 2003 Annual Professor Susan Gibson (1978), now at King’s College London, has been awarded the Rosalind Franklin Award of the Royal Society. This award, for excellence in science, engineering and technology, has been inaugurated in the 50th anniversary year of the elucidation of the structure of DNA, a breakthrough to which Franklin’s research made crucial contributions.

Prof. Gibson is recognised for her research on chemical reactions. In her acceptance speech she said, “I am very pleased to have won the first ever Royal Society Rosalind Franklin Award. I just wish there were more medals for my colleagues – there are many good female scientists out there who deserve this kind of recognition. I also hope that this award will encourage more women to consider working in science, engineering or technology. It is an extremely exciting and rewarding job, and one in which women can have a successful career, and if, they wish, combine with having a family as well.”

Alison Brown (1976) was part of the first cohort of women students to matriculate at the College. Dr Brown is the founder, President and CEO of NAVSYS Corporation, a global positioning system (GPS) company based in Colorado. Her outstanding contributions to the development of GPS technology have been recognised by her election as a Fellow of the Institute of Navigation in the USA. As noted in the “Pass it On” column (p. 4), Professor of Engineering, Ann Dowling (Fellow, 1979) goes from strength to strength, now heading a Royal Society study on nanotechnology and nanoscience.

Following in her footsteps, as the interview (p. 4) with Sidney PhD student Marwa El-Ansary illustrates, is a new generation of women scientists and engineers, inspired by the example of those who have gone before.

Professor Lindsay Greer Editor

Victorious again!

A Committee of Sidney lawyers and Law Fellows is now planning an exciting series of events for 2003-4, to include: ●

●

●

16 ISSUE SIXTEEN Winter 2003

The Society’s first AGM on 8 December 2003 in Middle Temple Hall.

The annual dinner of the Thornely Society on 17 July 2004 An opportunity to meet the new John Thornely Fellow, Dr Jillaine Seymour.

Life Membership of the Thornely Society is open to The inaugural dinner of the Thornely Sidney lawyers and other friends Society was held in College in March 2003 of the College concerned to promote Law teaching, who have made gifts totalling £5,000 or more to the Thornely Fellowship fund. The College has raised £600,000 toward the £800,000 required to secure this Fellowship in perpetuity and hopes to reach its target this year.

CONTENTS The life of a Fellow..................................2 The JWA Thornely Fellowship in Law ...................................................2 Gift in memory of David Gledhill (1955) ..........................2 The Dick Chorley Awards for Geographers.........................................2 The Sidney Sussex Society......................3 Farewell to Brian Barber .......................3 From Cairo to Cambridge......................4 Choir on Tour ..........................................4 Pass it on ..................................................4

Once the Thornely Fellowship is fully funded, members of the Thornely Society will consult with the College to advise on the best way forward for Law at Sidney. As new members join the Society, their contributions will help to strengthen and maintain the Law programme through support for teaching, student bursaries and the acquisition of Law texts and teaching resources.

Changing places

© James Etheridge

In Hall, the curtained pastel of Oliver Cromwell (left), from the workshop of Sir Peter Lely, has been replaced by a more martial image (right), given to the College in 1934 by Thomas Knox-Shaw, and thought to have been painted for Oliver’s son and successor as Lord Protector, Richard Cromwell (1626-1712).

Diary Dates for 2004 14 February

Society English Dinner

21 February

Parents’ Feast

6 March

Parents’ Feast

2 April

New York Dinner

24 April

Society Spring Dinner

8 May

MA Graduation Dinner

17 July

Thornely Society dinner

Commemoration of Benefactors Dates for 2004–2005 Commemoration date

Invited matriculation year

20 March 2004

1948 or before

26 June 2004

1967-70

25 September 2004

1974-1976

July 2005*

1949-1954

September 2005*

1977-1979

*dates to be confirmed.

This September at the Cambridge University Alumni Weekend, the Sidney Sussex University Challenge Team of 1979 (crowned ‘Champion of Champions’ in last year’s 40th Anniversary ‘Reunited’ series) defeated a team of Cambridge celebrity alumni in a contest hosted by Jeremy Paxman. A sizeable crowd of Sidney alumni were on hand to support the team, and tickets for the event sold out well in advance of the weekend.

Cromwell’s curtains, now gone, have long been a talking-point for tourists and Sidney members, many of whom have supposed that they were to be drawn over the portrait during the loyal toast. This has never been an official policy, and notably was not done when the Queen lunched in the Hall in 1996. Their true purpose was to protect the pastel from direct sunlight, which will not reach it in the Senior Combination Room where it now hangs, its fine frame splendidly restored through the generosity of David Purchase (1961).

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A view of the College from the rooftops taken

by Dr Jonathan Conlin (during repairs to the College flagpole)

The life of a Fellow

The J W A Thornely Fellowship in Law

Those who were students at the College often ask what it is like to be a Fellow. To find out, we talked with Dr Emma Griffin, Fellow in History.

We thank the following for recent donations to support the J W A Thornely Fellowship in Law, established in memory of the late John Thornely. The following list records gifts received between July 2002 and June 2003. Many thanks also to those of you who have given anonymously.

In this book, I am looking at the way in which 18th century local communities used their village greens and market squares for outdoor sports and pastimes, such as football, Guy Fawkes celebrations or bull-baiting (a sport in which dogs attack a tethered bull). Early 19th century Cambridgeshire lost a lot of village greens because there was a vast enclosure movement, in which land that had been held in common was turned into private land, carved up and lost. Nowadays, in Britain, we use our market squares only for trade and marketing but in France and in other parts of Europe they still use their market squares for sports and pastimes. Celebrations of Guy Fawkes day are typically in a field on the edge of town, but Bastille day celebrations in France all take place in the market square. So it is not obvious that an industrialising society will get rid of sports and pastimes from its central spaces.

I am not a serious athlete myself, but I do row for the College in the Fellows’ Eight. I also play the violin in a town orchestra and a College ensemble group. Dr Chris Page has written music for voice, violin, guitar and

Dr Emma Griffin, whose book Merry England: Popular Recreation in the Long Eighteenth Century will be published by Oxford University Press.

Emma has recently received an award from the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History and will spend part of Lent Term doing research in the New York Historical Society’s archives.

clarinet, and our ensemble performs his pieces at College functions.

When I moved into Blundell Court two years ago, I was used to being on my own. Doing research can be very solitary – just writing and thinking – and it is very nice to be in College, where you can meet people for lunch every day and dine in the evening, row, and play in musical groups. For me it has been a really successful move and very appropriate to the work I am doing at the moment.

I have been happy at Sidney – the students and Fellows are so nice!

The Dick Chorley Awards for Geographers

Photo: Dept. of Geography

It can be difficult to research plebeian sports and pastimes, because there are no proper records.

We know about sports competitions held at fairs because these were big events, organised and controlled by town officials. In retrospect, fairs seem to have been particularly important, but there must have been informal forms of recreation (like playing football on a Sunday afternoon) that just haven’t left much evidence behind. In the 18th century, games had no standardised rules and were played informally, with rules determined on the day or by tradition.

His Hon Judge M P Allweis Mr J V R Anderson Dr G P Barton Mr T J R Barty Dr E F Biagini Mr K F Bilimoria Mr J W A Boardman-Weston Mr R B Bradbeer Ms N A Brice Mr C A Browning Mr A J Butcher Mrs J Cameron Mr B M D Cassidy Mr D W Chesterman Mr A M R Clarke Mr G F Cleminson Dr P C Clemmow Mr S R Coltman Mr R A Crabb Professor S J Dawson and Mr H Dawson Mr D E de Saxe Mr B A Drewitt Mrs I M Eade Ms S V Falk His Hon. Judge E J Faulks Mr M Fealy Mr J Fordham Mr D D Foskett Sir William Gage Sir Patrick Garland Mr J W Gibbon Mr N D F Gray

We thank the following for their generous gifts to establish the Dick Chorley Awards for Geographers.

We are grateful to all whose names are listed

Gift in memory of David Gledhill (1955)

here, and to the many other friends who have made anonymous gifts to

We are tremendously indebted to Mrs Kyoko Gledhill, widow of the late David Gledhill (1955) and founding member of the College’s 1596 Foundation. Mrs Gledhill has recently made a magnificent leadership gift to assist the College in modernising the interior of Blundell Court and adding an extra storey to the building. The new storey will be named in memory of David Gledhill.

The renovations will be extensive, involving the creation of new student rooms, and addition of en-suite facilities in all existing rooms. We will replace the roof and hope also (perhaps in future) to create a new student recreation room/ auditorium directly above the JCR Bar. The recreation room would complement the JCR, providing space for student parties, performances and meetings as well as classes and conferences.

We hope to begin work on the renovation of Blundell Court in August 2004, and would welcome additional support from Sidney friends and Members.

support the Chorley Appeal.

Geography Fellow Dr Janice Stargardt writes: This year’s great activity in Geography is the Chorley Appeal, in memory of Professor Dick Chorley, whose amazing mixture of academic distinction and good fun is imbedded in many memories. Responses have been generous and we shall be able to award a Chorley prize and support student travel from this year onwards. There is still time – just – to join in supporting this Appeal to help ensure that Geography remains one of Sidney’s strong subjects.

We have had some notable recent successes. Last year Sidney’s 3rd year Geographer, Clare Cox, was top student in the Geography Tripos Exams and wrote a First Class Dissertation. This year three Sidney 3rd year Geographers got Firsts in their Tripos Dissertations: Katie Lally, Giles Cookson and Alex Versariu. The Department of Geography has entered Giles’ Dissertation for the Royal Geographical Society’s Prize in the Rural Geography of England, while Katie was the first recipent of the Chorley Prize.

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His Hon Judge M B Goodman Mr D Haley Mr M H K Hamer Mr J B Harrison Mr L Heller Mr D R Hester Mrs J M Hill Mr D S Honour Mr P G Lymbery Sir John Lindsay Judge K Marshall Mr and Mrs P Mirandah Nichol Young Foundation (Rev’d J D Mitson) Mr E O’Shea Ms J C Persey Mr R M Powell

Dr M Purshouse Mr N K Rawding Mr M S Rawlinson Mr D A Redfern Mr J M Rushton Mr G Sayce Professor HIGA Schwarz-Liebermann Mr A W Sheppard Mr D W Steward Mr F D Thoday Mr J Thorne Mrs B K Thomsen Mr G H C Wong Dr C J Wright Mr P S J Zatz Professor J S Ziegel

Mr P W Allwright Mr R M Arnold Mr R G Barry Ms M A Beckinsale Mr R D Beckinsale Professor R J Bennett Dr J M Blake Dr C Board Ms P V Brown Professor R A Butlin Miss P M Ceasar Cambridge Society Dr E A Challis Mrs V Charlton Dr R S Clay Dr P C Clemmow Mr A D Cooper Mr and Mrs J C Craddock Professor S Dawson and Mr H Dawson Mr D F Day Mrs M G Dibden Mr A J Dunn Mrs M H Dury Mrs I M Eade Ms L G Eshag Dr I S Evans Dr R E Glasscock Mr I Gilder Professor P Haggett Mr A J Hewitt Professor R D Hey Mr D High Mr G W Hirst Dr D W Holliday Mr G M Hollington Sir Gabriel and Lady Horn Dr J A A Jones

Dr W Jones Dr D E Keeble Dr B A Kennedy Miss J M Kenworthy Mr A H King Professor and Mrs H Kucera Professor R Lawton Mr J D Lees Mr K F Luck Mr B G Luker Professor I N McCave Dr M G Morris Miss P Morris Mr J H Nanson Mr M F Pevsner Mr and Mrs P E Pickering Professor B T Pickering Professor M Potts Mr D Rabson Dr R E Randall Dr D J Reed Professor K S Richards Mr S A Schumm Mr D W Sharpe Mr and Mrs H A Shelley Dr T Spencer Mr and Mrs G Stone Professor D E Sugden Mrs M G Thomson Mr A P R Tow Dr S T Trudgill Mr P M Ward Mrs V J Welling Professor H B Whittington Mr G F Willett Professor P O Wolf Mr and Mrs T S Wyatt Mr M C Young

Photo: Zoe Swenson-Wright

Photo: Zoe Swenson-Wright

“I joined Sidney three years ago as a teaching Fellow and I now have a Research Fellowship.

I am Director of Studies for the third-year historians, but am spending most of my time finishing a book on the history of 18th century sports and pastimes in Britain.

Paul Scott’s Retirement Dinner This year has seen the retirement of our most senior teaching Fellow. On Friday 20 June, friends and colleagues of Dr Paul Scott (Fellow, 1962) gathered for a dinner in his honour, to celebrate his distinguished career and to mark his retirement. Paul’s long service, as a director of studies in Natural Sciences and as a supervisor in Physics, has brought him into contact with successive generations; those attending the dinner included two such father-son teams: Philip (1970) and Graham (1998) Ternouth, and Richard (1965) and Robert (1999) Dunn. Speeches by Professor Richard Hills (of the Department of Physics) and Professor Lindsay Greer (of Sidney Sussex) covered many aspects of Paul’s past and present work and interests. Paul himself reflected in particular on his work with radio astronomer Sir Martin Ryle, co-winner of the 1974 Nobel prize in Physics.

Spring Dinner, 26 April 2003 This year the Sidney Sussex Society tried the experiment of replacing its February dinner in London with an April dinner in College. We were delighted that so many Sidney Members came back for this event! Thanks to the College’s excellent catering team, the food was superb, and the freshly painted Hall looked wonderfully festive.

Graduates Party, 25 June 2003

We wish Paul all the best in his retirement. If the experience of other retired Sidney Fellows is anything to go by, he will now find himself more occupied with College business than ever before!

Brian Barber retires After thirty years at Sidney Sussex, Catering Manager Brian Barber has retired this term. A master confectioner whose ornamental cakes and marzipan creations have won national prizes, Brian first became interested in managing a kitchen in the Army Service Corps, where he ran a supply depot in Cyprus, providing meats, bread and produce to Army cook houses. On his return to Cambridge, he was invited to join the staff of the newly founded Churchill College, where he began as Head Patissier, and was quickly promoted to the positions of Second Chef and Head Chef.

As the graduating students finished their exams and prepared to leave College, the Sidney Sussex Society invited them to their first ever Sidney alumni event, a garden party in Cloister Court. New and recent graduates are warmly welcomed to all Sidney Sussex Society events.

After all, College membership is for life, not just for the student years.

Summer Event, 5 July 2003

When Brian Barber came to Sidney Sussex in 1974, the College had only 40 Fellows and was a quieter place than it is today. Sidney did not yet have a Conference Manager, although the Bursar, Roger Andrew, ahead of his time in appreciating the value of a conference programme, organised regular summer and Easter conferences and a University summer school. Brian remembers that Mr Andrew had one golden rule that he still tries to observe, “never, never work on a Sunday.”

We were delighted to welcome Sidney members and their guests back to College for the 2003 Society Summer event on a lovely day in July.

Sidney Members enjoyed interesting talks by Professor Alan Dashwood, who spoke about the process – in which he has been closely involved – of creating a new constitution for Europe.

Art Historian Dr Jonathan Conlin gave an amusing and lively talk entitled “Moving Pictures: Saving Old Master paintings for the Nation.”

Before the advent of the conference programmes that keep Cambridge kitchens running yearround, College catering staff used to spend their summers working in seaside hotels. These days, Brian says, if Colleges were to offer holiday half-wages, no one would come back at the end of the summer. “You can’t afford to lose staff now because there is nobody coming into catering. It has low pay, hard work and unsociable hours. In this day and age, young chefs can’t afford to live in Cambridge. We are very lucky at Sidney because we have an excellent team and have had very low turnover of staff. All my time I have been here I have tried to keep people happy, and it is very hard and it gets harder.”

Our usual College tour was replaced this year with something a bit more adventurous – a private tour of the Zoology Museum, led by Dr William Foster, a Fellow of Clare College.

Sidney Members brave enough to descend to the bowels of the building had a chance to see the world’s most complete dodo skeleton, as well as some specimens collected by Charles Darwin.

Photo: Professor Lindsay Greer

Despite the pressures of life in the catering business, Brian has loved his time at Sidney Sussex. He has particularly enjoyed the chance to see former students coming back for Commemorations and Society events. “It is so enjoyable when they say ‘oh hello, you’re still here!’ I have kept every menu that I have done from 1974 to the present day and when they come back for Commemorations, I try to put on exactly the same menu that they had when they graduated.

Exploring the collections of the Zoology Museum

Photo: Zoe Swenson-Wright

Photo: Zoe Swenson-Wright

Professor Alan Dashwood and Dr Jonathan Conlin

During the Quatercentenary Appeal, Brian Barber assisted in designing the Mong Building kitchens, which have proved such a successful addition to the College. “To start with,” he recalls, “the architect wanted to have a cafeteria in the front. I said there needed to be a wall to cut down on noise from the kitchen, and suggested that we have a holding kitchen – just a small unit with trolleys and other units on wheels, so that we could cook breakfast and snacks.”

Cross-Country reunion

Many thanks to Stephen Rutherford for sending in this photograph of members of the Sidney Sussex cross country team of 1962/3 “forty years later.” The four members, pictured here at a Commemoration dinner in September 2002 are (from left to right) Terry Feest (1962), Peter Wightman (1961), Alasdair Heron (1961) and Stephen Rutherford (1962).

Over the years Brian’s cakes and marzipan sculptures have won many prizes. Here is prizewinning black & white wedding cake.

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Brian Barber in the College Hall

Photo: Zoe Swenson-Wright

From Cairo to Cambridge Marwa El-Ansary has just completed the first year of her PhD in Civil Environmental Engineering. She talked with Zoe Swenson-Wright about her impressions of Sidney Sussex.

My parents wanted me to become a doctor and persuaded me to go to medical school. I cried for two weeks because I hate biology, and I can’t stand seeing people in pain. If someone came to me with a cut on his hand, I would cry and he would think he was going to die. I studied medicine for two weeks, then decided to go back to engineering. I went to the American University in Cairo (AUC), where many famous scientists, politicians, journalists and business people had studied, including, for example, the wife and sons of Hosni Mubarak, and the children of movie stars. I stayed at the American University for my undergraduate course and first Master’s degree in Construction Engineering.

Q: How did you choose Sidney Sussex?

A: After the American University, I went to Strathclyde University in Glasgow to do a Master’s degree in Environmental Science. I planned to go to the University of Toronto for my PhD but my Professor and mother both advised me to apply to universities in England. So one day I was passing the Registrar’s office and there was a small ad about a College in England called Sidney Sussex. I thought I could just send an e-mail, and then tell my Mom, “look, I applied and they rejected me.”

So I e-mailed the College and received some forms in the post. I was picking up my mail and a friend asked, “Marwa, are you applying to Cambridge?” And I said “no.” And he said “come on, be serious – don’t hide it!” and there was the application form! I called the Graduate Tutor’s Office to ask Gabrielle Rose why she was sending me to another university and she said, “Marwa, Sidney Sussex is part of Cambridge!” Then Dr Abir Al-Tabbaa contacted me about my research and the Cambridge Overseas Trust helped me to apply for a scholarship from BP (British Petroleum) Egypt. I also received an Overseas Research Student (ORS) award.

