Selwyn College Newsletter 2004

Selwyn www.sel.cam.ac.uk

Chapel life in focus Page 3 An early high flier in Selwyn

Page 5 From a Dean’s Diary

Page 6 New Chapel Organ Inauguration

Edition Eight

Summer 2004

Selwyn

www.sel.cam.ac.uk

Selwyn is published bi-annually by the Development Office of Selwyn College Cambridge, for

View from the Lodge

the members, staff and friends

As I move to the backbenches, I reflect on just

Nowhere in the public sector, can the

of Selwyn. Suggestions and

how far Selwyn has come in the past generation.

administrative, clerical or support staff hold a

contributions from readers are

When the Arts and Humanities Research Board

candle to the standards that we perhaps take for

welcome.

transmuted into a Research Council and joined

granted and certainly need to celebrate here in

all the other research councils in the Sciences and

Selwyn. It’s great to go to a retirement party and

The editorial board wish to thank

the Social Sciences, the great concern was to find

to see so many former members of staff. At one

all those who have assisted in the

ways of establishing ‘parity of esteem’. I think

party recently, I counted four past and present

that was the task that faced Owen Chadwick in

head porters, to match four past and present

1956: how to turn the ‘public hostel known as

Masters!

production of this magazine.

Selwyn College’, as it was legally construed at

© Copyright

the time, into a College that had parity of esteem

As I said at Commemoration, we have no

with the older colleges. By the time I arrived in

problems that money would not solve. I hope I

1976, that process was well established, but there

am a very un-materialistic person, but I recall

was still some way to go. As recently as the late

that the wisdom of the ancients is “radix

1980s we were still trundling along near the

malorum est cupiditas” - the love of money is the

Sandra Stops

bottom of the official league tables; now we are

root of all evil. The need for money is a fact of life

Michael Good

regularly among the top ten colleges. We have

for many that pursue excellence as well as for

Sandy Couch

four Fellows of the British Academy on the

those who struggle to subsist. I like to think that

It doesn’t seem five minutes since I wrote to

Fellowship including a former President and a

there is about Selwyn College in 2004 something

Editorial Board:

announce that I was Acting Master while Richard

former Vice President, and until Alan Cook’s

that comes down to us from George Augustus

The Master

Bowring took a well-earned break. And now I

recent death, two Fellows of the Royal Society.

himself: a belief that the gifts and talents we have

am writing to say that I am about to hand over to

Through sound finance and careful husbandry

can be nurtured and developed uniquely in a

him again. In fact, for me the end of this period

we have risen to the middle ranks of colleges by

college environment, and then put at the service

as Acting Master is the end of an epoch. For I

wealth, and we have used our own resources to

of others in and across the world. That is why it

also retire as Vice Master and from continuous

modernise and enhance existing facilities while

is good to seek to excel at all that we do – as

membership of the Council that I have sat on in

calling on the exceptional generosity of our

every Fellow and every scholar of the college

one capacity or other since its introduction in the

alumni to enhance us with new facilities. It really

promises at their installation, to promote the

early 1980s. So it’s off to the backbenches ---

is a remarkable story.

usefulness of the college as a place of religion,

Selwyn College, Cambridge 2004 Editors:

Sandra Stops Design and production: Cameron Design & Marketing Ltd Telephone: 01353 860006 Photographs:

education, learning and research. May that

Selwyn’s equivalent of Ken Clarke, someone

Howard Beaumont

unkindly remarked. There is no doubting the

As Acting Master, I have come to understand

remain what we all strive for as long as Selwyn

Jean-Luc Benazet

strong pattern of both continuity and change; the

why and how we have become so much more

exists. The university is preparing for its 800th

Sarah MacDonald

latter marked by too many deaths in recent

successful: I have just come back from seeing

anniversary in 2008 and the college for its 125th

months, especially of some of our most

members of the college staff, showing pride in

anniversary in 2007, after all, and that makes me

prominent Fellows and Honorary Fellows. It is

their skills in reshaping the carved wood of the

expect that we are here to stay so long as we stay

poignant that the newly installed chapel organ,

original chapel to fit around the new organ. We

true to that promise.

as yet only partly tuned and voiced, should have

have a staff as dedicated to the well-being of the

Sandra Stops Ian Thompson Address:

been played for the first time at the funeral of Sir

college as are any other group, and with their

The Development Office

Alan Cook, who loved the chapel and its music

own skills that I marvel at -- in the gardens, in

Professor John Morrill

Selwyn College

so much.

the kitchens, in the workshops, in the offices.

Acting Master

Cambridge CB3 9DQ Telephone: 01223 741582/330403 Fax: 01223 471797 email: alumni-office@sel.cam.ac.uk website: www.sel.cam.ac.uk Front cover: An interesting angle on the Chapel

Development update The past year has been the busiest ever for the

enhanced web-based service for events,

increasing overall student numbers in the

Development and Alumni Office. We have

exchanges, contacts and bookings. This will

College. For the first time, Selwyn will be able

organised 16 events since October 2003, both in

take a few more months to bring to fruition so

to offer accommodation to its fourth year

and out of College. A total of almost 1,300 old

please bear with us.

students, both undergraduate and postgraduate. We are also investing in

members attended these events (equivalent to about a quarter of all Selwyn alumni). Our

Many of you will have noticed the launch of

improved disabled facilities around the College,

“roadshows” around the country, in London,

the 1882 Society, the College’s legacy campaign.

notably the Hall, the Library and the MCR.

York and Yeovilton, together with the

We have had a strong response to the campaign

Association lunch in Oxford, were all

in its early weeks, with almost 100 members so

We have made a great deal of progress in the

oversubscribed, and it is especially gratifying to

far indicating to us their intention to remember

two years I have been here. None of this would

see that up to a third of attendees of recent

the College in their Wills. In addition, we are

have been possible without the generosity of

events are back in touch with Selwyn for the

working on a number of new initiatives such as

the Selwyn alumni and the hard work and

first time in many years.

an Annual Fund to be launched later in the

dedication of the staff. This is a powerful

year and the early planning stages of the

combination that allows us to face the

Much has also gone on behind the scenes.

125th anniversary of the College, to be held

challenges of the future with a degree of

We have installed a completely new alumni

in 2007-08.

confidence. As ever, I am extremely grateful.

database that will improve our ability to keep you abreast of developments at the College.

The Ann’s Court crane now towers over

Selwyn College, Cambridge, is

There is a review of the provision of IT services

Cambridge and the building is growing rapidly.

an Exempt Charity (Inland

going on in the College and once this is

We are on schedule for completion in October

complete, we hope to offer a substantially

2005 and the new rooms will be filled without

Revenue number X3634)

Page 1

Nick Downer Bursar/Development Director

development-director@sel.cam.ac.uk.

@

Selwyn www.sel.cam.ac.uk

Admissions:

Myths and Realities Old members who read any British daily paper will be aware that the admissions process continues to

probing. We have a vested interest in seeing each and every candidate at his or her best. We do find

cause controversy and confusion and alumni frequently ask questions related to the admissions process.

ourselves in the position of turning down some candidates with predictions of straight A grades. The same applies to some with ten or more A* grades at GCSE. It does not mean that those receiving offers

Myths abound. Some of those myths are reinforced by authors and organisations who parade

will have lower grades.ii

themselves as experts who, for a price, will reveal the “secrets” or “the real rules” of Oxbridge admissions.i This is much regretted by Admissions Tutors from both Universities, who provide more reliable information at no charge but who are regularly asked questions which reveal their origins in

• If grades are not enough, does that mean the interviews are about extra-curricular breadth rather than scholarly depth?

the myths. Such advice for students and teachers can be found through http://www.cam.ac.uk/ cambuniv/undergrad/ and College prospectuses or contacts.

No. Extra-curricular activities are emphatically not a substitute for scholarly aptitude. We welcome candidates whose commitment to their subject and academic excellence mean that their personal

What are the main myths and what are our answers?

statements and interviews are centred upon their subject(s), their desire to read their chosen degree, and their capacity to work and think beyond the confines of the A Level curriculum. We want people

• Cambridge admissions are a process of social engineering where we deliberately favour certain types of students.

with passion for their subjects. If they also bring passion for other activities, that is great. But the days

No. We look for those, from whatever background, who will thrive on our courses and who we think

We work hard to make our process transparent and understandable and are happy to field questions

have the potential to achieve excellent results by the end of their degree. We do not operate quotas,

from candidates and schools. The College and University web sites provide a wealth of detail about

nor do we ‘score’ candidates differently according to their educational or other circumstances. What

courses and Cambridge life. Selwyn, and all Colleges, have changed in recent decades; but we retain

matters is their academic ability and potential. Selwyn, like all Colleges and the University centrally,

our commitment to providing the best possible education for those best qualified to benefit from it,

works hard to widen participation. That does not mean special favours for some. It means

whatever their background.

are long gone when Selwyn, or other Colleges, would privilege the extra-curricular over the academic.

encouraging suitably qualified candidates to apply from all sorts of backgrounds rather than be put off by the image that the University has had and may, in some eyes, retain.

• For a review by the Director of Admissions for the Colleges of one such work, and Cambridge responses to recent major consultations on post-14 education and on admissions to HE, see

• Cambridge admissions interviews are a test of social skills.