Q: How have you enjoyed Cambridge?

A: My Professor in Strathclyde always wanted me to come to Cambridge, because the Engineering Department has excellent facilities and equipment for my research. I work with Dr Abir Al-Tabbaa and I am very proud of that, as she is the only female Engineer in the Civil Engineering Division of the Engineering Department. It is the first time I have ever worked with a woman in all my life – all my supervisors and work colleagues had always been men. But I have found Dr Al-Tabbaa very, very professional, and extremely smart.

Also she is very giving, dedicated and helpful – always happy to brainstorm ideas.

Q: What does your PhD work involve?

A: It is a very new subject that I am doing – combining solid waste recycling and Marwa at Sidney treating waste. I work with treating petroleum waste (especially drill cuttings) that is generated during petroleum drilling. Drilling creates waste which, before 1992, was just thrown onto the seabed, upsetting sea populations in the North Sea and other places. In Egypt, waste has been put into landfills, but that is no better. This waste needs to be recovered from the seabed and from landfills, treated and preferably converted into sustainable value-ended products. My research involves converting the treated waste into beneficial construction products such as sustainable aggregates.

Professor Sir Tom Blundell, who chairs the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution has overseen the publication of an influential new report entitled Chemicals in Products – Safeguarding the Environment and Human Health. In addition, Astex Technology, the Cambridge fragment-based drug discovery company he co-founded in 1999, has been ranked as one of the nation’s 20 fastestgrowing companies by the Sunday Times in its “ARM Tech Track” annual league table, which rates companies in accordance with their annual growth rates.

Q: Are you much involved with life in College?

A: Dr Al-Tabbaa has always encouraged me to socialise and enjoy life – she once said, “join the rowing club!” So I am now the College MCR “Green Officer” responsible for recycling and environmental issues.

This year, I am planning an induction session for the College staff to discuss how they can minimize waste and reuse office waste. I believe that re-using is better than recycling. In recycling you add energy and money in order to transfer from one stage to another, so if you reuse materials you are saving energy and money.

Apologies to Peter Coleman (1967) for a typographical error that appeared in the last issue of Pheon. The charity he founded in 1996 is called CAMAID, not CANAID.

Q: How have you found it living in the UK as an Egyptian student?

A: I am the first person in my family to study abroad and everyone thinks I am so brave and tough. I guess my family is very proud – whenever a guest comes they take out the pictures of me in my gown at the graduation in Glasgow.

The Sidney Sussex Foundation is planning a dinner on 2 April 2004 at the Williams Club in New York. The Master, Professor Sandra Dawson, will be the guest of honour. American Members wishing to receive further information should contact the Membership and Development Office.

When I was a student in Scotland there was no problem wearing the veil. I went to London for the first time on 20 September 2001 because it was my only chance to have a vacation. At that point I was advised by some Egyptian friends to be careful, but nothing unpleasant happened – now I often go to London. I like the international atmosphere of Cambridge, where I have made friends from many different cultures. I think the majority of Egyptians (whether Muslim or Christian) are strong believers in God and like to intermingle. I am glad that I will always be a member of Sidney Sussex, and I hope to come back for conferences and reunions.

Marwa on an oil rig in Egypt, observing petroleum drilling

Congratulations to College benefactor and 1596 Foundation Member Dr Simon Campbell on his recent election as President of the Royal Society of Chemistry. Dr and Mrs Campbell have established the Simon and Jill Campbell Foundation at Sidney and Christ’s Colleges, to support state-school students with proven financial need studying natural sciences or mathematics.

Congratulations to Professor Ann Dowling, who has been made a Fellow of the Royal Society. Professor Dowling has also been invited to lead a study on nanotechnology and nanoscience for the Royal Society and the Royal Academy of Engineering.

(collection of Marwa El-Ansary)

Q: How did you first become interested in Civil Engineering?

A: All my life I had wanted to be an engineer – even when I was six or seven years old. When they said, “what do you want, Marwa?” I said, “I want to be an engineer.” I love engineering. I love buildings, I love working with computers and designing. My father is an agricultural engineer, my brother is a mechanical engineer, my two uncles are in telecommunications and electronic engineering. I have thirdgeneration cousins who are civil engineers but they are not very close.

So I hadn’t really seen anyone being a civil engineer and I wanted to do that.

Pass it On

If any College Member is willing to offer advice or assistance to Fellow College Members and would like to publish details in Pheon, please write. All wouldbe-contributors should contact the Assistant Editor of Pheon: Zoe Swenson-Wright Membership and Development Office Sidney Sussex College Cambridge CB2 3HU Tel: 01223-338864 Fax: 01223-338881 Email: zs205@cam.ac.uk

CHOIR ON TOUR This summer the Chapel Choir of Sidney Sussex College travelled to the United States, giving concerts and singing in morning Eucharist and Evensong services at Episcopal churches in Tidewater, Virginia and Baltimore, Maryland. Sidney’s Senior Organ Scholar Cathy Langston writes: “After a hairraising beginning of tour, due to a motorway accident that nearly caused us to miss our flight to Washington Airport from Heathrow, this year’s choir tour to America (by far the most adventurous undertaken by Sidney Choir) was a huge success! In total, the choir gave three concerts in Virginia, including one at the historic Bruton Parish Church in

Rehearsing out of doors

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Colonial Williamsburg, gave an informal concert at a garden party for Independence Day, and sang Evensong and Eucharist in the Cathedral of the Incarnation and Old St. Paul’s Church respectively (both in Baltimore). The choir was lucky enough to be staying in a resort with stunning grounds and facilities. It was a hectic tour and we were grateful to the generosity of our hosts, who all provided us with meals and who had obviously gone to great lengths to publicise the concerts and services, which were always attended by well over 100 people and sometimes 2-300 people. We gained lots of memories and thank all those who helped to make the tour possible.”

THE SIDNEY SUSSEX NEWSLETTER

Admissions and Access

The Peter Ellis Fund

There can hardly be University-related issues more in the public eye at present than admissions, access and student finances. It is undeniable that in the next few years the College will have to provide more support for students in financial need, if it is to continue to attract the best students, irrespective of their financial circumstances. As first reported in the Annual in 2001, the College has been immensely fortunate to receive two substantial donations to provide student bursaries, from the Simon and Jill Campbell Foundation and from Peter Ellis. We have, on page 3, an interview with Simon and Jill Campbell, and on this page further news of the Peter Ellis Fund.

Through the generosity of Peter R. Ellis (1945), we have been able to establish the Peter Ellis Fund to provide bursaries to students who have won places at Sidney but who might otherwise suffer significant financial hardship in taking up their places here. It is a delight to report that we are now in the second year of awarding bursaries.

15 ISSUE FIFTEEN March 2003

CONTENTS In 1998 the Sidney Sussex Society and the College looked to see what could be done to improve our admissions policy and practice. Sidney as always was attracting a good calibre of students but we felt candidates were not coming to us in sufficient numbers nor with sufficient diversity. As reported in Pheon 12 (June 2000), a range of initiatives included a teacher network, acknowledging that key influences on applicants are from their teachers. The capstone was the decision by the College to appoint a full-time Admissions Director. In this role Richard Partington has shown tireless energy, and wonderfully participative leadership of his team of admissions advisers (Drs Hennings, Baxendale and the Rev Dr Straughan) and assistants (Ms Heather Doggett and Mr Nick Diggle). Through the efforts of the teaching Fellows in the College much has been achieved, as Richard himself makes clear in the following report: During the course of the last two years, Sidney has made great progress in its drive to increase applications to the College from students from all backgrounds.

Our programme of open days, subject-based conferences and visits to schools and colleges has proved highly effective in encouraging students to apply to Sidney. Direct undergraduate applications rose by over 90% in 2001, making Sidney one of the most heavily applied to colleges in the University. In 2002 applications dropped back again slightly, but remained buoyant. There has been a particularly encouraging increase in applications from students whose schools do not have a ‘tradition’ of Oxbridge application. This year, 65% of Sidney UK applicants came from state schools, a figure in line with Cambridge’s HEFCE target for widening participation.

The wide range of applications we received was reflected in the offers of places we made, with 65% of our ‘home’ (UK) offers going to students from the state sector, and around 70% to students from the regions. This echoes patterns of academic performance across Britain as a whole.

The increase we have seen in applications means that competition for places is now exceptionally fierce, and so we have to make extremely difficult decisions. However, in the last two years we have been successful in obtaining offers at other Cambridge colleges, via the intercollegiate admissions ‘pool’, for many candidates whom we would have liked to have taken at Sidney had we had room. This has meant that, despite our receiving an above-average number of applications, our candidates have been as successful in obtaining Cambridge offers as applicants to any other Cambridge college.

Admission of women – 25 years on ......2 Of claws and quills .................................2 Campbell Foundation ............................3 Dick Chorley awards .............................4 Thank you to donors ......................4 & 5 US connections .......................................5 Peter Ellis (seen here with the Master signing the 1596 Foundation book, and featured also in the reunion group photograph on page 6) came up to Sidney to read History with the post-war generation in 1945. Last year he established the Peter Ellis Fund to assist students from the area where he grew up. The grammar school in which Peter himself was educated was subsumed some years ago within a larger comprehensive school: the Abbot Beyne School in Burton upon Trent. Through continued contact with this school, Peter became conscious of the need to offer encouragement to very able students, who were well suited to studying at Cambridge University but who, for a range of reasons, regarded it as being beyond their reach.

Reunions galore! ....................................6 Society events .........................................7 New Year’s Honours ..............................7 Champions never come back ................8 Mexican meanders .................................8 Pass it on! ................................................8

Diary Dates 2003 The Fund is focused upon South Derbyshire and South Staffordshire, areas where students have looked less readily towards Cambridge than perhaps they might. Students from these areas who win places at Sidney are eligible for annual bursaries of £1000. These are renewable during the course of their academic careers, subject to satisfactory academic performance. In setting up the Fund, Peter worked closely with Sidney’s Admissions Director, Richard Partington, to ensure that the scheme would encourage both individual applicants and their schools and colleges. The first bursary has now been awarded, and it is clear from the recent admissions round that the Fund has already acted as a spur to candidates from its target areas. As the scheme goes forward year on year, it will provide Richard with a powerful calling card in Derbyshire and Staffordshire, and will bring real benefit to students, to schools and colleges, and to Sidney.

We are very grateful to Peter Ellis, as we are to Simon and Jill Campbell (p. 3), for responding so promptly and generously to the changing needs of our students in the twenty-first century.

28th March

Thornely Society Dinner

26th April

Sidney Sussex Society Spring Dinner in College

10th May

MA Graduation Dinner

5th July

Sidney Sussex Society Summer Event

27-29 September CU Alumni Weekend 8th December

Christmas Party at the Middle Temple

Commemoration of Benefactors* — 28th June

for those coming up in the years 1982 & 1983

27th September

for those coming up in the years 1990 & 1991

* For further details, please contact Mrs Jo Knight, Tutorial Office, on 01223 338844 or jak34@cam.ac.uk

Congratulations to Professor Tony

Sidney is particularly grateful to the Trustees of the Isaac Newton Trust (established in 1988 by Trinity College) with whose significant support we are able to provide bursaries of up to £1,000 p.a. for students in any subject and from any area of the country who are judged to be in financial need.

Richard Partington (1987)

Thornely Society ....................................5

One of the two Sidney crews that participated in the University’s 2002 Alumni Weekend regatta (see p. 5)

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Badger who has been elected Master of Clare College from October 2003. Professor Badger came to Sidney to read History in 1965, returning as a Fellow in 1992. His research interests are in post-1930 American History. As Vice-Master, he has been a popular figure with Members of the College, attending many Sidney Sussex Society events. One of his recent roles has been to chair the search committee recommending the appointment of Professor Alison Richard (currently Provost of Yale) as Cambridge’s new Vice Chancellor.

25th Anniversary of the Admission of Women to Sidney Sussex Alumnae Reunion Early in 2001 the Master realised that October of the same year would be the 25th anniversary of the admission of the first female undergraduates to Sidney.

Being something of a trail blazer herself she decided a party was called for to celebrate the occasion.

Thirty one women were invited, among them Lynne Brydon who was the very first woman to be admitted to the College as a Junior Research Fellow in 1975. She was followed in 1976 by the first intake of undergraduates.

In the Mong Hall, just before the cutting of the cake, are (L to R): Sarah Penny (neé Holmes), Francesca Flessati, Sally Simmons (neé Taylor), Jane Stranks (neé Pick), Miranda Highcock (neé Bethel), Anne Jellicoe (neé Cook), Elizabeth Young (neé Grattidge), Patricia Brown, Sandra Dawson (Master of the College), Amanda Lomas (neé Tealby), Donald Northcote (Master 1976-1992), Linda Edwards (neé Telfer), Mary-Anne Nunn (neé Baxandall), Lynne Brydon (1975 Fellow), Vanessa Welling (neé Barker), Nicky Grist, Judith Foster.

The Sunday arrived and so did the rain but the bouncy castle still went up on time. One hundred and fifteen guests crowded into the lodge for a reception followed by a magnificent buffet in the Hall. While some of the sons and daughters enjoyed the speeches made by the Master, Dr Lynne Brydon, and Rachel Gibson, recently retired President of the JCR, the rest disappeared to the Master’s Garden to enjoy the bouncy castle in the improved weather. The rest of us were then entertained by Jonathan Lee, our Organ Scholar, and David Wingfield, baritone.

Maggie Edwards (Master’s Secretary, 1992-2002)

And among the Fellows — Female Fellows of Sidney are prominent in many fields, from archæology to biotechnology and beyond. A remarkable cluster of female engineers started with the election of Ann Dowling in 1979. Ann, now a CBE and a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, wrote on her research (in combustion and acoustics) in the most recent College Annual.

In 1997 she was joined by Abir Al-Tabbaa working in geotechnical and environmental ground engineering. We feature on this page the most recent recruit to the band of female Fellows in engineering. (We might note that the male of the species is not unrepresented among engineering Fellows; examples include Keith Glover, FRS, FREng, currently Head of the Engineering Department.)

The cake for the Women’s Reunion Luncheon was made by Brian Barber, our Catering Manager. This was especially fitting as Brian was Head Chef in 1976 when the first women arrived at Sidney and remembered many of those returning for the celebration very well. In those early days he won a growing reputation as a cake-maker, entering international competitions at Olympia and similar venues, carrying off the Gold Medal on one occasion for a remarkable Disneyland creation. We are happy to say that Sidney has enjoyed the benefit of his cake-making skills regularly over the years.

Jo da Silva (2001) at work on recreating Archimedes’ claw.

Jo da Silva

Notre porc-épic

Jo da Silva joined Sidney Sussex in 2001 as an Engineering Fellow (part-time) to help bring an industry perspective to the undergraduate engineers. She studied engineering at Trinity College, Cambridge, before joining Ove Arup & Partners (now known as Arup, and also sometime employer of Engineering Fellow Abir Al-Tabbaa) as a trainee structural engineer.

Her career has been wide ranging and includes two years in Hong Kong carrying out the structural analysis and design of Chek Lap Kok airport, leading the engineering design for the recent extension to the National Portrait Gallery in London, and an assignment with RedR (Engineers for Disaster Relief) during the Rwandan genocide.

Jo is a Chartered Engineer and a Member of both the Institution of Civil and the Institution of Structural Engineers. In 1995 she was awarded the Association of Consulting Engineers (ACE) Young Consulting Engineer Award.

At the Engineers’ Reunion Dinner on 8th February (p. 6), she gave an inspiring talk on ‘The role of engineers in the 21st century’. But in the mass media she is best known for her work on the 3rd century BC. In 1999 she attempted to re-create Archimedes’ Claw, reputedly used to destroy Roman quinquiremes, for the BBC2 programme Secrets of the Ancients.

Currently, Jo is an Associate Director at Arup, and jointly leads a multi-disciplinary building engineering group, with a particular interest in public buildings and a focus on sustainable building design.

from Ancient Inventions, P. James & N. Thorpe, Ballantine, 1994.

Tea had been planned for the Master’s Garden but Mother Nature intervened again, so tea and the cake cutting ceremony took place in the new William Mong Building, an area which in 1976 was the site of the Bathhouse. Brian Barber, the Catering Manager, had made a superb cake for the occasion which provided the centre piece for photographs of the women whose admission we were honouring. They were joined by the Master, Professor Sandra Dawson, and Professor Donald Northcote, the Master in 1976. Thus ended another memorable and very successful event in the College’s calendar.

The cake-maker

A team of oxen can, through the pulley system of the claw, lift the ship, with subsequent disastrous effects for its crew.

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Attending a conference in College last summer, some French delegates enquired about the spiny heraldic beast supporting the College arms (and appearing on the Pheon masthead); they questioned whether it is really a porcupine, and even if it is how it came to be associated with the College.

Nicholas Rogers, College Archivist finds a French connection and reports: The Sidney porcupine (French: porc-épic) is, I believe, the North African Crested Porcupine, which is to be found in Italy as well as the Mediterranean coast of Africa.

For details see: http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/a ccounts/hystrix/h._cristata$narrative.htm l

Drawing: J. Kingdon

Of the 31 invited, 16 attended on Sunday, 23rd September with their families, together with members of the current Fellowship and their families. As the ages of family members ranged from 3 to 16 years a buffet lunch was not going to suffice to keep the younger guests occupied; a bouncy castle was therefore ordered.

The porcupine was adopted as a badge by Louis XII of France, and it is conjectured that it was then adopted by Sir William Sidney, the Foundress’s father, who was sent on diplomatic missions to France.

SC: The American approach to funding higher education is quite different from the UK since individuals play a much more active role compared to government. Americans work their way through university and, when they have established a successful career there is a longstanding tradition of making substantial donations to their university or college.

Charitable donations in the UK tend to focus on more traditional causes, but we hope that successful scientists and industrialists will accept that we have an increasing responsibility to help make up the continuing short fall in Government support of higher education.

The Campbell Foundation The Simon and Jill Campbell Foundation provides generous bursaries for up to ten students from state schools across the UK, who have gained admission to Sidney Sussex College to study natural sciences or mathematics. Dr Simon Campbell FRS is a distinguished scientist who has spent most of his research career in the pharmaceutical industry where he was involved in the discovery of several new medicines. Mrs Jill Campbell has extensive teaching experience in physical education and yoga. They talked with Zoe Swenson-Wright about their motivations in setting up the Foundation, and their hopes for its future success.

ZSW: The Simon and Jill Campbell Foundation supports state school pupils who have chosen to study science and mathematics.

What were the elements of your own career that made you wish to help such students through University?