No. What we are looking for in the interviews is evidence of academic potential, and to this end most interviews are ‘technical’ rather than chit-chat. The interviews exist to provide us with extra

http://www.cam.ac.uk/cambuniv/undergrad/responses/

• http://www.cam.ac.uk/cambuniv/undergrad/interview/ provides details on what we are looking for and tips about preparing for interviews.

information to help us to select fairly from fields of applicants virtually all of whom have achieved and are predicted top grades. Dress, accent, manner, and retentive memory are not what we are

Dr Mike Sewell and Dr James Keeler (Admissions Tutors)

Selwyn’s 125th Anniversary I remember when . . .

Please send your contribution to:

In the academical year 2007-08 Selwyn will be celebrating 125 years since it admitted its first undergraduates. This milestone will be

125 Anniversary Book

marked in a number of ways, and details will be published as they

Alumni Office

become available.

Selwyn College Cambridge

One way in which we hope to celebrate is by publishing an

CB3 9DQ

Anniversary Book which will reflect on the past 125 years in pictures and anecdotal comments from members past and present. Do you have

or e-mail: alumni-office@sel.cam.ac.uk marked 125 Anniversary Book

any particular memories of the College and your time here that you would like to contribute? Did you attend a particularly memorable

Please include your name, the year you came up to Selwyn, a brief

concert, play or dinner? Were you in a winning team on the river? Do

description of the memory (in no more than 150 words) and indicate

you have any stories to share of heated tutorial debates or long

whether or not you own a photograph that marks the occasion. (Please

evenings in the Hat and Feathers? Do you recall your room being cold

do not send photographs at this stage.)

Selwyn

enough to freeze milk? If so, we would like to hear from you.

Page 2

Selwyn www.sel.cam.ac.uk

An early high flier in Selwyn A chance find by a holiday-maker at a car

Wales and Shropshire, he died on 29 December

1794. The athletics meeting it records would

boot sale in Moreton, near Birkenhead, in

1934; further details may be found in the brief

probably have taken place on the College’s

1987, has provided us with a direct link to the

obituary, which appeared in the 1935-6 Calendar

original sports ground, off the Grantchester

earliest years of Selwyn. Back home in

under the now-hyphenated name of Francis

Road (near the present Cambridge RUFC

Australia, her home since 1969, Julie Dyke

Barry-Roberts. Over forty years a parish priest

premises), leased from King’s in 1883. It was

cleaned and polished the tarnished silver

would have preached several thousand sermons:

far from ideal, suffering from poor drainage in

sports cup (acquired for £1) to reveal an

one likes to think of Francis occasionally

winter – not the best track for a high jump

inscription embellished by worn decorative

working in some Pauline athletic metaphors.

competition in February - and developing

bands of athletic laurels: ‘Selwyn College

cracks once it dried out in the long hot

Athletic Sports High Jump, won by F.B.

It is worth pointing out that the High Jump

summers of those years. The lease expired in

Roberts, 5ft 21/2 in, Feb 1885’ (illustrated

benchmark of six feet was cleared for the first

1939, and the ground was finally vacated in

below). Years later, she found Selwyn College

time only in the 1870s, having been thought by

1938 for the present field shared with King’s.

through the Internet, and left a message on the

some to be an unattainable barrier, like the next

Since the Archives contain no surviving

JCR website, which was eventually forwarded

century’s much-vaunted four-minute mile; so

photographs or other records of field sports in

to our archivist Elizabeth Stratton.

an effort of nearly five and a quarter feet was

those years, Julie’s silver cup may constitute a

no mean achievement for a twenty-year-old

unique link with the athletic side of College life

Elizabeth had no trouble in identifying the

theology student in the mid 1880s. It would

in its earliest days. As such, the fact that it

recipient as Francis Barry Roberts, born 20

presumably have needed a tall man to straddle

found an interested and historically-minded

November 1864. He was in the college’s first-

such a height. The cup, appropriately enough,

buyer in 1987 is something that we should all

year intake, coming up on 10 October 1882 to

is not unlike a small communion chalice in

be grateful for.

read Theology, and his name appears on page

appearance, modest in design, without

three of the first Admissions Register. He took

handles, and just over 5 inches high. On the

his BA in 1886 and his MA in 1890; he was

reverse side are the college arms, and under its

ordained deacon in 1887 and priest in 1889. After

base there is a stamp with a small shield

forty-five years of ministry, divided between

containing a winged archer and the number

Michael Good and Sandra Stops

Cambridge University

Technology and Enterprise Club Selwyn Graduates co-found CUTEC which

The conference also featured an exclusive

launched its First Annual Venture

technology showcase, an opportunity to meet

Capital Conference in June 2004.

the finalists from the Cambridge University Entrepreneurs £50K and 3P business plan

The Cambridge University Technology and

competitions and the Massachusetts Institute of

Enterprise Club (CUTEC) announces the 1st

Technology (MIT) $50K business plan

Annual Venture Capital Conference devoted to

competition finalists.

innovation and entrepreneurship at the University of Cambridge. CUTEC

After the launch of its successful First Annual

was sparked off at a Selwyn Garden Party in

Conference, CUTEC is now a thriving club with

Summer 2003 by two Selwyn College PhD

more than 20 active members, including four

Students, Matthias Christandl (SE 2002) and

Selwyn College Graduate Students.

Alessandro Rospigliosi (SE 2001), together with their friends from the MIT. CUTEC’s First

For more information about CUTEC and its

Annual Venture Capital conference, which was

annual conferences and events, please visit:

held on June 10, 2004 at the Guildhall, London, provided a forum for discussion among

www.cutec.org

technology innovators, venture capitalists and others interested in high technology enterprise.

Matthias Christandl (SE 2002)

@

The gathering of students and business leaders affords an unmatched opportunity to share ideas and concepts concerning cutting-edge technology and funding for entrepreneurial organisations.

The conference’s general session and in-depth panel discussions featured world leaders in high technology and investment such as the former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge, Professor Sir Alec Broers, and Paul Harvey, co-

Wes Streeting (SE 2001) Wes Streeting recently graduated with a 2.1

the staff were wearing my stickers!’

in History in June 2004 and has since moved on to become sabbatical President of

Wes Streeting had previously been JCR

Cambridge University Students’ Union

President and Ents Officer during his time at

(CUSU) following university-wide elections

Selwyn, as well as President of the 2002

in March. CUSU is the representative body

Selwyn Snowball. “I probably didn’t spend

for the University’s 18,000 postgraduate and

enough time on my History but I did throw

undergraduate community. He has also been

a lot of my time into the College and it was

elected as Chair of the Aldwych Group;

well worth it.” Wes tells us, “I may be

students’ unions of the Russell Group of the

working with the University next year, but

UK’s top 19 research institutions.

Selwyn is still very much my home!”

founder of Abbey Road Ventures, and former Upon his election The Cambridge Student

To find out more about CUSU, visit

Investment Banking at Goldman Sachs. Panel

Newspaper carried the headline ‘It Was My

www.cusu.cam.ac.uk or e-mail Wes on

speakers came from world-class institutions such

College Wot Won It’ and Wes attributes his

president@cusu.cam.ac.uk.

Managing Director of European Technology

as GlaxoSmithKline, nCipher, the European

L-R: Pierre Far, Alessandro Rospigliosi (SE 2001),

election success to the support of the

NanoBusiness Association, and Microsoft

Sir Paul Judge, Matthias Christandl (SE 2002),

College: ‘The whole College really rallied

Wes Streeting former JCR President

Research.

Ken Morse (MIT Entrepreneurship Center)

round to support me; even the Porters and

CUSU President 2004–05

Page 3

Selwyn www.sel.cam.ac.uk

Tobias Billström (SE 2001) When I got elected to the Swedish Parliament (the Riksdag) in

such highly invaluable possessions as toothbrushes and chargers for

September 2002 as an MP for the City of Malmö, the first advice I got

mobile phones.

from a colleague was to take command over my agenda – or someone else was bound to do it. This was certainly well-spoken advice. I have

One of the important issues occupying space in my calendar is the task

never before experienced an occupation that varies so much from day

of travelling the world to promote training courses in democracy. These

to day.

courses, funded by the Swedish International Development Association, are an important contribution in spreading the word of democracy on a

In the Riksdag, the members work in different committees, where they

global scale. So far it has brought me to such varied places as Poland,

represent their respective party groups and the positions these have

Serbia, Singapore and Mongolia. During the autumn and next spring

agreed upon. As a Member of the Committee on Education, I’m dealing

I’m scheduled to visit South Korea and Indonesia.

with everything from kindergarten to frontier research on the various fields that Sweden can offer, as well as everything in between. Much of

My time at Selwyn has certainly been of great help to me in my daily

my time is devoted to meetings with representatives of different

work, not least the experience of being President of the MCR. I do miss

organisations, lobbyists and visits to different parts of Sweden as well

the opportunities of sitting with a group of people from different

as abroad. I am also a Deputy Member of the Committees on the

continents and different backgrounds discussing various subjects. A

Labour Market and on Cultural Affairs and thus I follow the

Parliamentary debate may well reach the heights of rhetoric, but it is

development in these as well.

very seldom gifted with the unlimited space that an academic discussion offers. I also have to promote the excellent reputation that a

Much time is spent on travelling. Commuting between Malmö and

Cambridge degree offers internationally – I consider my time at Selwyn

Stockholm (a one-hour flight) is a challenge in itself, both in terms of

as a truly valuable possession.

being in the right place at the right time but also carrying the right equipment. This includes manuscripts and computers, not to mention

Tobias Billström, MP

The Brock Challenge What can you recall about Selwyn? Here Professor William

6.