SC: I saw at first hand the impact that a university education could have on my own career. I left school at seventeen, because I could not afford to go to University, and worked in industry for a year. Then I was fortunate to be awarded a full maintenance grant that I supplemented by working during vacations. I was able to go to University, obtain a PhD and go on to a successful scientific career in the pharmaceutical industry that culminated in election as Fellow of the Royal Society.

JC: Simon had completed his A-levels before he left school at 17 and then worked in industry, where his supervisor — a philanthropist in his way — persuaded him to apply for a grant. At that time, Cambridge was not an option, simply due to financial constraints.

SC: In our era, many students were somewhat naïve, and did not fully understand the opportunities universities provided, although grants were available. Now there is a much broader appreciation of the benefits of a university education but financial support from central and local government has been significantly eroded. Jill and I know of bright pupils who can’t afford to go to University. We know they are losing out and we are concerned that short-term financial difficulties will restrict them expressing their full talents.

We wanted to help bright students from state schools come to Cambridge, and to alleviate some of the financial hardship they might incur during their studies. We hope these bursaries will help to close the financial gap that deters some state school pupils from applying to top universities like Cambridge.

JC: When we went to university or college, the local education authority paid our fees and we had maintenance grants. However, funding for higher education has shifted from central government and local authorities towards families and individuals and new forms of support are desperately needed if all bright and able students are to attend university.

ZSW: The Simon and Jill Campbell Foundation provides bursaries for students at Christ’s College, as well as at Sidney Sussex.

Why did you choose Cambridge, and these two Colleges in particular?

SC: We did consider a national scheme, but realised that reading through numerous applications and then selecting the best students would require significant administrative support. We chose to focus on Cambridge since we knew that the University attracted some of the top students in the country and selection procedures were already in place. College tutors establish close relationships with their students and take a keen interest in their

progress. At most other universities, there seems to be far less personal contact.

I have had strong scientific contacts with Sidney and Christ’s for some time.

Simon and Jill Campbell

level. It has been rewarding to see the enthusiasm among staff and students. The response from students has been really positive, and we are glad to know that £1,000 a year from our Foundation can make a real difference.

I first met and worked with Professor Sir Tom Blundell (Fellow of Sidney Sussex College and Head of the Department of Biochemistry) in 1984, when he was at Birkbeck College in London. After some years, he came to Cambridge and founded, together with Dr Chris Abel at Christ’s College, a company called Astex Technology Ltd., where I act as scientific advisor and board member.

There has been some talk that maintenance grants might be re-introduced but, even so, it is most likely that particular groups would be targeted and that there would not be a wide-scale impact.

SC: Giving shares is the same as giving money, but can be more cost-effective as the total share value is transferred to the College, including any capital gains, without the College incurring any tax liabilities. Equally, important, the benefactor can deduct the total value of the donation from taxable income, which is a significant benefit.

ZSW: Did you have a particular sort of student in mind, when you were planning this Foundation?

SC: After the Foundation was launched, we had a letter from a friend who is now an eminent professor here at Cambridge, although financial circumstances had also prevented him from applying to Oxbridge as a student. He wrote to say that abolition of grants had again raised barriers to entry and that he warmly welcomed our initiative to help alleviate financial hardship that some bright pupils from state schools might suffer.

SC: In five years time, we may look back and say — “In 2001, we identified a real need to support the best students but our Foundation has become even more useful in light of continued erosion of central and local funding for higher education”.

JC: We also enjoy giving something back to society from which we have benefited, and encouraging others to do the same. We have made a gift of shares to Sidney Sussex and Christ’s but we only learned by chance from the Sunday Times how cost effective this can be for both parties.

Given the world-class reputation of the University and knowing scientists personally at Sidney Sussex and Christ’s (and several other Cambridge Colleges as well) I had confidence that good students coming here would get the best scientific education available.

ZSW: How would you like the Campbell Foundation bursary programme to develop over the next five years?

ZSW: What do you particularly enjoy about the relationship you have now with Sidney Sussex?

JC: Share ownership is now much more widespread than a few years ago, and we hope more people will consider donating shares to charitable education institutions such as Cambridge.

JC: Our sons have both been students at Cambridge at different Colleges, so we know the city very well. However, we now have an opportunity to be more closely involved with Sidney Sussex and to appreciate at first hand the impact of our Foundation. The Master and staff have been most welcoming, we enjoy participating in the 1596 Foundation and we have been very pleased to see how bursaries have been distributed.

Sidney Sussex Ties and Cufflinks

JC: We want to support talented students from state schools who might be deterred from applying to Cambridge because of continued erosion of the grants system.

The College is proud to present two new versions of the porcupine patterned College tie, designed for us by Prill Barrett, and printed in Italy on 100% silk. The two colours (as pictured) are:

ZSW: Do you hope that the students supported through your bursaries will go on to become scientists working in particular academic fields, or in UK industry?

•

navy blue with porcupines in silver,

•

burgundy with porcupines in navy blue.

In addition, we are now able to offer traditional enamelled Sidney Sussex cufflinks, at the price of £15 plus postage and packing.

SC: A strong science base is fundamental for the economic well being of this country and we would like to encourage more of our top students to pursue a scientific career. We would like to think that the Campbell Foundation would encourage some students to make the decision to come to Cambridge to study science.

NAME __________________________________________________________ MAILING ADDRESS ______________________________________________ _____________________________________ PHONE ___________________

We hope that some students will go into UK industry or academia and make contributions towards national well being, but all we can ask is that they take full advantage of their time at Cambridge and that their degrees reflect their talents.

Item

Price

College cufflinks (pair)

£15

Navy blue tie with silver porcupines

£15

Burgundy tie with navy blue porcupines

£15

How many?

Postage & Packing

Total

UK -- 60p EU -- £1.05 Non-EU Europe -- £1.20 US/Canada -- £2.80 Asia/other overseas -- £3.40 If ordering more than one set of cufflinks, please add 50p per extra set.

I enclose payment of __________________, as follows: My cheque payable to Sidney Sussex College is attached

If a student graduates with half the debt he or she would have had without our help, then that will be a significant achievement as well.

I would like to pay by credit card. Please charge my: VISA Mastercard Eurocard Delta JCB card

ZSW: What do you enjoy about being philanthropists?

Card # Expiry Date Name as it appears on card _________________________________ Signature __________________________________ Date ________________

SC: It is satisfying to feel that we have made a commitment towards supporting education in science and mathematics and that our Foundation can make an impact at the personal

To order, please fill out this form and return it to: The Membership & Development Office, Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge CB2 3HU.

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Thank you to all who have supported Sidney Sussex in the past two years The Master, Fellows and staff of Sidney Sussex College are most grateful to all those Members and friends of the College who have supported Sidney Sussex during 2000-2002. Some of you have given generously to the Annual Fund to assist students, maintain the tutorial system and address new challenges. Others have made special gifts — establishing bursaries and special funds, or contributing toward the upkeep of a particular academic subject, building or student society. Thank you to all who have made anonymous gifts; your names may not be listed here, but we are deeply grateful to you . Finally, many thanks to those of you who have given in memory of John Thornely and Roger Andrew, and in honour of Derek Beales.

Gifts made after 30 June 2002 will be reported in a future issue of Pheon.

Gifts to the College and Annual Fund Accenture Foundation (Mr Paul Cartwright) Dr W Adams Lt Col E C Alderton CMG Professor J W Allen Mr M J Allen Mr C V Andrew Mr P G Andrews Mr G R Angell Mr H D Anton-Stephens Mr P H A Arbuthnot The Very Rev'd J R Arnold Mr L J Ashford Ms A C Baart Dr V J Baker Miss H E Baldock The Rev'd H R Balfour Mr R A Barber Mr M H Barlow Mr M P Basing Mr D Bassett Mr M K Bates Mr J A B Bayliss Mr M W E Bayliss Mr W M Beattie Sir Terence Beckett Ms A C Beckett Mrs P Begg Mr and Mrs C Belcher Dr J F Bell Mr J M M Bell Dr R B Bennet Mrs C L Bewick Mr K K Bilimoria Mr R H Birtwistle Mr D Blake Mr and Mrs R P Bradburne Mr A K Brett Mr A J Brewerton Mr P Bricknell Mr P Broad Mr R G Broadie Mr J Brock Mr D D Bromley-Challenor Mr S G Brook Mrs L P Brown Dr M W Brown The Rev'd Dr A S Browne Mr C A Browning Mr A M Burgess Mrs A H Bush Mr R E A Butler Mr K M Butt Colonel M J A Campbell, MBE Dr M W Cemlyn-Jones Mr E J Chandler Mr W G E Chilton Mr and Mrs P Chung Mr P J Clare Mr D R Clegg Mr J H Clement Dr G B Clements Mr P Coleman Mrs H R Collis Mr J R Collis Mr G E S Coltman The Condon Family Trust (Miss S C Condon ) Mr R B Cooper Mr P M Corless Mr M J Corlett Mr R A Coward Mr C N Cowling Mr R A Crabb Ms H Crease Mr D T K Dagg Mr G Darby Mr M Darby Miss S L Darke Cdr D Dawson Taylor Mr M Deans Dr R J Dennis Mr D E de Saxe Mr J A Dick Mr and Mrs A G Downey Ms D V R Dunbar Mr R J H Dunn Mr F A Eames

Dr M E Edwards Mrs J T Eggleston Mr A G Ellis Mr R J Elliston Ms A Emmans Dean Mr E W Espenhahn Mr N O Essex Mr H M Evans Mr R W Falcon Mr J M H Farmer Mr K A Ferguson Mr and Mrs M A G Ferrier Mr D N L Firth Mrs J M Fisher, MBA Mr P N Fison Mrs S V Flint Mr J Fordham Mr P G D Fox Mr T French Mr K G Frey Mr R M Furber Dr D Fyfe G David Booksellers Sir P Garland Dr R E B Garrod Mr B E Gates Mr R C Gee Mr J Gibbon Mrs S A Gibson Mr A P Gilbert Mr D R Gilbert Mr I Gilder Mr G M Gill Mr A R Gilmore Mr R C Goat Mr N S Goddard Mr N S Godwin Dr G Goldbeck-Wood Mr J P Goldberg Mr D J Gradwell Mr D H Gray Mr N D F Gray Mr J H Green Mr M S Green Mr P C Green Mr S R Green Mr N J Greenwood Ms N H Grist Mr K E Gubbins Mr G R Gunson Mr D C Haigh Mr D Haley Dr Hamad-Elneil Mr B Harrison Mrs J J Hartley Mr L Heller Sir J J P I Hennessy, KBE CMG The Rev'd Professor Dr A I C Heron Mr M V E Heroys Mr D R Hester Mr M N Higgin Mr P I Higham Mr J H H Ho Mr S D Hobbs Mr M P Hobson Mr P L Hogg Mr D Hollinghurst Mr A S Holmes Miss S Holmes Dr N S Hooton Professor G Horn Mr H H Houghton Mr D R Howard Mr D B Hughes Mr T B Hughes Mr M Hulf Dr P J Hull Mr A J L Huns Mr L R Hunt Mr J S Hurst Mr M F Illing Mr R J Instrall Mr D C Isaacs Mr E Jackson Ms J N James Dr K J M Jeffery Mr J D Jemson

Mr P G Jenkins Mr F B Johnson Mr D R P Jolly Mr I D Jordan Mr L E Kaye Mr L M Kaye Mr J R Kemm Mr N E Kempton Professor J T Kent AB Dr S F A Kettle Mr M G W Kettlewell Dr E B Keverne Mr J A King The Rev'd S R Knapton Dr J J Lagowski Mr and Mrs J W Laidler Mr E Lakin Mr G C Lambert Mr A H Lancashire Dr S R Lang Mr C E A Lawrence Mr I Lawrence Mr P M Laws Dr E M Lee The Rev'd N K Leiper The Lempriere Pringle Trust (Mr J G Ruffer) Mr W Leslie Mr A G N Levy Mr D A C Lipscomb Mr P W Lipscomb Miss V J Lipscomb Mr D C Litton Mr N J Lock Mrs A B Lomas Dr R G Lowe Mr C C K Lucas Mr A C Lum Dr A D MacAdam Mr P J MacBean Mr R M J Mackenzie Dr A I MacLeod Ms E M N Marshall Mr P A Marson Mr R H Martin Mr N G May Mr W G McCosh Mr P McErlean Mr L J C McKinstry Mrs L A McLeod Mr W J Medlicott Mr A J Melvin Mr R A Menzies Dr A Meredith-Smith Professor J M Miller Dr I A Miller Dr D B Mistry Mr B R Mitchell Mr A S Moloobhoy Ms J C Moodie Mr N Moon Mr M R Moore Mr J N Morgan Mr R Morgan Mr R D Morrison Mr S R Mostyn Mr G V R Moulding Dr A J Nadin Mr J H Nanson Mr J A Nelder Miss J L Nelson Dr K M Nicholls Mr K Nicholson Professor J Norton Mr I R Oldcorn Mr M J Overend Mr K J Packer Mr L R Packer Dr B E J Pagel Mr C J H Parker Mr K G Parker Dr M C Parker Mr R W Parker Mr R H Parkinson Mr D J Paton Mr P G W Patrick Mr M J Payling Dr D C Peddie Mrs K A L Penney

Mr J C T Pepperell Mr A D Percival The Rev'd M B Perkins Mr T W J Phillips Dr A J V Philp Mr R J Piggott Mrs V A Pinn Ms E J Poole Mr J A Porter Mr A R Pratt Ms S Pritchard Dr R D Pyrah Professor J C B Rae Mr N J Raeburn The Rev'd G P Ravalde Mr J S Ray (The Estate of Mr B J Ray) Mr N F Reader Mr P C Redfern Miss J Reed Mr D F Rees Mr R Rees Mr P R C Reeves Dr J M Reid Mr P N Richards Mr S G Rider Mr S Riley Mrs S Riley Dr D Rivers Professor C P Rodgers Mr P D Rodwell Mr I C Ross Dr L J Rowland Mr A D Roy Mr B T Rule Dr S J E Russell-Wells Mr D W Ruston The Rt Rev'd J H G Ruston Mr R Salmon Mr P D Sanderson Miss P R Sayers Mr C M T Scholtes Mr and Mrs D Schurman

Mr E N Scott Mr J F Scott Mr G W Scott-Giles Mr D W Seeley Dr A Segal Mr M W Shadforth Mr M Sharma Mr N P Sharman Dr W J Shatwell Mr E M Sheard Mr J A Shepherd Mr N E Shepherd Mr E L Smith Mr I J Smith Mr J B Smith Mr L D Smith Dr A K L So Mr D Sookun Lt-Colonel D R Stenhouse, MBE His Hon. Judge L B Stephen Mr D F Stephenson Mr B Stobart Hook Mr R G Storer Mr M W Story Mr D T Stott Mr D J Stranks Mr D M D Strong Mr D O Stroud Mr M L Stubberfield Mr K Tachibana Mr M S Taylor Mrs S E Taylor Mr J Temple Mr A J Thoelke Mr P M Thornely Mr M A Thorpe Dr D Thrush Mr J E G Tidball Mr B A Timbs Dr R Took Mr W Traynor

Mrs M J Tuck Mr K D Tuffnell Mr C P Turner Mr D M Tyrrell Dr Z J A Tyszkiewicz Mr S W Upton Mr C A S Urquhart Dr T C Viles Mrs H Voge Mr R T F Wainwright Dr A N Walker Dr G D Walker Mr P E J Walker Mr R H Walker Rev'd and Mrs I Wallis Mr B M Waltham Mr W R & Mrs E J Warburton Charitable Trust Dr C P Warren Mr & Mrs R A Waterer Mr I P Waters Mr A R Watts Mrs V J Welling Mr R D Whitaker Mr I C White Mr P P White Mr R O L Wickham Mr P D D Willan Mr G H W Williamson Mr C M W Wilson Mr H D Wilson Ms C J Wolfe in memory of Mr J S Wolfe Mr D M C Wong Mr J A Wood Mr J W Wood Mr R T Wood Mr K C Woodhead Mr G C Wright Mr P S J Zatz Professor J Ziegel

The Derek Beales History Fund This fund, honouring Emeritus Fellow Professor Derek Beales, provides travel and research grants and specialist language training to graduate students in European history. The first grants were awarded this year to two third-year historians: Mark Baczoni and Victoria Howitt. We are most grateful to the Sidney Members and friends, and former students and colleagues of Derek Beales who have given so generously to create these important graduate studentships.

Mr S M Andrews Mr L J Ashford The Rev'd J Baker Mr J H Bamberg Mr J M M Bell Mr M G Bevan Mr D M Blake Professor T C W Blanning Mr R P Blows Dr R H Bowdler BP Matching Gift ( M J Bamberg) Mr F S Brazier The Rt Hon the Lord Asa Briggs Dr M T Calaresu Dr L J Carter Mr E J Chandler Mr P J Coggan Miss V C Collingwood Mr J R Collis Mr C N Cowling Professor S M Dixon Dr S Doyle Mr C G Earles Mr H H I Easterling Mr E R P Edgcumbe Mr J C Emmerson Mr S J M Evans Mr A Fahrmeir Mr C A K Fenn-Smith Mr D N L Firth Mr C A Flaherty Mr B J Fletcher Sir William Gage Mr R C H Genochio

Mr T J Gilbert Mrs K Gill Mr D G Griffith-Jones Mr J E Hall Mr D Houghton Dr J C L Jackson Mrs A Jex Mr L Kaye Mr I A Kellett Mr S R Kverndal The Rt Hon the Lord Lang of Monkton, PC DL Mr T Lawson-Cruttenden Mr R F Lee Professor S E Lehmberg Mr P W Lipscomb Mr M Marland, CBE Professor J B L Mayall Mr M Mayer Ms A J McIlwaine Dr D J Miller Mr S R Mostyn Mr R Partington Mr G Pendlebury Mr R J Piggott Mr D M Pittaway Mr W R M Raynsford Mr P Redford Dr J M Reid, OBE The Rt Rev'd J Richards Mr P J R Riddell Mr D F Sanders Dr R K Schiller Mr C M J Segar Mr J M Sennet Mr C N C Sherwood

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Mr R E Sherwood Mr J H Shoard Mr D R W Silk, CBE Mr F J Silvester Mr R A J Sircar Mr D J Slimmon Mr D J Smith Dr M H Smith Dr P J Star Dr E D Steele Mr J G Stephens Mr C L Stevenson Mr T C F Stunt Mr J A Taggart Dr B J Thompson Mr J Thorne Mr R G Thorne Mr M Townsend Ms G A Treglia Mr L A Tromans Mr D R Tucker Professor D M Vincent Mr M Waldron Mr R T F Wainwright Mr B M Waltham Mr J M Webb Dr N J Westcott, CMG Mr S Wheeler Dr C A White Mr S C White Mr K J Woodrow Mr D J Woods Dr C J Wright Mr P Yorke

The College extends special thanks to the friends and family of Dr Sean O’Cathasaigh (1975). Their generous gifts in his memory have enabled the purchase of more than seventy volumes of French literature and criticism for the Richard Powell Library.