Who was head of Marks & Spencer in the early 1980s?

iv A former head of IBM (UK)

Brock (SE 1947), sets a challenge, so do take a few minutes to test

7.

During the 1970s certain compulsions and restraints for

v

undergraduates ceased to operate. How many can you recall

vi An Archbishop

your knowledge; the answers can be found on page 9

and what were they?

A former Ambassador to Italy

vii A female Canon of St Paul’s 12. At which of the following places did or will the choir

PAST

perform in 2003 and 2004?

1.

Where would you look for a Master’s ashes?

2.

One Master since 1947 has no portrait in the Hall. Can you

PRESENT

Aberdeen

Helsinki

Canterbury London (St Paul’s)

name him?

8.

Lavenham

Tallinn

Bruges

3.

undergraduates who obtained First Class Honours in 2003?

Can you identify the following former Fellows? i

He discovered much by looking down from a height.

ii

He was known to most Natural Scientists as an author while they were still at school.

Which of these figures is nearest to the number of Selwyn 30 35 40 45 50 55 60

9.

Given a random selection of 100 resident Selwyn students, how many would you expect to be graduate students?

15 20 25 30 35 40

iii The”Footlights man” iv Known to Boat Club friends as “Peter” though that was not his name. v

10. Which Fellows including those in Class E (retired), are entitled to put the following initials after their names?

FRS, F.ENG

If he had been a judge he would have lived up to his name.

11. Can you identify the following Selwyn graduates?

vi He made his name with work on animal camouflage.

i

Author of The Year 1000

4.

Why is “The Trevelyan Fellowship” so named?

ii

A long serving Lib Dem MP

5.

A KBE but you must not call him “Sir” – who is he and why?

iii Author of Enigma

Edinburgh

York

13. What event, of significance for Selwyn, occurred in Jerusalem in 2000?

14. The present Fellowship covers a wide range of subjects.

Which of the following are represented?

Egyptology Materials Science

Zoology

Geography

Modern Greek

Ancient Greece

Experimental Psychology

Pharmacology

American Literature

Linguistics 15. The present Master is a Professor of?

Answers on page 9

Page 4

Selwyn www.sel.cam.ac.uk

From a Dean’s Diary 0950am

Master’s Lodge. I don’t know what

moment on the ‘shop floor’,

hour talking through a number of

I’d do without the secretarial help

discuss arrangements for the tour

fairly difficult issues that he is

that she gives me. Head back to D7

to Scotland in the summer and

facing. I think he found it helpful

but stop to chat to Paul, the Head

begin to look ahead to events for

to talk but I will need to keep an

Gardener on the way. I’m sure he

next year. Plans are afoot to visit

eye on him. Have told him to

despairs about my ignorance of

New Zealand for Choir Tour 2005.

come back or call me anytime. Will

things horticultural!!

It is a great idea – I just worry

probably need to alert his Tutor if

about financing it!

things begin to affect his revision.

E-mail from two students who want to talk over a couple of things

10.00am

5.15pm

The Scholar on ‘Grace’ duty in Hall

10.15pm

Make out list of things that need to

that are bothering them. Arrange

tonight arrives to learn how to say

be done tomorrow, respond to a

to see them at 11.15am.

it. It is never an easy task to try

few of the e-mails that I’ve been

and bring those with no

meaning to deal with all day and

Dash over to my room in

background in Latin up to speed in

then decide that it’s about time to

Newnham where I’m to give a

time for Hall – and today is no

call it a day. Porter phones to tell

revision supervision to my New

exception. I wish that they

me that a student has been taken

One of the joys (and the frustrations!) of life as

Testament Greek students. I’m

wouldn’t leave it so late! Mind

off to Addenbrooke’s, on advice

the Dean of Chapel at Selwyn is that no two

sure that they’ll both be fine but,

you, thanks to Dr Thompson and

from CamDoc. Not much that I

days are ever the same and so it is difficult to

with only three weeks to the exam,

the wonders of modern technology,

can do at this stage; the Tutor has

describe what a typical day might be. I never

they do need to work hard on their

I can now e-mail them a computer

been informed and the student has

know quite what is going to happen next!

translation. Understanding the

recording of a Classicist reading

a friend with her. I tell the porter

What follows is, however, an account of one of

biblical languages is, I think, a vital

Grace for them to listen to!

to call me in the night if he needs

my average days in the Easter Term.

tool to being able to handle the Bible intelligently – but getting

0530am

0645am

to but, otherwise, tell him that I’ll 5.30pm

Across to Chapel to check all is

check things out in the morning

ready for Choral Evensong.

and see how she is.