Special Gifts Particular thanks are owed to those College Members, 1596 Foundation Members and other friends of the College who have made benefactions and special gifts during 20002002. Benefactions and special gifts enable the College to create student funds, prizes and teaching Fellowships, as well as to endow funds for the maintenance of College activities, societies and buildings. Special gifts include many named and memorial gifts, honouring Members and friends of the College.

AMBAS A & S Dymond CharitableTrust The Estate of Mr A E Bailey Mr J Barker Mr J P Barton Professor J G Basker Bertie Black Foundation Mr A C Bloom Dr L Broughton Dr P V Brown The Estate of Mr P Byk Mr J H Bryson Dr S F and Mrs J Campbell Cambridge in America Professor J Carley The Estate of Mr M A Chamberlain Mr J R Collis Mr T R Dorrington Ward Mr H H I Easterling Mr P R Ellis Dr D Fyfe Mr D G Garton Mr M Gerstenhaber Mrs K Gledhill

Mr L Heller Mr J Humphrey Bryson Dr S R Lang The Estate of Rev'd Dr F Mason Mrs A Osborne Ms C Perry Sir Richard Powell College Charitable Fund Pfizer Mr R C J Phillips Mr J Pyddoke The Estate of Mr B J Ray Mr D G M Roberts CBE The Rt Rev'd J H G Ruston The Sidney Sussex Foundation Mr D R C Sandison Mr and Mrs J F Scott Mr M L Smith Mr B P Thomson Mr M A Thorpe The Estate of Mr B B Whittaker Professor H B Whittington Mr D Wong Professor J S Ziegel

Remembering Dick Chorley In May 2002, the College lost one of its most beloved members, the distinguished geographer Dick Chorley, also known for his studies of Sherlock Holmes. To honour his legacy, Sidney Sussex has established the Dick Chorley Awards for Geographers —prizes and travel bursaries to encourage future generations of Sidney Sussex Geography students.

If wish to contribute to this fund in memory of Dick Chorley, please fill out and return the leaflet enclosed with this issue of Pheon.

JWA Thornely Fellowship in Law This Fellowship will strengthen law teaching at Sidney Sussex, while honouring the memory and legacy of John Thornely. Many thanks to those of you who have made gifts toward the establishment of this important College Fellowship.

Mr A Akinjide Miss E A Allan The Rt Hon Lady Justice Arden DBE Mr M K Ayers Lord Oliver of Aylmerton Ms J R Barlow Professor D E D Beales Mr J M M Bell Mr K F Bilimoria Mr C S Blake Mrs R M J Branfoot Mr C A Browning Dr L J Carter Mrs V Charlton Dr and Mrs M Clarke Mr L P Cleminson Professor R T Curtis Professor S Dawson Mr D de Saxe Mr J D Derry Dr A L Downing Mr N O Essex Ms F Ford Mr M Gerstenhaber His Hon Judge M B Goodman Mr R L Hall Mr M W Heath Mr D S Honour Mr J A Hopkins Professor G Horn Mr R Hovel Professor G James Proessor D A Jenkins Miss S E Jones Mr P M LawsonCruttenden Mr R D Lord

Mr J A McLean Mr A A McGill Mr J W McNeill Nichol Young Foundation (Rev'd J Mitson) Mr J Ould Mrs A C Owen Mr L R Packer Mr P G Patrick Mr R C J Phillips Professor D M Potts Mr V J G Power Mr D A Redfern Mr P R C Reeves Mr G Rodway Mr P C Roe Mrs K Roy Mr J M Rushton Mrs J Smail Mr W A F P Steiner Mr D Steward Mr R C G Strick Mr D M D Strong Mr F D Thoday (in memory of the late Mrs Roslyn L Thoday) Mr W I H Thom Mrs B Thomsen Mrs B Thomson Miss J Thornely Thornely Famly Gift Mr G P Tranter Mr and Mrs N Trotman Mr D M Tyrrell Mr E A Wells Colonel D R and Mrs P J Whitaker Mr T S Wyatt Professor J Ziegel

The Roger Andrew Fund This fund has been established in memory of the College's beloved former Bursar to assist students from poorer backgrounds, and in particular from Africa, where Roger worked for many happy years. To all who have assisted in the establishment of the Roger Andrew Fund, very many thanks.

Mr J M Y Andrew Mr N C Andrew The Rt Rev’d P Atkins Mr K R Banyard Mr N C Barford Mr M P Basing Mr G A Bazire Sir Terence Beckett Mrs C L Bewick Mr P G Bowler The Rev'd Dr A S Browne Mr H D Bryan Professor K J Carpenter Mr J Catlow Mr E J Chandler Mr J R Collis Ms S Condon Mr F D Cousin Ms S L Darke Ms A Davies Mr M G Davies Dr R H L Disney Mr M W Dorrell Mrs A Emmans Dean Mr C A K Fenn-Smith Mr B J Fletcher Mr M D Ford Mr J W Gibbon Dr I A S Gibson Mr P J Goddard Mr J H Green Dr P C Green Mr J M Griffin Mr D Haley Rev'd P H W Hawkins Sir J Hennessy Dr M J Herrick Mr R J Hill Mr J H Ho Mr G M Hollington Mr C P Hughes Mr A P Huntington Mr M F Illing Professor G James Mr W D Kingdom

Mr T Kreule Mr S Kverndal Mr T F P Lallemand Mr R Lewney Ms K Minogue Mr F W Mumby Mr C N Osmond Dr D A L Owen Mr L R Packer Dr B E J Pagel Mr R Partington Mr N Peacock Mr J M J Phillips Mr S C Pimlott Dr R D Pyrah Dr P A M Raine Mr A N Ratcliffe Dr J M Reid Mr A T Riley Dr K Roussopoulos Mr S P Salt Mr R L Savory Mr R K Schiller Mr C M J Segar Mr N E Shepherd Mr C N Sherwood Mr J D Short Mr D R W Silk, CBE Mr C E Slater Mr I J Smith Mr L D Smith Mr L G Smith Mr W A F P Steiner Mrs J E Still Mr R J Stranks Mr M L Stubberfield Mr K Tachibana Dr B J Thompson Ms E G Tudor Mr L K Turner Mr D M Tyrrell Mr D L Walker Mr B J Welch Mr K Woodrow Mr D J Woods

Fox International Fellowships Vice-Master, Prof. Tony Badger, hosted a lunch for Joseph and Alison Fox, the founders of the Fox International Fellowship Program, when they visited the College to attend the 1596 Foundation dinner on 3rd November 2001. He writes: Joseph Fox is an alumnus of Yale and spent a postgraduate year living on Jesus Lane in Cambridge before the war. After a prominent career in investment banking, Mr Fox set up his own office as an educational consultant. He had developed a particular interest in Russian business and education and he was heavily involved in the affairs of Yale University, where he is a Charter Sterling Fellow and a member of the President’s Council on International Activities.

As a member of the Council of Foreign Relations, he was concerned to see that no future President of the United States, as he said, was as ‘ignorant of world affairs as Lyndon Johnson.’ He therefore conceived the Fox International Fellowships to make sure that future world leaders were informed about countries other than their own. Under this scheme, Yale exchanges graduate students with universities in Moscow, Berlin, Beijing, and Latin America.

Sidney has been the beneficiary of Joseph Fox’s exceptional generosity since 1994 when the exchange between Yale and the College was negotiated. Since then, the Fox program has paid for 10 Sidney graduate students to study, usually for a year, at Yale and for 15 Yale students to study at Sidney, usually for a semester. As one former Fox Fellow from Sidney, Sarah Fitzharding (neé Cundy), noted, she was forever in Mr Fox’s debt ‘for the incredible, life-changing opportunity he gave me’.

Some past and present Fox International Fellows meet Joseph and Alison Fox: (L to R) Tuomo Summoanen (FF 2000-1), Marco Wan (FF 2001-2), Joseph Fox, Kimberly Gahan (FF 2001-2), David Perkins (FF 1995) and Alison Fox

Joseph Fox has provided wonderful opportunities for Sidney graduate students and the students from Yale have greatly enriched the life of the College. The College recognised Mr Fox’s contribution by electing him to a Fellow Commonership in the summer of 2001.

Tony Badger (1965)

New York Dinner

Introducing the Thornely Society

On Friday 12th April 2002, the Sidney Sussex Foundation hosted a dinner at the Williams Club in New York, attended by the Master of the College, Professor Sandra Dawson and her husband Henry.

On the evening of Friday 28 March 2003, the Master and Fellows of Sidney Sussex will hold a dinner to honour the memory of JWA Thornely and to raise funds for the College Fellowship in his name. All Sidney Sussex law graduates, practising lawyers and former students of John Thornely are warmly invited to this event, which will be the inaugural dinner of the new Thornely Society at the College. Enclosed with this Pheon is a brief questionnaire, designed to identify all those Sidney Members on whose undergraduate lives or subsequent careers John had a significant influence. We would be very grateful if all Sidney Members who matriculated before 1985 would complete the enclosed questionnaire and return it to the Membership and Development Office.

The Master presented Christopher Stoneman (1947) with a pewter tankard to express the gratitude of all at Sidney Sussex for his many years as Secretary-Treasurer of the Sidney Sussex Foundation.

New Secretary-Treasurer Tom Viles (right of centre)

Rowers! The 2003 regatta will be held on Christopher Stoneman (left) and Tony French

Alison and Joseph Fox with the Master

Christopher hands over the reins to Tom Viles (1992). David Smith (1958) has also joined the Sidney Sussex Foundation Board of Directors.

The President of the Foundation is Professor Tony French (1939).

Henry Dawson (centre)

Saturday 27th September at 10.00 a.m. All Members who enjoy rowing (whether seriously or just for fun) are encouraged to participate!

Men and women, novices and veterans, and all ages are welcome. To add your name to the mailing list for further information, contact Zoe Swenson-Wright (zs205@cam.ac.uk).

On Sunday 28th September 2003, all Sidney Members involved in the regatta or other Alumni Weekend activities are warmly invited to join the Master and Commemoration Dinner guests for breakfast in Hall.

Boxed Tablemat Set

NAME _______________________________________________________________________

In 2003, we are delighted to offer an entirely new item of merchandise – this beautiful boxed set of six tablemats, reproducing three drawings

by Denis Mason Jones, MA ARIBA (1936).

_____________________________________________________________________________

MAILING ADDRESS ___________________________________________________________ PHONE ______________________________________________________________________ Please send me the following items: Item

Combining old and new views of Sidney Sussex with interesting historical and architectural facts about the College, these tablemats are both attractive and nostalgic -unlike anything available elsewhere.

Number of items ordered

Box of six tablemats.

Price per item

UK postage and packing *

£32

£5

Total

TOTAL * If you are living overseas, please pay the listed price including UK postage and packing and we will invoice you for any additional cost.

Sidney Members planning a visit to Cambridge should note that these tablemats can be purchased directly from the College, to avoid postage costs.

The tablemats are of high quality, and have been produced for us by Hedgerow Publishing Ltd. of Sheffield.

I enclose payment of __________________, as follows: My cheque payable to Sidney Sussex College is attached

Please return this form to the Membership & Development Office, Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge CB2 3HU. Telephone: 01223-338881, Fax: 01223-338884

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Supping by Subject

A Tradition of Reunions Long before the Sidney Sussex Society was established, one group of Sidney friends discovered for themselves the pleasure of regular reunions. For 20 years, they have held regular informal gatherings in London — first at the Shell Centre and the Oxford and Cambridge Club, later at the RAF Club. Pictured below are the current members of the group:

Pioneered by the Confraternitas Historica, there have for many years been regular dinners for subject groups in College. This grouping by subject is now inspiring alumni reunions, organised by the Sidney Sussex Society. The dinners featured here were both very successful and have led to calls for repeats and for extension of the concept to other subjects. Anyone wishing to help with the organisation of a dinner for a particular subject should contact Wendy Hedley (01223-338881; wah21@cam.ac.uk). Early in February is now the traditional time for these dinners. The two pictured below permit a comparison of the old and new — in the decoration of the Hall and in the hanging of the portraits around the high table.

© Eaden Lilley Photography, Cambridge

Medical and Veterinary Society Reunion Dinner, 9th February 2002

Engineers’ Reunion Dinner, 8th February 2003 Gwilym Roberts CBE (1943), David Griffiths OBE (1940), Peter Ellis (1945), Henry Probert MBE (1945), Duncan Townson (1945), Russell Barty (1945), Bertie Bower (1944), Donald Stephenson MBE (1940), Andrew Roy (1938) and (not pictured) Jeffrey Switzer (1944)

© Eaden Lilley Photography, Cambridge

Congratulations to you all, for so many years of friendship and collegiality! Particular thanks are due to Peter Ellis, whose recent magnificent gift to the College is described on page 1. Special congratulations also to Henry Probert who has recently published a definitive new biography of Sir Arthur Harris, in Bomber Harris, His Life and Times (see Pass it on for more details)

Your own chair in Hall

To purchase a copy of the official photograph of the Engineers’ Reunion Dinner, visit www.eadenlilleyphotography.co.uk

Do you have a skeleton in the cupboard?

When the Hall was redecorated over the summer, the College commissioned a new set of chairs from furniture designer Luke Hughes. Hand-crafted from English oak, and with a quality leather covering for the seats and backs in Atlantic green (above left), each chair has a small brass plaque (similar to that above right) set permanently into the back. By presenting a chair, Members can support the redecoration of the Hall, and the plaque can carry their own name and matriculation year, or the name of a family member or friend they wish to commemorate.

The cost of each chair is £330; of the 96 originally ordered, about half now have commemorative plaques. To have your own, please complete and return the flier enclosed with this Pheon as soon as possible.

The teaching of anatomy is fundamental in medical training. At Cambridge anatomy is taught mainly in the first year of the pre-clinical course, with a combination of lectures, dissection classes and college-based supervisions. To ensure the best possible start, we have tried to provide each first-year medical student at Sidney with an individual human skeleton to supplement and enhance supervision teaching in anatomy. Over the years, the number of students accepted

by Sidney to read medicine has increased, and we now need additional skeletons if we are to maintain this one-to-one correspondence. We are therefore asking of all Sidney doctors who still have a skeleton from their university days whether they would be prepared to donate it to the college for anatomy teaching. In doing so you would be making a very real contribution to the training of tomorrow’s doctors and your generosity would be immensely appreciated. The College would of course cover packing and transportation costs. In the first instance, please contact Dr A. P. Jackson (a.p.jackson@bioc.cam.ac.uk), Pre-clinical Director of Studies, Medical and Veterinary Sciences Tripos, at the College (01223 338858) or in the Dept. of Biochemistry (01223 765951, fax: 338884).

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Party and hosted by Sir John Lindsay (1956), it continues to be held at the Middle Temple.

This year, over 80 Members and guests were addressed by the Vice-Master Prof. Tony Badger (1965) and were treated to a Christmas cake bearing the College arms as fashioned by Catering Manager, Brian Barber.

Pheon proudly unfurls what Society Chairman Peter Lipscomb (1959) describes as ‘the finest logo ever designed by a committee’. The past year has seen many successful events; we hope to see even more people and an even wider age range at this year’s events. It is particularly good to record the Society’s first overseas event, and we hope this success in Geneva will be followed by others.

Coppet. The event attracted Members and guests from a broad range around Geneva and some visitors from Cambridge. Pheon’s editor Prof. Lindsay Greer (Fellow, 1984) conveyed the best wishes of the College and of the

Forthcoming Events Spring Dinner, 26 April 2003 This year the Society will hold its annual dinner in College. If you wish to come, please complete the flier enclosed with this copy of Pheon, or contact Wendy Hedley in the Membership and Development Office (01223-338881; wah21@cam.ac.uk). The price of only £35 per head includes predinner drinks, dinner with wine and a nightcap in the Senior Combination Room afterwards. The Master and Fellows look forward to seeing you at this black-tie event.

Summer Event, 5 July 2003 This year’s event will follow the successful pattern already established, but with new entertainments as ever. For further details contact Wendy Hedley (01223-338881; wah21@cam.ac.uk).

London Dinner, 8th March 2002 This was held in Middle Temple Hall, Inns of Court. After the excellent dinner, Sir Patrick Garland (1948) spoke on the history of the Hall.

New Year’s Honours 2003 Professor Ravinder N. (‘Tiny’) Maini (1956) has been knighted for pioneering research on arthritis which has led to new drug treatments. In rheumatoid arthritis, the body’s own immune system attacks tissues in the joints, causing inflammation, pain and reduced mobility. Sir Ravinder's team at the Kennedy Institute, Imperial College found that a leading agent in the process is a body chemical called tumour necrosis factor (TNF). They found a way to stop this from working, and pain and inflammation are thereby greatly reduced. In connection with the Sidney’s Quatercentenary Appeal, Sir Ravinder hosted the Medical Dinner in April 1995 to raise money for the Medical Fellowship.

In 2000 he was a co-winner of the Crafoord Prize awarded by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences for research in areas not covered by the Nobel prizes.

Sidney Sussex Society and presented to the vingtaine of diners a bottle of 1981 Grande Champagne Cognac bottled for the College.

Christmas Party, 9th December 2002 For 40 years the Cocktail Party was hosted by Sir Patrick Garland. Now called the Christmas

Professor John A. Pople, FRS has been knighted for services to chemistry. Sir John was associated with Sidney when he was Linnett lecturer in 1997 and he won the Nobel Prize for chemistry in the following year. He is Professor of Chemistry in Northwestern University, USA.

Summer Event, 6th July 2002 Nearly 70 Members and guests attended the event which began with a buffet lunch in Hall, followed by two talks by Sidney Fellows. In “11th September 2001 and the International Order” Prof. James Mayall interpreted events before and after the terrorist attack, and analysed questions of Moslem identity. Prof.

Tony Badger then spoke on “Theodore Roosevelt and Oliver Cromwell” telling of Roosevelt’s book on the Lord Protector and his conclusion: ‘Great man though he was, and far though the good that he did out-balanced the evil, yet he lost the right to stand with men like Washington and Lincoln of modern times’.

The day also included a reunion and informal concert for Choir members, tours of the College Chapel and gardens, and dinner.

progressing to a Readership in Neuro-Biology.

He then took up the Chair of Anatomy at Bristol but was called back to Cambridge, to the Chair of Zoology, in 1977. In 16 years as Head of Department, he was extraordinarily influential in strengthening research so that Cambridge achieved the highest rating in zoology in recent UK Research Assessment Exercises. At national level he served as Chairman of the Working Party on the biology of spongiform encephalopathies and as Chairman of the Animal Sciences Committee of the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1986.

In 2001 he was awarded the Royal Medal of the Royal Society ‘For his work advancing the understanding of the neurobiological mechanisms underlying behaviour, embracing molecular, cellular, anatomical, electrophysiological and ethological approaches to learning and memory’.

A recent contribution to public policy has been to chair the Committee on the Review of the origins of BSE which was published by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Department of Health in July 2001.

And in 2002 — The above honours follow the knighthood for Professor Gabriel Horn, FRS in the New Year’s Honours list a year ago. Gabriel needs no introduction, having been Master of Sidney 1992 to 1999. During his mastership, the College flourished as an academic community committed to the highest standards of scholarship in research and teaching. His knighthood recognises his ‘services to neurobiology and the advancement of scientific research’.

His childhood in Birmingham took him first into qualifications in mechanical engineering but after National Service in the Education Branch of the RAF he pursued pre-clinical studies at the University of Birmingham with remarkable distinction. He then became House Officer at Birmingham’s Children’s Hospital. In 1956 he came to be demonstrator at the Cambridge Department of Anatomy,

Geneva Dinner, 26th October 2002 No doubt there have been many links between our puritan college and the city of Calvin, but the most recent centre on Dr Ajit Bhalla (Fellow, 1997). Ajit lives near Geneva, but still makes frequent visits to the College. He organised Le Dîner d’Inauguration du Sidney Club de Genève, held at the Hôtel du Lac,

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In 1998 Gabriel and the then Masters of Downing, Queens’ and Clare Colleges launched a series of Cambridge-Government science policy seminars on a variety of subjects including ageing, information technology, genetics, and the environment.

Gabriel’s seminars, CUGPOP, as they are popularly known, are ‘invitation only’ events which must not be missed by any thinking senior civil servant or minister concerned with the topic of the day.

Champions never come back As proudly reported in CAM (Mich.

Term 2002) and in our own Annual, the victors in University Challenge’s ‘Champion of Champions’ series were Sidney’s winning team of 1979. Nicholas Graham from that team reports — Champions never come back. You only get one shot at the title. You’re only as good as your last game.

These thoughts passed through my mind last February when the college’s victorious 1979 University Challenge team were asked by Granada TV to take part in a special series of the popular television quiz marking the programme’s 40th anniversary. The team, comprising John Gilmore, John Adams, captain David Lidington and myself, had long since hung up our buzzers. In our student days we had become the 1979 University Challenge champions before going on to score further victories against a team of Sidney Fellows gallantly led by Derek Beales, and then carrying off the grandly titled ‘World Challenge Championship’ against Davidson College, North Carolina.

We now had the opportunity to become the University Challenge Champion of Champions. But would we be up to it? To have a certain talent at the age of 20 is commonplace; to reach the age of 45 and still be possessed of that talent would be nothing short of miraculous. Faced with the challenge, it seemed an unmatchable opportunity to make a complete fool of myself in public. We would be old. We would be slow. We would forget the simplest things. We all felt a certain reluctance, only gradually overcome by the thought that it would be wonderful to meet for the first time in 20 years, and relive old times.

So, on a bright Sunday in April we returned to the familiar studios of Granada Television, butterflies generating chaos in our stomachs, to find that the programme had changed too. A new presenter. A new set. A new theme tune. A production team who thought nothing of recording eight shows in a day (back in the 1970s it was three in a week). Worse still, Granada’s decision to invite back only team members, without a travelling reserve, deprived us of our secret weapon, reserve Stephen Badsey who contributed immeasurably to our original success by amassing practice question-banks for us and keeping a wary eye on the strengths and weaknesses of our opponents. This time we went on cold, without rehearsal. Our 1st round opponents were Trinity College Oxford, runners-up to our Sidney champion predecessors in 1972. The match was a jolt.

Jeremy Paxman seemed to take an age to read out questions while our minds chased tantalisingly elusive facts — and then our opponents pressed their buzzers. But a late run of questions to which we knew the answers gave us victory and enough points to qualify for the semi-finals.

Chastened and better prepared we returned in June — to discover that our opponents were reigning champions Somerville College Oxford. Could we improve on our first-round form? Would our team mascot, Sid, once again be propitiated with sacrificial rituals in the dressing room? This time, we were leaving nothing to chance. Our old fire had returned and we won through to the final basking in the bliss of being branded ‘absolutely insufferable’

by Jeremy Paxman, and a victory margin of

300 points. Keele University 1968 were altogether more testing opponents, but we won a difficult final by 375 to 185, and were presented with our trophies by Stephen Fry. After forty years, University Challenge produced a contest between red brick & ivory tower, between teams representing two years remarkable in the history of post-war Britain — the high-water mark of social change and the turning of the tide. Perhaps unsurprisingly we shared a common experience, denied to some younger teams, of education being a training of minds in a shared understanding, of knowledge as a common provision, not a set of skills to be measured, classified and accounted for by student loans.

and mountain conspired to have me spend eight cloudless days on the line of the railway.

Hiring a 4 x 4 with an experienced local driver, we descended 6000 feet down dusty zig-zag track through various layers of climate and vegetation to the hot and humid bottom of the Batopilas Canyon. The descent exceeded that in the Grand Canyon of Arizona. On the precipitous slopes were visible the dwellings of the Tarahumara Indians, the original inhabitants of the region who fled into this inhospitable backwater to escape the ministrations of the early Spanish missionaries — and who can blame them? In the gorge the massive mound of tailings from the defunct La Bufa silver mine made an incongruous heap amid the cactus.

So how do you succeed at University Challenge? Three tips: interrupt starters; interrupt bonuses; never ever argue with each other. That ought to do it.

At El Fuerte, a town on the western side of the Sierra, I awaited the Chihuahua train. Two passenger trains a day run in each direction. The earlier is the estrella, for the well-heeled with a restaurant car at gouging prices and even a private observation car attached at the rear for the highest rollers. An hour later comes the mixto, for the locals, back-packers and cashstrapped academics, at one-third the price of the estrella but taking 16 hours for the journey. I reverted to type and boarded the mixto. From El Fuerte to Creel the line climbs the escarpment, some 6000 feet in 50 miles, a serious endeavour for a railway dependent only on adhesion. Traction is not Yorkshire steam like the Darjeeling line in India but Mexican diesel.

The line, single-tracked except for passing loops, twists and turns across the face of the range through 80 tunnels and over 40 bridges as it gains height. In places one can look down vertically to the track traversed half an hour previously. On three occasions I saw lying below the track the rusty relics of freight cars which had come off in accidents best not imagined.

The sweets of victory have been highly diverting. Jeremy Paxman suggested we come out of retirement ‘like the Rolling Stones’.

(We’re still trying to decide which one of us has to be Keith Richard. Or worse still, Bill Wyman.) John Gilmore was publicly compared to a giant flying psychic tank. John Adams’ GP surgeries have been unusually prolonged.

David Lidington gained invaluable experience answering difficult questions from Jeremy Paxman. I have been stopped in the street and congratulated by complete strangers. Reunions have taken place, more are planned. Perhaps sweetest of all were the words of Steve Badsey, best of reserves, after the recording.

“We always knew you were the best team in the world. Now you’re the best team in history.”

Champions do come back.

Nicholas Graham (1976)

The mixto was modestly comfortable: chocolate, tortillas, cold drinks and even potnoodles were continuously hawked and every half hour or so a conductor swept the floor.

Although the atmosphere on board was tranquil and even amicable, security was visible. the region is notorious for narcotics cultivation and trafficking. Three police officers, hands twitching on their pistol butts, patrolled the carriages, occasionally kicking and prodding the baggage of suspicious-looking travellers. At the summit of the line, Divisadero, where I had stayed in the swank hotel, the track comes within 100 yards of the canyon rim where the passengers are allowed 15 minutes to admire the view and by a meal from the tightly-packed stalls purveying local delicacies.

Mexican Meanders The untimely death of Geoffrey Marston in August 2002 robbed the College of a pillar of its law teaching; it also deprived Pheon of its principal foreign correspondent. Geoffrey was proud of his contributions, noting that they were the first items to appear when his name was entered into an internet search engine. At the time of his death, Geoffrey had already submitted an article (printed in abridged form below), not yet with photographs. Its inimitable style is a worthy reminder of his many contributions to College life.

After Railtrack’s recent shortcomings on the Cambridge lines, this journey was welcome compensation.

Geoffrey Marston, 1938-2002

A two-hour flight west of Houston, the city of Chihuahua sprawls across the arid plateau of northern Mexico. Its eponymous dog apart, Chihuahua is also noted for being a terminus of the Ferrocarril Chihuahua al Pacifico, a railway started in the 19th century as part of the most expeditious route between Kansas City and Pacific tidewater at Topolobampo. Not until 1961 was the last spike knocked in and even now the 400-mile line ends at Los Mochis some 20 miles short of the Gulf of California.

What is distinctive about the line is that it crosses the Sierra Madre Occidental in the vicinity of the Barrancas del Cobre — the Copper Canyons — although silver not copper was their most important product.

Notwithstanding the regrettable lack of territorial disputes, the combination of railway

Pass it on…

Congratulations to Prof. Ron Bracewell (1946) on his election as a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in recognition of outstanding contributions in astronomy and earth sciences. Based in the Electrical Engineering Department at Stanford, Prof. Bracewell is a Renaissance man, noted also as an artist and plant historian.

In 1996, Peter Coleman (1967) and his wife founded a small third world aid charity called CANAID, modelled on Oxfam.

Sidney Members interested in international charitable work should contact him on 0121 4297832 or write to: Banyas, 37 Aubrey Road, Harborne, Birmingham, West Midlands B32 2BB. Greenhill Books has recently published Air Commodore Henry Probert’s definitive biography of Sir Arthur Harris, Bomber Harris, His Life and Times, described by the Spectator’s Alistair Horne as an ‘excellent new study.’ Henry is also the author of High Commanders of the RAF and The Forgotten Air Force, a history of the RAF role in the war against Japan.

Andrew Flewitt (webeditor@sid.cam.ac.uk) has set up a ‘message board’ to facilitate communication between alumni. The message board, together with lots of other information for alumni, can be found at http://www.sid.cam.ac.uk/alumni/ alumni.html ROWERS If you want to keep in touch with Boat Club news and former rowers, join the BOAT CLUB SOCIETY by writing to the Captain of Boats c/o the College or to mgkb2@cam.ac.uk. A newsletter will be sent out later in the year to all society members. Last year Katy Williams was in the Blue Boat; Oliver Watkins was in the Men’s Lightweight Blue Boat. This year Laura Rous and Catherine Carus are trialing for heavyweight seats. Alex Hamilton is still involved with the ARA World Class Start programme and is trialing for the men’s lightweight crews.

PORCUPINES Could members of the Porcupines Club please contact Toby Lees c/o the College or at tl235@cam.ac.uk. We are compiling a computer database of members’ achievements and whereabouts to complete records and help organise regular gatherings.

If any College Member is willing to offer advice or assistance to fellow College Members and would like to publish details in Pheon, please write.

All would-be contributors should contact the Assistant Editor of Pheon: Zoe Swenson-Wright Membership & Development Office, Sidney Sussex College Cambridge CB2 3HU. Wednesday 19th June 2002. Preparations for the Sidney May Ball — ‘The Greatest Show on Earth’

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Tel: 01223-338864 Fax: 01223-338881 zs205@cam.ac.uk

THE SIDNEY SUSSEX NEWSLETTER

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Amazing scenes at the Grand National Sidney man rides to victory in race marked by soft ground and many falls The victorious jockey tells his story to Pheon — When it became known that I was to ride Tipperary Tim in the Grand National my friends became facetious. One of them declared that if the rest all fell I might have a chance, and I replied that they might easily do that, but my horse would jump and stay for ever. Another humorist remarked that his staying powers consisted in staying a long time in the same place.

ISSUE FOURTEEN July 2001

To avoid the scrimmage I took Tipperary Tim along on the outside from the start, so that he had a clear run at his fences and the mud kicked up by the ßying heels in front did not get into his tube and choke him.

Though this may have meant going a little further the extra distance was very slight and well worth while ; for while more than a score of horses were tumbling over the fallen Easter Hero at the fence at the Canal Turn, Tipperary Tim, jumping wide of the trouble, was going on steadily to Valentine’s Brook with only four others standing in front of him.

A bit further on, as we rounded the bend on the ßat race course, I had a peep over my shoulder, and to my astonishment could see only one horse following. I did not then know the full extent of the disaster at the Canal Turn.

Tim was jumping magniÞcently and seemed full of energy, and I began to feel very hopeful. I had conÞdence in my mount : and justly so, for on that great day, in very trying circumstances, he never wavered. The yawning ditches, the perilous drops, the long fatiguing journey, the sorry plight of his brethren, his own physical handicap, and the frantic yelling of the crowd, these were enough to test the most courageous equine heart.

The Illustrated London News, 7 April 1928

Previous form may have given them good cause for their gibes, but it has been proved over and over again that Aintree is a law unto itself, and Tim and I were to have the last laugh this time. With a Þeld of over forty runners, the fences stiff, and the ground soft and treacherous, there are bound to be many falls in that Þrst mile of thrills, when the horses are cramped for room and the fallen bring down the others, who in turn career riderless among the survivors.

The last jump: (from left to right) Tipperary Tim (winner), the riderless Great Span, and Billy Barton taking the fence just before his fall.

CONTENTS A Schoolteacher Fellow reports ............2 Chairman meets Master ........................2 Christmas? ..............................................2 London Dinner .......................................3 Summer Event ........................................3 Yeoman’s Service ....................................3 Society News ...........................................3

Barton and Great Span were racing together in front of me as if they were the only two in it.

Colledge Goods .......................................4

At the next fence Great Span’s jockey was thrown. His saddle had slipped, and the horse went on riderless, threatening for one anxious moment to dissipate the chance of Tipperary Tim.

Pass it on! ................................................4

Rings and coasters .................................4

The excitement of American spectators must now have been terriÞc : but grievous disappointment followed. My mount drew level with their champion at the last fence, where tired Billy Barton, who had put up a great Þght, leading for most of the way, fell, a beaten horse.

Thus did Tipperary Tim, the tubed, despised outsider, come home alone in his amazing glory, an easy winner of the most sensational race of all time.

W. P. Dutton (1921)

After jumping the water in front of the stands I moved up closer to the leaders as the six survivors went out into the country again.

Soon De Combat took a liberty with a fence which proved his undoing.

Diary Dates 2001 10th December

London Cocktail Party

Commemoration of Benefactors* — 22nd September for those coming up in the years 1988–1989

2002 9th February

Combined Medical Dinner

8th March

London Dinner

11th May

MA Graduation Dinner Summer Event

9th December

London Cocktail Party

Three were now left with two fences to jump. My horse was still going strong under me and so far had never touched a fence. Meanwhile, Billy

* Please contact the Admissions OfÞce (01223 338844) for further details

G. Marston

This article, from the Pheon of June 1928, was brought to our attention by T. S. Wyatt (1927). Tom was reminded of it by the relative paucity of Þnishers in the National in the present year. Its author was an amateur rider who made his career as a solicitor in Chester. Tom offers to report further on Sidney’s ‘fondness for horse-ßesh in former days’ in the next issue of Pheon.

New Sidneians — it’s now a tradition (established by the ducks themselves) that ducklings are raised in College each year. The Master’s garden is a favoured patch.

The National Horseracing Museum Newmarket

6th July Shortly after Valentine’s French Hope fell, and May King touched a fence and toppled over on my right.

Tipperary Tim in more sedate pose

Graduation often brings together several generations, but it is more rare for all to be Sidneians. This year Kate Woods (1998) was accompanied by her father David (1970) and her grandfather Dennis (1947). They are seen here in the College garden after graduation, standing by the tree planted in memory of Roger Andrew of whom they were all very fond.

A Schoolteacher Fellow reports Since 1978 Sidney has invited schoolteachers to spend a term in College, the leave from teaching allowing time for thought and a piece of research. The College derives many beneÞts from this contact with schools; the view ‘from the other side’ is provided here by Bill Bailey, currently Headteacher at Woodkirk High School, Leeds.

Bill looks back on his experience as Schoolteacher Fellow Commoner in the Lent Term 1993 and considers its inßuence.

My Þrst visit to Sidney was when I was interviewed following my application to become a Schoolteacher Fellow. The experience was vastly different from previous headship interviews, during which, on one occasion, I was asked “Why do your want to come to Barnsley, then?” During another interview I was asked by an inquisitive school governor, “What is the question you would least like me to ask you?” There was an obvious reply: “You’ve just asked it.”

Bill Bailey outside his school

The interview with Professor Donald Northcote, then Master, Drs Mark Hennings and Claire Preston was affable yet probing. To my astonishment, I was informed that my application was successful: the governors at Denbigh High School, where I was then Headteacher, saw this as a great honour. The staff of the school were supportive, particularly as many received acting-up allowances as the stafÞng structure was reorganised for the term.

At interview I had gained the impression of Sidney as a friendly yet focused establishment, a view reinforced during my all-too-short period of residence. After being welcomed by Roger Andrew, I moved into a room on the same landing as Tim Blanning and Donald Green, who were informative and helpful.

Lindsay Greer and Geoffrey Marston acted as guides and mentors and, even now, keep me up-to-date with developments.

My research at Sidney compared the curriculum of secondary schools in Canada, Germany and France. I had previously visited a Gesamtschule and Gymnasium in Hessen, a Collège and two Lycées in Normandy, and was able to reßect on the organisation and structure of these establishments. Following my period of residence I visited North Toronto Collegiate (a specialist music college) and Woodstock High School in New Brunswick. During the latter visit, supported by the British Council, I was asked to lead INSET courses in classroom management and experiential learning. It proved to be a most rewarding experience as we were also able to participate in overland skiing (part of the curriculum!) and visit a maple-syrup farm on the border with the USA. The overall impression was of a wide variety of practice, with almost imperceptible differences in outcome. Assessment systems at 16 and 18 relied much more on teachers’ judgement of students’ progress than was usual in Britain. There was no national system of examinations, externally administered and assessed, to compare with ours. Neither was

there national testing at all Key Stages, OFSTED, or the ten-subject National Curriculum being established in England and Wales at that time. By contrast, schools appeared to be much more accountable to LEAs, without the Þnancial freedom or autonomous governance enjoyed by state schools in England and Wales.

Developments in England and Wales since then reßect successful practices on the continent and in Canada at that time. Schools can now introduce a higher degree of specialism at Key Stage 4. For example, at Woodkirk High School we have used this initiative to disapply students from Technology and Modern Languages and to set up specialist studies in statistics and ICT. Post-16 courses introduced nationally in September 2000 reßect the broader four or Þve subjects and vocational strands which were features of the continental systems at the time of my research.

There is no doubt that my period of study at the College enhanced my knowledge of the curriculum, and provided a degree of detachment and breadth of vision, which contributed to being appointed to my current post as head of a large urban comprehensive school with nearly 1800 students.

During my Fellowship, I was particularly grateful for the companionship and friendship of students, Fellows and the Master. A warm welcome, opportunities for stimulating discourse and good food are always appreciated when my family and I return to the College. This valuable contact provides a refreshing change from the intensity of life in state education.