Wake up, as usual, to the sound of

students to accept that is not

the radio four theme tune, make

always easy! I remember one of

tea, shower etc and then tune into

these girls saying to me at the start

the Today programme and catch up

of the year, “Go on, convince me

message from another student

enjoy the most relaxing fifteen

on the news.

this is interesting!”

looking to see me as soon as

minutes or so of the day – in my

possible. No information about

armchair with a glass of single

Back to Selwyn for meeting with

what but at this time of the year it

malt! Say Night Prayer and then to

Night Porter that all is well and

students. They are clearly very

is likely to be exam-stress related.

bed – the alarm will soon be

then time for private prayer and

concerned and worried but don’t

E-mail back explaining I’m not

sounding heralding another day.

reflection in D7 before the demands

quite know how to handle the

available until later and suggest

of the day set in.

situations they are facing. I agree

that he comes round about 9pm.

Arrive at College, check with the

11.00am

5.45pm

Another e-mail check and a

11.00pm

Cycle home and settle down to

The Revd Ian Thompson (Dean of Chapel SE1999 –)

to do what I can to help and to talk 0730am

Prepare details for Chapel service

to one or two people for them.

sheets for printing and send

Advise them not to take too much

Evensong. There has been no

e-mails to lesson readers for the

on themselves.

organ in the Chapel this Term and

6.15pm

week’s services.

so everything has been sung 12.15pm

0750am

Check e-mail and deal with phone

unaccompanied. Quite a difficult

To Chapel for the daily celebration

messages before midday prayer.

discipline, but the choir has coped

of the Eucharist – the most

Head to lunch.

with it well. I think that we will all

important part of my day. It is this sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving

0830am

be glad when the new organ 2.00pm

Another revision supervision, this

arrives though – especially the

that provides the foundation for

time on the Shaping of Modern

Organ Scholars: they’re being made

everything I do and is at the heart

Theology paper. Student had

to sing this Term!

of the life and witness of the

prepared well and we spent an

Chapel.

interesting and, for me, stimulating

Breakfast in Hall provides a chance stragglers who are putting off

Former Master Sir Alan Cook (SE 1983) A Memorial Service for Sir Alan Cook will be held at 2.30pm in Selwyn College Chapel on Saturday 23 October 2004.

Refreshments will be served after the

hour discussing the roots of non-

SCR before we go into Hall. I enjoy

service. Please let the Alumni Office

realism.

Tuesday and Thursday evenings at

know if you will be attending.

High Table (well, most of the time!).

Sermon preparation for Sunday

High Table provides a good

getting on with revision! I like

morning. I do wonder what was in

opportunity to spend time catching

Former Organ Scholar Dr Percy Young

Easter Term – it’s the only time of

the minds of the people who

up with one or two colleagues and,

(SE 1930)

the year that there is full cooked

selected the readings for each

hopefully, avoiding too much

breakfast available!

Sunday of the year. They seem to

conversation about College. I

A Memorial Service for Dr Percy Young

be a really random selection

3.00pm

especially enjoy the cheese and

will be held at 2pm in Selwyn College

sometimes!

biscuits in the New SCR after dinner

Chapel on Saturday 30 October 2004.

Weekly ‘tea-meeting’ with the

– not to mention the claret!

Refreshments will be served after the

Collect and deal with mail, finish preparing Chapel material and

Page 5

IN MEMORIAM

Join those dining for a drink in the

7.20pm

to catch up with the undergraduate

0900am

Back to Chapel for Choral

4.30pm

other letters and take these, along

Director of Music in Chapel, the

with some College Council

Organ Scholars and, this week, the

business (I’m also secretary to the

elected choir representatives.

back to D7 to see if my student

Council) across to Heather in the

Chance to catch up with matters of

appears. He does and we spend an

service. Please let the Alumni Office 9.00pm

Slip out of the New SCR and head

know if you will be attending.