P. A. Bailey, Schoolteacher Fellow Commoner Lent 1993

From the New Chairman of the Sidney Sussex Society Dear Members of Sidney, On becoming Chairman at the end of last year, my Þrst thought was how best to build on the outstanding contribution of Mike Phillips, who led the Society from its start-up four years ago to the lively organization we have today. So I have been talking to as many people as possible, including the Master, Committee members, and many Sidney alumni. I’d be delighted to hear more views from any of you, so my e-mail address is at the end of this letter.

Do please get in touch.

One of the Þrst things to become apparent is that those attending our events thoroughly enjoy them, and many of you have now become ‘regulars’, which is great. But, perhaps understandably, many more of you are still not entirely sure what the Society is, or what it does. Some of you have asked me what was there before. The answer is, nothing! This is the gap which the Society is trying to Þll.

Every graduate member of Sidney is automatically a member of the Society, and our aims are simple — to provide a means whereby members of the College can keep in touch with each other and meet more regularly than, say, every ten years at a Commem.

Dinner, and secondly to provide a means for members to retain on-going links with the College.

An excellent example of this was the recent Summer Event [see next page]. Over 100 people enjoyed partaking in a very varied programme, as well as meeting old friends.

There were talks from two outstanding Sidney scientists, Gabriel Horn and Tom Blundell on some of the key scientiÞc issues of the day, tours of the gardens and the College silver, a recital by former members of the choir, and a dinner for those who wanted to stay on.

Patrick Garland. A new event that has proved very popular has been the MA Dinner, organized by those returning for their MA or other degree. The younger generation are starting to organize informal and inexpensive get-togethers through building e-mail contact lists. So, as you can see, there’s a lot going on.

Talking with the Master, it is clear that the College is very enthusiastic about the Society and all that it is setting out to do. In particular, it is appreciative of the initiative taken by the Society in supporting the Applications Project run by Richard Partington to encourage applicants from a wider range of schools. We, in turn, have much appreciated the Master and many Fellows attending our events.

Where do we go from here? Our aim is to do more to promote relationships between Sidney members, and between members and the College, for all of you who would enjoy participating. To this end, we shall be looking to Þnd year representatives, especially recent graduates, to spread the word among contemporaries, and perhaps come to events as a group.

Do get in touch. Better still, turn up! Next year’s events will be promoted in the Annual and Pheon, so look out for them.

Best wishes, Peter Lipscomb (lipscomb@dialstart.net)

Other events have included dinners in London in the winter, and of course the continuation of the annual cocktail party in the Middle Temple which has been run for so many years by

Peter Lipscomb (1959)

Thinking ahead – Sidney Christmas Cards If you are an early planner, you might wish to order your Sidney Sussex Christmas cards now! Otherwise, this form can be returned to the College at any time before Christmas 2001. We are offering three designs, available in packs of Þve with envelopes. The inside text reads “Season’s Greetings.”

NAME __________________________________________________________ ✩ The Master's Garden under light snow card size 4” x 6”

MAILING ADDRESS ______________________________________________ _____________________________________ PHONE ___________________ Please send me the following: Card

Number of Packs

The Master’s Garden under light snow Annunciation and Stella Maris

✩ The Annunciation and Stella Maris from the Lady Chapel card size 4” x 6”

Price per pack

UK postage and packing*

Total

Pack of 5 cards—£4 Please add: 1 PACK—60p 5 PACKS—£2.00 10 PACKS—£3.50

Tree of Jesse

TOTAL * Notice to Sidney Members living overseas—please pay the listed price including UK postage and packing, and we will invoice you for any additional cost.

I enclose payment of __________________, as follows: My cheque payable to Sidney Sussex College is attached I would like to pay by credit card. Please charge my:

✩ Tree of Jesse (illustration from the Sidney Sussex Bible, English, 1260s) card size 4” x 6”

VISA Mastercard Eurocard Delta JCB card

Card # Expiry Date Name as it appears on card _________________________________ Signature __________________________________ Date ________________

Please return this form to the Membership & Development OfÞce, Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge CB2 3HU. Telephone: 01223-338881, Fax: 01223-338884

Sidney Sussex Society London Dinner, 9th February 2001 The Sidney Sussex Society’s very successful London dinner this year took place at the Royal Air Force Club in Piccadilly, where groups of Sidney friends mingled with College guests and enjoyed delicious food in a striking and beautiful setting. The next London dinner will be held on 8 March 2002.

Summer Event 2001 The Sidney Sussex Society’s Summer Event took place on Saturday 7th July, while Tim Henman was sitting helplessly on the sidelines at Wimbledon waiting for his match with Goran Ivanisevic to resume. The weather was kinder to the Summer Event. We had a rainstorm beforehand which swept away the worst of the sultriness that had gripped Cambridge earlier in the week, and those who weren’t put off by the occasional drizzle had an excellent day, lunching in Hall and attending a splendid variety of events.

These included talks by two of Sidney’s most distinguished Fellows: • Former Master, Prof. Gabriel Horn, Head of the Cambridge Department of Zoology 19781993, spoke about ‘Science and Public Policy’. He now chairs the Core Committee of the University Government Policy Programme and is writing a report on the origins of BSE. He described both the unparalleled progress that scientiÞc discoveries have made possible and the increasing uncertainties that face policy makers almost as a direct result, citing issues such as cloning, diet and health, information technology and the implications of increased human longevity.

• Sir Tom Blundell, Sir William Dunn Professor of Biochemistry at Cambridge, spoke on ‘Advising Government on Science and the Environment’. Tom, a member of the Advisory Committee of the Parliamentary OfÞce for Science and Technology, discussed how scientists (often thought to be concerned only with establishing certainty) and government interact to deal with uncertainty in areas of public policy such as nuclear power, foot & mouth disease and global warming. He did not say that governments take the credit for successes and blame advisers when things go wrong, but managing the relationship is clearly not easy even with goodwill on both sides.

Members were also treated to a display of College silver, a guided tour of the gardens, and an informal concert in the Chapel. The Event ended, for those who stayed the course, with an excellent dinner in the Mong Building.

• The Membership and Development OfÞce maintains a list of all College Members wishing to receive invitations and reminders about Sidney Sussex Society events. To add your name to this mailing list, please contact Wendy Hedley on 01223-338881 or wah21@hermes.cam.ac.uk

Making it easier to make a gift Although it has not been widely publicised, one of the new methods of tax-efÞcient giving offers remarkable savings and advantages to College donors.

The Chairman of the Society

Since April 2000, the transfer of shares has qualiÞed for both income tax relief and capital gains tax relief. What this means in practical terms is that the cost of a gift of listed shares, unit trusts or securities could be only 20%–40% of its real value to the College.

For a copy of the College’s new booklet Benefactions, which describes these and other tax-efÞcient giving options, please contact Zoe Swenson-Wright on 01223-338864 or via email at zs205@cam.ac.uk

The Master

For younger Sidney Members in or near London A group of recent Sidney graduates now meets for drinks at various London venues several times a year. These get-togethers maintain an informal feel and are generally held on a Friday evening. All Sidney Members are most welcome, as are suggestions for locations and excuses for meeting up! If you are within reach of London and would like to be involved, please contact Stephen Carter (1992) at stephen.carter@astburymarsden.co.uk or on 07768-065202.

Forthcoming Events A full list of forthcoming events appears on the front page of this issue of Pheon. In particular, please note the Reunion Dinner planned for all Sidney medical graduates in February 2002. To register your interest, please contact the Membership & Development OfÞce.

Commemoration Dinners — a new schedule During the recent telephone campaign, many Members asked for details of forthcoming Commems.

In years past it was usual to invite members to Commems at an average rate of once every seven years. The expanding size of individual year-groups and the limited seating capacity in Hall forced this frequency to decrease, such that each Member now receives an invitation roughly once every ten years.

The College very much wishes to keep in touch with its members and aims to restore the frequency of once every seven years. Yeargroups have already been chosen for the Commems in 2001, 2002 and 2003, but the new schedule will be applied from 2004. It may prove possible to introduce the adjustments earlier; details will be found in this year’s edition of the Annual.

• Up-to-date information about forthcoming Society events is also available via the Sidney Sussex College website at http://www.sid.cam.ac.uk /alumni/sss/sss.html

John Dymond With sadness we record the death, in September 2000, of John Dymond (1959).

John served, for all too short a time, on the Society Committee. His good humour and good counsel are greatly missed.

You may have seen this picture before, since it featured on the front page of the Times following the recent state opening of Parliament by Her Majesty the Queen. It caused great amusement in the College because it shows one of our Porters, John Spelzini, in a mode not often seen by his colleagues, who were able to tease him about what he was looking at while the other Yeomen were watching the Queen’s helicopter ßy overhead. But you don’t become a Yeoman of the Guard without being the soul of discretion, and John has kept his secret. John has been a member of the Guard for four years (after serving 25 years in the Royal Engineers) and is required to attend on Her Majesty a minimum of six times a year at investitures, royal garden parties and similar events.

Yeoman of the College

Colledge Goods The pieces described here by our archivist Nicholas Rogers are among the ‘Colledge Goods’ listed in the earliest Master’s inventory, of 1639, and have been seen (if only from afar) by most Members at dinners in College.

Pass it on…

hunting in a joint portrait of 1603 by Robert Peake, now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Although Sir John did not take a degree, he was reputed to be a good linguist and well read in logic and philosophy. The letters in French and Latin which he wrote to Prince Henry during his travels in the Low Countries and Italy in 1608-09 give some hint of his intellectual promise. He succeeded his father in 1613 but died at Kew, at the early age of 21, on 27 February 1614. Shortly before his death he wrote to the Master, Samuel Ward, apologising for his delay in sending a donation to the College. In 1617 his mother and sister presented the major part of his library, consisting of 245 books, to Sidney.

Because of the loss of virtually all the royal plate during the Civil War, the only comparable surviving items of this quality are among the gifts of James I and Charles I to Tsar Mikhail Romanov, now in the Moscow Kremlin Armoury Museum. Both ewer and basin are decorated with rocaille ornament and sea creatures based on engravings by Adrian Collaert. Unlike most of the embassy gifts, which are ‘second-hand’ pieces of silver, they appear to have been made especially for presentation. Both bear London hallmarks for 1606/7 and the maker’s mark ‘RW’, probably that of Sir Ralph Warren. The arms on the central boss of the basin are: Quarterly, 1 and 4, [Sable] a fret [argent] (Harington), 2 and 3, [Argent] two thigh bones in saltire [sable] between four pears [or] within a bordure engrailed [sable] (Kelway). The crest is a lion’s head erased [or] collared with a buckled belt [gules]. The arms of Harington impaling Kelway can be seen on a cushion in the fulllength portrait of John’s mother Anne in the robes of a baroness (formerly falsely identiÞed as Queen Elizabeth), now in the Swedish royal collection. Towards the end of her life the impoverished Lady Harington went to Germany to serve as lady-in-waiting to her former lodger, the Princess Elizabeth, now Electress Palatine, and the direct ancestress of Her Majesty the Queen. So those fortunate enough to use the Harington basin and ewer at College feasts and commemoration dinners touch not only College but also national history.

Rosewater basin

Without doubt the most spectacular pieces of plate in the College collection are the silver-gilt rosewater ewer and basin given to Sidney when Sir John Harington, later 2nd Baron Harington of Exton, was admitted as a Fellow Commoner in 1607. At a time when forks were not in common use hand-washing was a very necessary part of civilised eating, and a ewer and basin were essential items of table plate. In Oxford and Cambridge colleges, which have preserved the old ceremonial of dining (though not former modes of eating), ewers and basins are often the most prestigious items of silver.

Nicholas Rogers Rosewater ewer (detail)

Joanne Coulson (2000) will be Captain of the University Women’s Volleyball team next year.

The team not only won the Varsity Match this year, but took silver in the British Universities Championships. The season ended with news of qualiÞcation to represent Great Britain in the European Student Championships in Belgrade this September. The team seeks Þnancial support for this tournament; details from Joanne at jec61@hermes.cam.ac.uk Monika Bobinska (1980), Director of the Tart Gallery, London, reports that another Sidneian, John Roberts (1977) will be curator of “MultiStory” at the Gallery 16 July to 5 August 2001.

John’s own drawings also feature in this art exhibition. Monika can be contacted on 020 8211 0958 or monikab@talk21.com John Madden (1967), noted for ‘Shakespeare in Love’, has again been in the Þlm news for directing ‘Captain Corelli’s Mandolin’. We hope to hear from John himself in the next issue.

Timothy Stunt (1960) has written of his time at Cambridge and in particular of the debt he owes to Otto Smail, Derek Beales and David Thomson at Sidney. As a student in the UL he started research which has, after some 40 years, born fruit in his book ‘From Awakening to Secession: Radical Evangelicals in Switzerland and Britain 1815 to 1835’ (Edinburgh: Clark, 2000). Timothy’s career has been in schoolteaching and he currently lives in Connecticut.

If any College Member is willing to offer advice or assistance to fellow College Members and would like to publish details in Pheon, please write to the Editor with the relevant information.

The Harington ewer and basin were undoubtedly intended to serve as a perpetual memorial of the family, unlike most customary donations of plate by Fellow Commoners. Sir John’s father, John, 1st Baron Harington of Exton (c. 1540-1613) was, as the Foundress’s nephew and one of her executors, essential in turning her intention into reality. He was a generous donor to Sidney, giving, among other things, the manor of Saleby in Lincolnshire. He was in favour with James I, who created him Baron Harington of Exton on his accession, and appointed him and his wife, Anne Kelway, to look after his daughter the Princess Elizabeth.

This troublesome charge led Baron Harington into debt, which he was attempting to clear by means of a monopoly in the coining of copper farthings at the time of his death. John, the only surviving son of Sir John and Lady Anne, was born at the Haringtons’ house, Combe Abbey, near Coventry, and baptised at Stepney on 3 May 1592. He became a close friend of Henry, Prince of Wales, and they are shown together stag-

Pheon aims to keep Members of Sidney Sussex informed about their College and about each other. Articles and photographs will be most welcome; they should be forwarded to: Dr A. L. Greer The Editor, Pheon Sidney Sussex College Cambridge CB2 3HU Tel: 01223 334308 Fax: 01223 338884 E-mail: alg13@cam.ac.uk

Items from our Catalogue

NAME __________________________________________________________

In Þrst year of the new century, new pieces of pewter in the Sidney Sussex collection include napkin rings and coasters, designed to coordinate with the College pewter plate and tankard. All are produced by Edwin Blyde & Co., a Þrm that has designed original pieces in pewter since 1798. For a complete catalogue of gifts and mementos, please contact the Membership and Development ofÞce on 01223–338881 or wah20@hermes.cam.ac.uk

_____________________________________ PHONE ___________________ Please send me the following items: Item Number of Items Price per item UK postage and packing* Total

MAILING ADDRESS ______________________________________________

ordered

Napkin ring

£16.50 for one £31 for two £15 each for three or more £12 for one £22 for two £10 each for three or more

Coaster

UK Postage & packing included in purchase price UK Postage & packing included in purchase price

TOTAL * Pewterware is made to order and sent directly from the manufacturers. Please allow at least six weeks for UK delivery.

If you are living overseas, please pay the listed price including UK postage and packing and we will invoice you for any additional cost.

I enclose payment of __________________, as follows: My cheque payable to Sidney Sussex College is attached I would like to pay by credit card. Please charge my: VISA Mastercard Eurocard Delta JCB card

Card # Expiry Date Name as it appears on card _________________________________ Signature __________________________________ Date ________________

Please return this form to the Membership & Development OfÞce, Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge CB2 3HU. Telephone: 01223-338881, Fax: 01223-338884

The Fellows’ garden from the Senior Combination Room

PH E O N THE SIDNEY SUSSEX NEWSLETTER

The Linnett Visiting Professorship Bill Jones, Director of Studies in Natural Sciences, explains why Sidney has the privilege of receiving annually some particularly distinguished scientiÞc visitors — The John Wilfred Linnett Visiting Professorship of Chemistry was established in 1985. A renowned Professor of Physical Chemistry, Jack Linnett became 22nd Master of Sidney in 1970 and Vice-Chancellor of the University 1973-5.

Tragically, he died in ofÞce in November 1975.

Chemists can be extremely proud of what has been achieved, and can look forward to welcoming many more Linnett Professors of international renown in years to come.

W. Jones (Fellow, 1980)

Linnett Professors — so far have been: 1994 – Gabor A. Somorjai, U C Berkeley 1995 – Edward W. Schlag, TU Munich 1996 – Rudolf A. Marcus, CalTech (Nobel, 1992, chemistry) 1997 – John A. Pople, Northwestern Univ.

(Nobel, 1998, chemistry) 1998 – C.N.R. Rao, IISc, Bangalore 1999 – Michael L. Klein, Univ. Pennsylvania 2000 – John T. Yates, Univ. Pittsburgh Jack Linnett as Vice Chancellor with the 1975 Rede Lecturer, Alistair Cooke The Linnett Professorship, which carries a Visiting Fellowship at Sidney, has evolved into one of Cambridge’s most prestigious visiting appointments. Since 1994, seven distinguished physical chemists, including two Nobel Prize winners, have come to Sidney for up to a month. The Linnett Professor’s own research interests are the focus of a series of colloquia primarily for those in the Chemistry Department. But, importantly, the visitor must also give a public lecture appropriate for scientists generally.

The presence of the Linnett Professor stimulates new ideas and promotes cross-fertilisation. In 1996, for example, the College hosted Nobel Laureate Rudolph A. Marcus, from the California Institute of Technology. Although working in a quite different area of physical chemistry, a couple of my students gained enormously from the chance to discuss their ideas with him and as a result view their work in a different and beneÞcial manner.

In 2001, Sidney Sussex will welcome a third Nobel Laureate as Linnett Professor, PierreGilles de Gennes, a French chemist and physicist of great eminence. His visit will undoubtedly be of interest well beyond the Chemistry Department, attracting physicists, and materials scientists as well as mathematicians.

Sidney’s association with the Professorship goes beyond the link through Jack Linnett himself. The College and Cambridge University have received generous legacies from the late John Agar, Fellow of Sidney (1950) and Reader in Physical Chemistry, and his wife Delia, herself a Fellow of Newnham.

One of their primary interests was to ensure the expansion and further strengthening of the Linnett Visiting Professorship. Sidney

2001 – Pierre-Gilles de Gennes, ESPCI, Paris (Nobel, 1991, physics)

Do Nobel things, not dream them As Bill Jones has noted above, Sidney has gained enormously from the contributions of the Linnett Visiting Professors. But the Linnett Professorship is far from the College’s only link with things Nobel. We beneÞt greatly from our association with Sir John Walker, who in 1997, the year in which he became a Fellow of the College, was co-winner of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his work on enzymes and the conversion of ATP. At the time Pheon noted that Sidney chemists had yet to catch up with their physicist rivals, C.T.R. Wilson (prize in Physics in 1927 for his work on the cloud chamber) and Cecil Powell (1950, for the discovery of the pion). We can now note with pride the achievements of Professor Alan MacDiarmid (Sidney Sussex, 1952) who is a co-winner of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry this year.

Professor MacDiarmid, now at the University of Pennsylvania, works in Materials Chemistry, an area of fundamental and practical interest.

His work on conducting plastics has had wideranging consequences in the everyday world.

Semiconducting polymers, for example, have recently been exploited in light-emitting diodes and solar cells and as displays in mobile telephones and mini-format television screens.

Research in this area is currently very active within the Chemistry and Physics Departments in Cambridge.

As for parity with the physicists, it seems this may not yet have been achieved. Our latest researches reveal that Martin Ryle, co-winner of the Nobel prize in Physics in 1974 (for his work on radio astronomy), was also a Sidney member (1945). So work yet for the chemists to do!

Farewell to John Thornely The College took its farewell of John Thornely in a service of thanksgiving and reßection at the University Church, Great St Mary’s, on Saturday 18 November. Among the many present were all John’s children and grandchildren, the Master and a large number of College Fellows, senior members of the Cambridge Law Faculty, and, perhaps most numerous of all, former pupils who spanned John’s 37-year teaching career at Sidney.

During the service a kilted Alexis Thornely, one of the grandchildren, played a musical tribute on the bagpipes from the organ loft.

The Hon. Sir Patrick Garland, one of Þve Þrstyear law students John found waiting for him when he arrived at Sidney in 1948, gave a moving oration that would undoubtedly have embarrassed John had he known of its contents, since it so accurately captured his modesty, integrity, commitment and, to all he came into contact with, his unfailing generosity. Also a man of quiet humour “who treated the Inland Revenue’s request ‘please afÞx stamp’ as a request not an instruction”. “He served his College and University in full measure, pressed down and running over.”

The retiring collection was taken in support of the J.W.A. Thornely Fellowship in Law that the College plans to establish as a permanent tribute to the man who put Sidney on the map of Cambridge law teaching. A brochure on the Thornely Fund is included with this issue.

As Pheon goes to press, we have the sad news that John’s widow Amoret has passed away.

James Chew On Saturday 25th November 2000 the Memorial Service for James Chew (1996) had the College Chapel so short of space that the choir had to be stationed in the organ loft.

Many readers will have heard the national news coverage in July of the loss, in unexplained circumstances, of the yacht Tuila en route from the Netherlands to England. The bodies of all four on board have now been recovered — the skipper and three Cambridge students of whom James was one. Several members of College attended the funeral in August at James’ parish church at Wysall, Notts. Strikingly, this included an RAF ßy-past, setting a theme which was picked up in the Memorial Service at Sidney — James’s great zest for life. His participation in the University Air Squadron was but one aspect of a taste for adventure, which in no way inhibited his high academic achievements. James was an undergraduate in Natural Sciences at the College and had just completed a successful Þrst year of research towards a Ph.D. in Pharmacology. The memorial service was notable not only for the numbers attending, but also for the range of constituencies represented — family, neighbours, College, University Department and Air Squadron among others. Tributes to James were offered by W.Cdr David Calvert of

13

ISSUE THIRTEEN January 2001

CONTENTS New Donations ........................................2 Summer Event 2000 ...............................3 Calling all choristers for 2001! .............3 Borneo byways........................................4 Elementary before Watson ....................4 Music and Arts Fund .............................4

2001 Diary Dates 9th February

London Dinner

12th May

MA Graduation Dinner

7th July

Sidney Sussex Society Summer Event

Commemoration of Benefactors* — 30th June for those coming up in the years 1958 - 1960 22nd September for those coming up in the years 1988 - 1989 * Please contact the Admissions OfÞce (01223 338844) for further details

the Air Squadron, Dr Peter Richardson (Fellow, 1991) of Sidney and James’ research supervisor in the Pharmacology Department, girlfriend Emma Parker, Kevin Rourke (1996) and James’s father Peter. Lessons were read by the Master and by Catherine Head (1996). After the service a bench (from the Parker family) was dedicated to James in the College garden.

Those wishing to contribute to the James Chew Memorial Fund should send donations to the Bursar. (Cheques should be made payable to Sidney Sussex College.)

James Chew on travels down under

NEW DONATIONS TO THE COLLEGE THANK YOU to all those Members and Friends of Sidney Sussex who have generously supported the College between 1 July 1998 and 30 June 2000. Gifts received recently, on or after 1 July 2000, will be acknowledged in a future issue of Pheon.

Those listed here have made gifts or signiÞcant pledges in support of a wide range of projects, including the Annual Fund, the JWA Thornely Fellowship, the Roger Andrew Fund, and the Derek Beales History Fund. Some donors have created new scholarship funds, while others have assisted the Library, Chapel, College gardens or a student society. Sidney is a vigorous and varied community, and all gifts are valued deeply. Thanks are due also to those donors who have requested anonymity.

As always, particular thanks are due to the Directors of the Sidney Sussex Foundation and the American Friends of Cambridge University (now Cambridge in America), two independent American foundations that have generously assisted the College for many years.

Rev’d O R Acworth Mr M J Adey The Estate of Mrs D M Agar Chief R Akinjide Mr A Akinjide Professor J W Allen Mr M J Allen Mr P W Allen Mr A G Allister Mr I P Allnutt, OBE Mr P W Allwright Mr M H J Alsteens, Mr and Mrs J C Ambrose American Friends of Cambridge University Andersen Consulting Foundation (Mr P Cartwright) Mr J V R Anderson, OBE DL Mr C V Andrew Mr K Andrews Mr P G Andrews Mr R M J Andrews The Estate of Mr G C Andrews, C de G Mr G R Angell Mr R A Angier The Very Rev’d J R Arnold Dr R F Ashwin Mrs D E Aston-James Professor A C Atkinson Mr L Atkinson Mr A E Bailey Dr V J Baker Mr C H Balch Dr J N Ball Dr P J Ball Mr R G Ballard Dr J H Bamberg Mr G G Bannerman Mr D P Bannister Mr R A Barber Mr J H Barker Mr M W R Barraclough Mr J P Barton Mr S F Barton Mr J P Barton Mr T J R Barty Professor J G Basker Mr D Bassett Mr J A B Bayliss Mr M W E Bayliss Sir T Beckett, KBE DL Dr J F Bell Mr J M M Bell Mr G Bellerby, DFC Dr R B Bennet Lt-Colonel N W Beswick Dr S A Bew Mrs C L Bewick Professor B C Bickerton Dr J Biggs Professor D E Blackwell Mr D M Blake Professor Sir T L Blundell Mr A N Bolsom Professor H R Bolton Mr D C Bolton Mr K L T G Bond Mrs J M Bonnett Mr V G F Bovenizer, CMG Sir J D R Bradbeer, OBE Rev’d A J Braddock Mr J R Bradescu Mr W R Bradford Mr C M N Bradford Mr S Bragg

Rev’d G Braund Mr F S Brazier Mr D V Brereton Mr P A Brereton Mr P M Bricknell The Rt Hon the Lord A Briggs Dr D E G Briggs Mr J Bristol Mr R G Broadie Mr J Brock Dr S G Brook Dr L Broughton Dr A Brown Mr A T Brown CBE DL Dr M W Brown Mr H D Bryan, OBE Mr J H Bryson Dr J F Buchan Mr G W Buckley Mr R Bugler Mr A M Burgess The Hon Mr Justice A N L ButterÞeld, QC Mr D E ButterÞeld Mr P J H Byk Mr A J F Caie Mrs C L Calderwood Mr H F Cameron, MC TD Colonel M J A Campbell, MC MBE Mr W M Carey Professor K J Carpenter Dr L J Carter Mr N F Carter Dr A T Casey Mr B M D Cassidy Dr M W Cemlyn-Jones Mr C L Champion Mr E J Chandler Mr T C Cheng Mr D W Chesterman Mr W G E Chilton Dr R J Chisnall Ms K Choi Mr and Mrs W Chung Dr B R Clapp Mr P J Clare Mr A M R Clarke Dr C J Clarke Mr I C K Clarke Dr T J Clarke Mr J H Clement Mr L P Cleminson Mr G Cleminson Dr E Clow Mr and Mrs D C Cohen Mr J R Collis Mrs S Collison Mr R B Colman Mr S R Coltman Mr A G T Cooper Mr R B Cooper Mr R J Copley Mr S P Cotton Mr F D Cousin Mr R A Coward Mr C N Cowling Professor Sir A Cox Professor T M Cox Mr R A Crabb Sir J W Crofton Professor D W T Crompton Mr E F M Cross Mr M J Cross Mr E P Crowdy, VRD Mr P Cruttenden Professor R T Curtis D & L Packard Foundation Mr G Darby

Miss S L Darke Mrs H C Dauris Mr M G Davies Mr D G Davis Mr J D Davis Mr J M Davis Mr and Mrs M I Dawes Commander D Dawson Taylor Mr D E De Saxe Mr and Mrs L De Vrey Mr S Degnarain The Delamere Trust Mrs M Dibden Dr S Dilmaghanian Dr R J L Disney Dr J B Dixon Mr K S Doman Professor A P Dowling Dr A L Downing Mr C M Drukker Mr J E Drummond Young, QC Mr H H I Easterling Mr G J Edwards Ms L C Edwards Mrs J E Eggleston Mr C E Eickhoff The Estate of Mr J Elenor Mr A G Ellis Mr and Mrs R Emery Ms A Emmans Dean Mr E R Espenhahn Mr E W Espenhahn Mr N O Essex Mr J G Evans Ms S V Falk Miss M A Farlow Mr B E Farr His Honour Judge E J Faulks Mr M Fealy Mr C A K Fenn-Smith Ms M Fink Mr D N L Firth Ms J N Fisher Mr M D Ford, OBE Mr J Fordham Mr M B Forsyth Mr P G D Fox Professor A P French Mr K G Frey Mr H R Friend Dr H Fuchs Mr and Mrs T Furusawa Miss C J Gale Galloway & Porter Mr M Gammie Mr J W F Gardiner The Hon Sir P N Garland Mr G C Garlick Mr D G Garton Mr N D J Gaywood Mr J W Gibbon Dr I A S Gibson Mrs S A Gibson Mr D R Gilbert, TD Mr P A Gilbert Mr R Gilbert Mr A J Gilderson Mr G M Gill Mr R C Goat Dr P J Goddard Dr N Godwin Mr C C E Golis Mr R C W Gooch His Honour Judge M B Goodman Dr G H Gorrie Mr J A Gosden

Mr D J Gradwell Mr M J Grainger Mr A S Grant Mr D R Gray Mr N D F Gray Mr E T Green Mr M S Green Dr P C Green Mr T P Green Mr J N GrifÞn Mr D H GrifÞths, OBE Dr M L P Gross Mr K J Gundry Mr G R Gunson Mr E A HadÞeld Mr D C Haigh Mr and Mrs K Haith Mr D Haley Dr K S Hall Mr R L Hall Mr J S Hall Mr M H K Hamer Mr R M Hamilton Brigadier J R E HamiltonBaillie, MC Mr K J Hammond Mr W Hammond-Smith Mr W D Hardie Sir W G Harris, CB KBE Mr B Harrison Mr C M H Harrison Mr J A Harrison Professor J M Harrison Mr S C W Harrison Mr R L C Hartley, QC Mr D A Haxby Mr D N Hayes Mr J Healy SC Mr R G Heaney Mr L Heller Professor A H Henderson Professor P J F Henderson Sir James Hennessy KBE CMG Mr F C Herd Rev’d Professor A I C Heron Mr N Heroys Mr C F Herzberg Mr D R Hester Mr R E Hildrew Mr R J Hill Mr C J Hilton Mr G W Hirst Professor M Hobsley Mrs C L Hocking Mr R W Holland Mr D W Honour Mr K Hopper Mr J H M Horne The Hortemur Charitable Trust Mr D Houghton Mr H H Houghton Mr G P A Howe Mr D I Howie Mrs S Howley Mr J B Hoyle Mr A J R Hudson Mr D B Hughes Mr G B C Hughes Mr T B Hughes Hui Yeung Shing Memorial Foundation Mr D J Humphrey Mr D D Humphreys Mr J S Hurst Dr L V Illing Mr M F Illing The Very Rev’d J M Irvine Dr D R Ives Mr & Mrs K O Jaiser Professor G D James Mr J B James Mr J M Jarman Mr R F Jeays Mr S K Jeevan Mr J C Jeffery Mr J A Jefkins Mrs A A Jellicoe Professor D A Jenkins Dr C M P Johnson Mr F B Johnson Mr K C Johnson Mr T A Johnson Mr J C W Jolleys Mr D R P Jolly Dr J H Jones Miss S E Jones Mr R M Joy Mr B H Kavanagh Dr J R Kemm Mr N E Kempton Mr P D Kennerley Professor J T Kent

Mr R C Kernick Mr C T K Khoo Dr B A Kilby Mr K Knell Mr A W J Knight Dr D J Knight Mr and Mrs P G Knight Mr R M Knight Mr and Mrs J S Kos Mr T Kreule Professor J J Lagowski Mr & Mrs S Laitner Mrs M Laitner Mr E D Lakin Dr L C Laming Mr A H Lancashire Dr R Lancaster The Rt Hon Lord Lang of Monkton, PC DL Mr C P Larkum Mr & Mrs G C M Latham Miss F M P Lauder Mr T G Lawrence Mr A S Lawson Dr C W Lawson Mr A T LawsonCruttenden Mr C C-Y Lee Dr E M Lee Professor A E Lee Six Mr M Lehman Professor S E Lehmberg Mr G M Levack Mr A G N Levy Mr C K Lim Sir J E F Lindsay, QC Mr P W Lipscomb Mr J D Livingston Booth, OBE Mrs M H Lloyd Mr S A Lloyd Mr S P Lloyd Mr N J Lock Rev’d D J Loewendahl Miss B E Lovett Mr I C Lowe Mr J S Lowry Mr N J S Luby Mr C C K Lucas Mr K F Luck Mr G M Luckraft The Rt Hon the Lord Stevens of Ludgate Mr B G Luker Mr P G Lymbery Mr M A F LyndonStanford, QC Mr P J MacBean Ms K C E Macintyre Dr A I MacLeod The Rev’d A MacNaughton His Honour Justice J C MacPherson Mr and Mrs A G Maddock Mr C A Malam Mr R V Mallinson Mr T G Mallinson Mr P W Marcuse Dr A C F Margerison Mr C G Marks Mr and Mrs D R Marshall Mr M J Mason-Jones Mr J Maurice Mr W K McCarter Mr R H McClean Miss M T McDermott His Honour D L McDonnell, OBE Dr P G McHugh Mr D B McKenna Mr D B McLean Mr W N McLean Dr P M McLellan Mr J W McNeill Mr W J Medlicott Mr R A Menzies Professor A Mercer Dr J C Metcalfe Dr H C Middleton Mr G S Mieville The Very Rev’d R L P Milburn Professor J M Miller Dr J B B Milne Ms K J Minogue Mr G B Mitchell Rev’d J D Mitson Miss A L Mobbs Mr M J Mobbs Mr R V Moberly Mr N Moon Mr A R Moore Mr R T A Morgan Dr J Morris Mr R D Morrison

Miss H C Mortimer Mr S R Mostyn Mr G V R Moulding Mr and Mrs J E Moxon Mr F W Mumby Mr K S Munro Mr G S Murdoch, QC Mr S D Murphy Mrs A C Nairn Mr J H Nanson Mr Y A Nasr Mr P W Nettleton Dr J C Newell-Price Mr B M Newman The Nichol Young Foundation Mr C V Nicholls, QC Mr K Nicholson Dr A P Nisbet Professor H B Nisbet Dr W A Norman Mrs M Norman Mr R C North Professor D H Northcote Mr C F O’Connell Mr J P Oakley Mr S J Oliver Professor M L Orme Dr R C L’E Orme Mr N W M Orr Mr L R Packer Dr C H Page Professor B E J Pagel Mr and Mrs A S Palmer Mr T D Parker Mr R H Parkinson Mr M I W Passmore Dr N Peacock Dr D C Peddie Mr A J Peeler Dr J C T Pepperell Group Captain R S N Perry Mr B S Perryer Ms J C Persey Mr H J Pilling Mr D M Pittaway, QC Dr D E Pomeroy Mr J A Porter Professor D M Potts Mr V J G Power Mr A R Pratt Dr R S Pratt Mr R Price Lewis Mr N J Priestnall Mr D E Purchase Dr M Purshouse Dr R D Pyrah Dr P A M Raine Professor Sir Philip Randle Mr H T Randolph The Ratcliffe Foundation Mr A N Ratcliffe Mr N K Rawding Mr M S Rawlinson Mr T S Rawlinson Dr D J Reed Mr R A Rees Mr R P N Rees Mr P R C Reeves Dr J M Reid, OBE Mr K Reynolds Dr D E Rhodes The Rt Reverend J Richards Dr P J Richardson Mr P J R Riddell Mr G I Robb Mr D G M Roberts, CBE Mr H Robinson Mr E F Rogers Mr D G Rogers Dr R L Rolls Mr E Rosand Mr S A Ross The Estate of Mr D W Rowell Mr E N Rowley Mr A D Roy Dr J H B Roy Ms B L Ruane

Mr J M Rushton The Rt Rev’d J H G Ruston Mr and Mrs W H G Sadleir Mr R A Salmon Mr E J Salter Ms D E Samuels Mr D F Sanders Mr K G Sandford Mr S J Sauvain, QC Mr J S Savage Mr N B Saville Mr C P Sawers Professor G G Schram Professor HIGA SchwarzLiebermann Mr C D Scoble Mr E K Scott Mr E N Scott Mr J F Scott, CBE Mr J L Scott Mr G W Scott-Giles Professor F B Sear Professor G B Sear Mr H D Seccombe, CBE Dr J M W Sedgwick Mr D W Seeley Dr A Segal Mr C W J Seldon The Estate of Mr M Seymour Mr M W Shadforth Mr S Shah Professor C T Shaw, CBE Dr F D P Shaw Professor J H Shaw Mr A G Sheard Mr J A Shepherd Mr N E Shepherd Mr N J Shepherd Dr J E Siberry, OBE Sidney Sussex Foundation Mr D R W Silk, CBE Canon J L Simpson Mr C E Slater Mr B Sleight Mr D J Slimmon Mr N J H Small Mr E W Smart Mr D J Smith Mr D N Smith Mr E L Smith Mr I J Smith Mr J B Smith Dr M H Smith Mr M J Smith Dr A K L So Mr P J Somerville Dr I J Spalding Mr and Mrs D M Squire Mr J K Ssekiwanuka Dr R A Stanger Mr R E H Stanton Mr W A F P Steiner Lt-Colonel D R Stenhouse, MBE Mr I B M Stephen His Honour Judge L B Stephen Mr J G Stephens Mr D F Stephenson, MBE Mrs A C Stevens Professor I G Stewart Mr P Stirrup Professor Sir M G P Stoker, CBE Dr J Stoodley Mr D T Stott Mr R C G Strick Mr D M D Strong Dr J T Swain Mr R R S Swan Mrs Z Swenson-Wright Mr B Sykes Mr K Tachibana Professor A A Tarr Dr P J Tayler Mr M L Taylor Dr W I Taylor

Mr K R Teare Mr A G Temple The Newcomers’ Club Mr A J Thoelke Mr D E Thompson Miss K J Thompson Dr N R Thompson Mrs B K Thomsen Mrs M Thomson Mr J Thorne Mrs A Thornely Mr J W A Thornely Mr G A Thorp Mr M A Thorpe Dr D C Thrush Commander I P G Tibbitt Mr P N T Tibbitt Mr M Townsend Dr M S A Townsend Dr S H Trotter Mrs S A Tsangarides Mr K D Tuffnell Mr K Tugnait Mr L K Turner Mr R F Tyas, CBE Mr C A S Urquhart Mr M J Vanner Mr K I C Vincent Ms C J Vorderman Mr D L Walker Mr D J Walters Lt-Commander S G Walters Mr B M Waltham Dr W N Wang Mr S J Warrell Mr and Mrs P W Warren Mr and Mrs W R WaterÞeld Mr I P Waters Mr D J Way Mr J M Webb Mr E A Wells The Estate of Mr R V Wells Dr N C West Dr N J Westcott, CMG Mr J Van Weyenbergh Mr S Wheeler Dr C L Whitby Dr E L C White Mr I C White Mr J E G White Mr S C White Mr A G Whiteside Mr L M Whittle Mr R O L Wickham Mr and Mrs J S W Wielechowski Mr P H L Wightman Wing Commander A G Willenbruch Mr K R Wilkinson Professor M M Willcock Mr M R Willford Mr A J Williams Dr K L Williams Mr W G Williams Mr G H W Williamson Mr S W Williamson, QC His Honour Judge H Wilson Mr W S Witts Mr G H C Wong Mr A D Wood Mr R T Wood The Estate of Mr J P Wood The Rev’d W H Woodhouse Mr K J Woodrow Mr D J Woods Mr S A Woolfries Mr A J L Worth Dr N Wright Mr and Mrs T Wyatt Mr P E Yorke The Estate of Mr R D Young Mr P S J Zatz Professor J S Ziegel

On behalf of everyone at Sidney Sussex, the Master and Fellows extend their warmest thanks to all who have taken such a strong personal interest in the well-being of the College.