Selwyn www.sel.cam.ac.uk

New Chapel Organ

Inauguration Sunday 30th January 2005 at 8.45pm

Selwyn College is very much looking forward

prize for performance at the international

to the installation of Cambridge’s first

organ competitions at Haarlem, Beauvais,

Canadian organ, Opus 95 of the renowned

Lyon, Nuremberg, St Albans, Strasbourg, and

firm, Orgues Létourneau Ltée. The organ has

Rennes, and for composition in the “Amis de

30 stops over three manuals and pedal

l’Orgue” competition, the International

(Grande-Orgue, Récit, and Positif de dos),

Competition for Organ Composition, and the

mechanical key action, and electric stop

Académie des Beaux-Arts. His works include

action, with a full combination capture

instrumental, symphonic, and vocal pieces,

system. Although built to be liturgically and

and are published mainly by UMP and Leduc.

musically flexible, the organ definitely has a

He was the organist of the Basilique du Sacré-

French (Canadian) accent, with a blaze of

Coeur, Paris, from 1985 until 1993, when he

colourful Cavaillé-Coll-style reeds

succeeded Olivier Messiaen at l’Eglise de la

(Létourneau is a direct descendent of the

Trinité. He is much in demand as a recitalist,

French voicing school, via Casavant Frères).

improviser, and teacher, with engagements for

After a visit to play the instrument in the

concerts and masterclasses taking him all over

Quebec workshop (shortly before it was

the world. He is also Professor of Musical

dismantled for shipping) Selwyn’s Director of

Analysis at the Boulogne-Billancourt

Music, Sarah MacDonald, was able to confirm

Conservatoire, visiting professor at the Royal

in glowing terms that it will be one of the

Academy of Music, London, and Composer in

most exciting new instruments in the city, if

Residence at Trinity College of Music, London.

not the country.

The programme for the concert will feature works by Bach, Tournemire and de Grigny.

In order to celebrate the arrival of the organ at Selwyn, an inuagural concert is planned for

Alumni who wish to attend the concert may

Sunday 30th January, 2005. We are fortunate

order tickets using the separate order form

to have Naji Hakim playing for us. For the last

enclosed with this newsletter. Places in the

20 years he has been one of the most

chapel are limited so please submit your order

important representatives of the great French

early to avoid disappointment. If you no

tradition of organist-composer-improvisers.

longer have the order form, please contact the

Born in Beirut in 1955, he studied with Jean

Alumni Office on 01223 330403/741582 and we

Langlais, and at the Paris Conservatoire, where

will arrange for you to receive another one.

he obtained first prizes in harmony, counterpoint, fugue, organ, improvisation,

Sarah MacDonald –

analysis, and orchestration. He received first

Director of Music in Chapel

Page 6

Selwyn www.sel.cam.ac.uk

Selwyn Events

The Master, Charlie Craig (SE1972-74) and Dean Paul Armstrong of Brown University, Providence Rhode

The Master, Heather Kilpatrick, Sandra Stops and Charlie Craig (SE1972-74) at the New York Reception held at

Island, sign the new Selwyn-Brown Exchange agreement at Brown University on 29 March 2004.

The Racquet and Tennis Club, New York, on 30 March 2004.

The Lord Mayor of Oxford and Bob Price (SE1966-69) host Selwyn

The Mayor of Cambridge, David White (SE1950-54), hosts members at

Former Master Professor Owen Chadwick (SE1956-83) joins Paul Rowe

members at Oxford Town Hall after the Oxford Lunch on 15 May 2004.

Cambridge Town Hall before the May Week Lunch on 12 June 2004.

(SE1970-73) and the 1972/73 Rugby Teams for their Rugby Uppers Reunion Dinner at Selwyn on 2 March 2004.

Selwyn members at the start of their tour around York Minster, part of the York Event held on 30 April 2004.

The Ordination of The Revd Philip Raymont L-R: The Revd Ian Thompson (Dean of Selwyn College Chapel), Canon John Morgan (Warden St John’s College Brisbane), The Revd Philip Raymont (SE 2000), The Right Revd Anthony Russell (Bishop of Ely), The Revd John Yates Jnr (Decani Scholar Clare College), The Revd John Yates Snr, The Revd Roger Greeves (The Dean, Clare College Chapel)

Page 7

Selwyn www.sel.cam.ac.uk

Donors’ Garden Party

Fears about a deluge proved groundless as hundreds of alumni enjoyed a warm and sunny afternoon at the second Donors’ Garden Party held on Saturday 17 July 2004. One hundred balloons in College colours captivated the dozens of children who came with their parents, as did the face painting and the Punch and Judy. The catering staff provided a glorious spread of food in the marquee and guests were entertained once more by the Selwyn String Quartet and a strolling magician.

Sandy Couch

Page 8

Selwyn www.sel.cam.ac.uk

Selwyn

Selwyn

Merchandise

Christmas cards

Anniversary Porcelain Mug

£7.00*

Anniversary T Shirts Classic T Shirt

£9.50

(UK postage £1.00) Selwyn Cut Glass Tumbler (singles)

£19.50*

Selwyn Cut Glass Tumbler (doubles)

£35.00*

Selwyn Lapel Pin

Following the huge success of last year’s sale of Xmas cards, we are pleased to be able to offer 3 new images for this year. We have limited stock so please order as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

All cards are in full colour and are 105mm x 148mm with the message “Season’s Greetings” inside.