A MAJOR NEW ENDOWMENT for music and arts in the College has been set up through the generosity of Sir Richard Powell (1927). See page 4 for details.

Sidney Sussex Society Mike Phillips Society, the means by which the objectives would be achieved, and the ways in which the achievements would be measured. Those who went into that meeting a little sceptical emerged full of enthusiasm, and the Society has never looked back. Mike was the natural choice to lead the new Society and he served Sidney members wonderfully as Chairman for all too short a period. He will be greatly missed.

College members will be greatly saddened to learn of the death of Mike Phillips (1963). Mike remained such an active Chairman of the Sidney Sussex Society that many who encountered him in that capacity in the last year of his life may have been quite unaware that he was also waging a personal Þght, with characteristic courage, against illness.

The idea for the Sidney Sussex Society came from Roger Andrew and Gabriel Horn, but Mike Phillips deserves the credit for turning the idea into reality. Bringing his management consultancy skills to bear, he organised a Saturday meeting in Sidney early in 1997 for a group of interested members at which he helped hammer out the aims and objectives of the

Our thoughts are with Jane, who always ably supported Mike at Society events. Mike’s funeral was held on 15 November 2000. With his usual attention to detail, Mike had arranged the details himself, and had even written a speech which was delivered on his behalf.

His obituary will appear in the Annual.

Come back to Sidney The Membership and Development OfÞce (H4 and H5, Chapel Court) has just been redecorated and enlarged. Freshly painted and spacious, with comfortable new armchairs, we hope it will prove more welcoming to College Members returning to Sidney for an event or private visit. Zoe Swenson-Wright and Wendy Hedley enjoy meeting Sidney Members and hope you will feel free to drop in for a coffee and a chat.

Summer Event 2000

Society Administrator Wendy Hedley and Membership & Development OfÞcer Zoe Swenson-Wright in their newly refurbished ofÞces There were two lectures at the event — High-Tech Firms in the Knowledge Economy by Alan Hughes (Fellow, 1973), Margaret Thatcher Professor of Enterprise Studies at the Judge Institute, which provoked particularly lively discussion; and Sherlock Holmes at Sidney Sussex College by Professor Richard Chorley (Fellow, 1962), for more on which see p. 4. Other features of this well populated day were: a buffet lunch in Hall; a guided tour of College portraits by Archivist Nicholas Rogers; an informal concert in Chapel, and dinner in the Mong Building.

There are many reasons and opportunities to come back to Sidney during the year. To make planning easier, here is an up-to-date list of your membership beneÞts: All Sidney Members are Members of the Sidney Sussex Society, which each year holds two main events — a dinner, usually in London, and a summer event in College. All Members are welcome to attend, with their partners and guests. This year’s dinner is on 9th February 2001, and the summer event will be on 7 July 2001.

Wendy Hedley and Maggie Edwards (Master’s Secretary) with College wares

Nicholas Rogers in action ▼

Choir Reunion at the Summer Event 2001 We’re planning a choir reunion at the Event this year. Former choir members — and indeed any of those at the Event who would like to sing — are invited to come along on the morning of July 7th. We’ll rehearse a short concert to be performed in the Chapel before dinner, and then we’ll be free to attend other college events in the afternoon. The programme is yet to be decided, but the conductor will be former organ scholar Laura Brown, née Todd (1982). These concerts have been greatly enjoyed by participants and audience in past years, so do come and join us.

If you’re interested, please notify Wendy Hedley on 01223 338881 (wah21@cam.ac.uk) letting her know whether you’re S, A, T or B.

The Master meets Members

Andrew Flewitt, newly appointed Secretary of the Society, and Professor Chorley

Society OfÞcers Peter Lipscomb (1959) succeeds Mike Phillips as Chairman. Peter has already been very active in Society affairs, notably masterminding the Þrst London Dinner at Brewers’ hall in 1998. In the last issue we noted that Clare Jackson was departing for Trinity Hall.

Andrew Flewitt (Fellow, 1999) takes over as Secretary; Andrew came to Sidney from — Trinity Hall.

We look forward to further such volleys with

Each matriculating class is invited back to the College for a Commemoration of Benefactors every ten years.

The College has three junior guest-rooms and two senior guest-rooms available for non-resident Members visiting Cambridge.

These are booked through the Housekeeper, Mrs Diana Mellows on 01223 338880 (dm244@cam.ac.uk); prices range from £18 to £31 per night (with breakfast for an extra £5.70). Rooms may not be booked for more than three nights.

Non-resident Members of the College have the right to dine free of charge three times a year during Full Term in each academic year, although not on Fridays during Full Term. For catering reasons, at least forty-eight hours’ notice should always be given. Members may, at their own expense, invite a guest at the discretion of the Vice-Master. For further details, please contact the Bursar’s Secretary, Mrs Angela Tovell: 01223 338814 (ajt33@cam.ac.uk).

Members can arrange to hold private dinners in College by contacting the Bursar’s Secretary, as above. At certain times of the year (not during exams) non-resident Members of College can reserve Cloister Court or the Fellows’ Garden for a private party. Do bear

in mind that the College is closed over Christmas, Easter and for two weeks in August. Arrangements can be made with the Bursar’s Secretary.

Out of term, Sidney provides excellent facilities for conferences and large events.

We have four comfortable, modern meeting rooms and audio-visual equipment for talks and presentations. We can arrange housing, meals and ofÞce space in College for conference organisers and participants. To discuss arrangements, please contact the Conference Manager, Mrs Rebecca Clarke on 01223 339703 (rc242@cam.ac.uk).

The Sidney Sussex Archive is open by appointment from 9:00 to 12:55 and 2:00 to 5:15 Monday to Friday. Contact the College Archivist, Nicholas Rogers on 01223 338824 (njr1002@cam.ac.uk) to research Sidney Sussex history, view a book or manuscript, or Þnd out more about an ancestor who attended the College. Nicholas would also be glad to receive copies of articles or books that you have written (or are featured in), as well as interesting photographs of yourself or the College. Please ’phone if you have questions about the sort of documents and information he collects for the Archive.

Members are welcome to use the College Library by contacting the Librarian, Mrs Heather Lane, on 01223 338852 (hel20@cam.ac.uk). If you plan to come for an extended period, it is helpful to give a few weeks notice, especially during the vacation.

For information please write to Heather for a Library Guide or visit the website (http://www.sid.cam.ac.uk/indepth/lib/ library.html).

Non-resident Members visiting the College can arrange to use the Computer Suite to prepare a document, send an e-mail message or surf the World Wide Web. Please contact the College Computer OfÞcer, Patrick Gates, on 01223 39520 (rpg23@cam.ac.uk) well in advance of your visit.

To plan for a wedding, christening or concert in the Chapel, please contact the Chaplain, the Revd Dr Keith Straughan on 01223 338870 (chaplain@sid.cam.ac.uk). To arrange the reception, please contact the Conference Manager, as above.

All College Members receive the College Annual and Pheon. If you move, please make sure to send your new address to the Membership and Development OfÞce: 01223 338864 (zs205@cam.ac.uk).

If what you want is not on this list, please contact Wendy (wah21@cam.ac.uk) or Zoe (zs205@cam.ac.uk), or drop by our ofÞce, Tel: 01223 338881.

LONDON DINNER: tickets may still be available for dinner on 9th February — ’phone Wendy Hedley on 01223-338881.

2001 SUMMER EVENT: for booking information, ’phone Wendy Hedley (as above) or visit the College website (http://www.sid.cam.ac.uk).

Borneo byways

Attention Medics!

As noted before in Pheon, Law Fellow Geoffrey Marston (1973) is well known not only for his academic pursuits but also for his travels.

Here he brings us another report.

At 13,455 feet, three times the height of Ben Nevis, Mount Kinabalu rises from what is left of the rain-forest of the Malaysian State of Sabah, once British North Borneo. Its Þrst recorded ascent was in 1851 by a colonial ofÞcial, Hugh Low, whose name was given both to its highest point and to Low’s Gully, the modestly-styled chasm which bisects its northern side and from which in 1994 part of a British Army expedition was helicoptered on the verge of starvation. The mountain is in a national park with its access regulated by restricted accommodation and compulsory guiding. After making the required bookings with the park’s agents in Sabah’s capital, Kota Kinabalu, I boarded a Sandakan-bound bus which passed the park entrance. The trip started inauspiciously when at a police checkpoint my taciturn neighbour, probably an Indonesian “illegal”, was taken off at gun-point. Dropping off at the park, which at 5,000 feet put me above the mosquito- and leech-infested jungle, I was directed to a bunkhouse which I shared with two Swedish females who had been scuba-diving at Sipadan. They listened with polite disinterest as I told them that there was presently a sovereignty dispute between Malaysia and Indonesia over this island pending before the International Court of Justice at The Hague. A few days later Sipadan became notorious through a mass kidnap of foreign tourists by rebels from the Philippines.

The next morning at 7.30, having signed indemnity forms and taken out compulsory insurance, I was assigned my guide, one Taradas, who told me that he had worked on the mountain for 30 years, climbing it about twice a week. A man of few words, I never saw him eat or drink during our two days together; he preferred to smoke fetid yellow cigarettes of the local weed. The track Þrst heads up a jungly ridge, well benched with steps and even a handrail in places, an unnecessary luxury I thought at the time. The ßora is luxuriant, and includes the curious pitcher plant which digests whatever falls into it. Every kilometre or so is a shelter with a tank of drinking water. In mid-afternoon we arrived at the tree-line at 10,000 feet where stands the Laban Rata Resthouse, a substantial structure built as a goodwill gesture to Malaysia by British sappers probably from a kit dropped by helicopter. The Resthouse, which is heated and contains a cafeteria, is supplied by a relay of local tribesmen who stride up the track with enormous box-like loads. My assigned billet was in a less comfortable and unheated building, the Gunting Lagadan hut, about 300 feet above the Resthouse. Here I found more Swedes, this time male, including one with an attack of Cheyne-Stokes breathing which boded ill for a restful night. Taradas told me to be ready to leave

Before Watson We can get some ßavour at least of Professor Chorley’s talk at the 2000 Summer Event by reviewing the chronology of what has so far been researched about Sherlock Holmes’ life at Sidney Sussex: January 1871 Holmes interviewed for admission to read for the new Natural Sciences Tripos by the Tutor the Revd Mr J. C. Williams-Ellis, and met the Master, the Revd Dr Robert Phelps.

Michaelmas Term 1871 October Matriculated. In addition to compulsory mathematics, Holmes chose the Þrst 3 of the 5 sciences offered — chemistry

A Reunion Dinner for all Sidney medical graduates is planned for later this year. To register your interest, please contact the Membership and Development OfÞce (01223-338881 or wah21@cam.ac.uk).

Sidney’s Music and Arts Fund

for the summit at 2.30 a.m. in order to greet the sunrise. I told him to wake me at 5. He warned me that cloud tended to roll in just after sunrise and that I might miss the view. I recognised this risk from Mount Kenya days but still told him to wake me at 5. God, after all, is a Yorkshireman and would not let me down.

The noise of the others leaving at 2.30 and the rasping of the prostrate Cheyne-Stokes forced me up at 4.30. I gnawed at an indigestible “breakfast bar”, bought not a million miles from the Porters’ Lodge, swilled down a cup of cold water and set off upwards with Taradas illuminating the path with his torch. Immediately above the hut the track crosses the Panar Laban Rockface, the equivalent of the Rock Band on Everest. This is achieved by a series of near-vertical wooden ladders followed, when the incline eases, by a knotted rope up which one hauls oneself in a sort of reverse abseil. Dawn was breaking as we passed the Sayat Sayat hut at 12,000 feet, a primitive shelter for real climbers who were busy checking their ropes and slings. I was now on the summit plateau, an area of naked granite slabs across which a white rope snakes to indicate the path. An eyesore perhaps, but ecologically innocuous and a lifeline in cloud. The reduced oxygen level caused my legs not to respond to the brain’s wishes as I plodded with frequent pauses towards Low’s Peak. This is a triangular mound of tangled granite blocks at the northern end of the plateau. I could see the summit swarming with the 2.30 departees but by the time I arrived it was deserted. My faith was rewarded as the day was windless and mistless with the large buildings in Kota Kinabalu clearly visible 50 miles away. On the north side of the summit slab, protected by a metal railing, lies the 4000-foot vertical drop into Low’s Gully. To the south are serried ranges of hills stretching into Indonesian Kalimantan.

On the return path I met an elderly Japanese gentleman trying to scale the granite blocks assisted by acolytes pushing his ample posteriors. On seeing me he launched into a lengthy speech with a note of interrogation in it. Undertanding nothing, I nodded and smiled at suitable pauses and he seemed content. I hope that I did not unwittingly direct him into Low’s Gully! After a bowl of scalding Chinese soup in the Resthouse I started down the main track, all 5000 feet of it. After several hours of descent my knees turned to jelly forcing me to grip the handrail — whose utility I now appreciated — while side-stepping downwards like a senile crab. Finally I reached the park headquarters where I was given a illuminated certiÞcate (No. 259235) to mark my ascent.

I had reserved — and indeed paid for — a billet in the bunkhouse but the risk of another disturbed night and the need of a hot bath urged me straight to the main road where I caught a bus into Kota Kinabalu. There afßuence Þnally overtook me and, like ‘rogue trader’ Nick Leeson on an earlier and different escapade, I checked into the Hyatt.

Geoffrey Marston

and certain branches of physics, geology and palaeontology, botany, mineralogy, and zoology. Introduced to his Director of Studies John W. Hicks and met Francis Neville, the newly appointed Fellow in Natural Sciences.

Met his fellow undergraduate Thomas Scott Holmes and became involved in The Case of the Haunted Room.

November Outside Porters’ Lodge bitten by ‘Rip’, a dog owned by David Travers, a rather tearaway undergraduate from Trinity Hall. Treated with laudanum, probably contributing to his subsequent moderate drug addiction.

April 1872 - May 1873 Some night climbing, but this period needs further investigation.

Long Vacation 1873 June 28th Became involved in The Case of the Missing Shah of Persia.

June 30th Visited his brother Mycroft.

Later Holmes decided to leave Cambridge due to his father’s Þnancial difÞculties, his dissatisfaction with his academic work and, possibly, the offer of work with Julius Reuter’s organisation as a cryptographer. (after R. J. Chorley — Sherlock Holmes at Sidney Sussex College 1871-1873, 1997) News items? Please contact — Dr A. L. Greer, The Editor, Pheon, Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge CB2 3HU. Tel: 01223 334308; Fax: 01223 338884 E-mail: alg13@cam.ac.uk

This term College was treated to a rare Freshers’ Concert — if not the Þrst ever, certainly the Þrst within the memory of most of those who had the luck to attend it. The programme of chamber music and songs lasted for more than an hour and the quality was stunning. It underlined the fact that students come up to Sidney nowadays with a range of talents that may be entirely incidental to their academic success, but which make College life all the richer.

Talents need to be supported and the College has been conscious for some time that it lacked a mechanism for making small grants available as and when needed to encourage and, often, to enable an event to happen. Not for the Þrst time, Sir Richard Powell (1927) has come to our assistance. Richard has endowed what will be known as the Sidney Sussex Music and Arts Fund. With an initial income of some £4000 p.a. the fund will be able to help with the purchase of musical equipment, paying for specialised lessons, staging small exhibitions, underwriting plays and concerts, and no doubt a host of artistic activity that we scarcely dream of at this stage.

An awards committee has been set up to receive applications from students and respond within fairly broad terms of reference. We look forward to seeing and hearing the fruits of Richard’s generosity and are conÞdent it will be yet another factor that will help tip the balance in Sidney’s favour when new applicants to Cambridge set about choosing their College.

BENEFACTIONS It may be easier and less expensive than you think to establish a prize, name a room or create a personal memorial at Sidney Sussex College. For those Members and Friends who might wish to support the College, a new guide to be published this year, Benefactions, A Guide to Special Gifts and Legacies at Sidney Sussex College, will explain how gifts can be made and how they can shape the future of the College.

At Sidney, scholarship funds and bursaries can be established for as little as £3,000, and a rare manuscript in the College Archive can be restored and the donor acknowledged for as little as £400. Also: • Gift Aid can increase the value of a gift by nearly 30%.

• Gifts can be made in instalments, over a period of several years.

• A gift of shares may cost the donor merely 20% to 40% of its actual value to the College.

Leaving a legacy to the College is one of the best ways to make a tax-efÞcient, signiÞcant gift that can be used to endow a Fellowship or scholarship, create a memorial or name a building or room. To reserve a copy of Benefactions, please complete the one-page form enclosed with this copy of Pheon.