£6.75

(UK postage 50p) Selwyn Cuff Links

£16.95

(UK postage 50p) Selwyn College Port Selwyn College Note Pad

£10.75 £3.00

(UK postage 50p) Selwyn College – A History

£10.00

(UK postage 50p) Selwyn College Choir CDs: “Howells Evening Canticles”

£12.00

“The Complete New English Hymnal” £12.00 (UK postage 50p) Selwyn After Dinner Mints

£3.00

(UK postage 50p) Tie slide with college crest in full colour.

Presented in a gift box.

£11.25

(UK postage 50p)

Name: _____________________________

Please enter your choice of cards below by indicating the number of each design required (packs can be made up from mixed designs):

___________________________________ Single cards

___________________________________

@ 89p each * Delivery of porcelain, cut glass goods and

Address: ___________________________

port will be delivered by Parcel Force – postage starts from £5.00. Please contact Sandra Stops for a quote.

Selwyn College, Cambridge CB3 9DQ

___________________________________ ___________________________________

Packs of cards (6, 10 or 20 in a pack) 6 @ £5.00

10 @ £8.40

20 @ 16.30

Chapel in the Snow Hall in the Snow Bikes in the Snow TOTAL

£

___________________________________

Tel: 01223 741582 Fax: 01223 471797

___________________________________

Email: alumni-office@sel.cam.ac.uk

___________________________________

New Conference Accommodation From October 2005, Selwyn College can offer 44 new en-suite rooms to its conference market. For full details on prices and availability please contact the Conference and Catering Manager, Bill Simmonett, Tel: 01223 335855, Email: catering@sel.cam.ac.uk

*UK P&P is included in price. Overseas alumni will be invoiced for the cost of P&P at time of mailing. Cheques should be made payable to Selwyn College.

All merchandise is also available for purchase from the Porters’ Lodge.

Please send this order form to Development Office, Selwyn College, Cambridge CB3 9DQ

Post Code: _________________________

Orders will be accepted up to 1 December 2004.

The Brock Challenge Answers -

8.

First Class Honours in 2003, nearest number is 60

9.

Graduate Students: between 35 and 40.

10. FRS: Professor Jeremy Sanders. F.ENG: Sir David Harrison, Donald Welbourn, Ken Wallace.

PAST

11. i

Robert Lacey

1.

In the garden, east end of Chapel, Bishop G A Chase

2.

William Telfer, who vetoed expenditure on an oil painting.

ii

Simon Hughes

3.

i

J K St Joseph, a pioneer in aerial photography.

iii

Robert Harris

ii

P J Durant, for his Inorganic Chemistry

iv

Sir Edwin Nixon

iii

Harry Porter

v

Sir John Shepherd

iv

The Revd A C Blyth

vi

The Most Revd B C Morgan (of Wales)

v

Paul Fairest, a Fellow in Law

vii The Revd Lucy Winkett

vi

Hugh Cott

4.

5.

12. All, except Bruges and York

As a contribution to the Centenary Appeal Trinity gave money to

13. The Choir performed here.

endow a Research Fellowship. The name was chosen because G.M

14. All, except Zoology and Geography

Trevelyan, a former Master of Trinity, lived at 23 West Road.

15. Professor of Japanese.

The Revd W O Chadwick: as a priest he cannot bear arms or be addressed as “Sir”. A foolish survival from medieval times.

6.

Lord [Derek] Rayner

7.

Gowns no longer to be worn outside the College after dark; Dinners ceased to be compulsory; College gates no longer closed at 10pm.

Page 9

PRESENT

Selwyn www.sel.cam.ac.uk

Letters and News

from you . . .

After nearly 50 years it is gratifying to learn

It was good to read Terry’s letter. I am the

from Terry Jones’ letter (Selwyn Edition 7,

gemmologist; the “Aberdeen University

Spring 2004) that as Chaplain I provided such

professor” was Michael (Mick) Lyon (SE 1956-

entertainment for him and his contemporaries,

59). We got together, fresh from the Services on

as I progressed across the then sunken lawn

our first afternoon. Apart from bricklaying one

from D Staircase to the Chapel. Although at

sport was towing a bicycle behind a motor-

13 1/2 stone and a mere shadow of my former

bike; Grange Road was very well suited to this.

self, I doubt whether I could perform such feats

Bystanders who had not seen the combination

today at 83.

coming were taken aback. Mick and I (later) became addicted to motor cycles – I still miss

Edmund Randall

my BSA.

(Fellow 1952-57, Chaplain 1953-57) Michael O’Donoghue (SE 1956-59)

Selwyn’s Educational Link With St Albans

Selwyn Stamp In the Spring 2003 edition of Selwyn there was

The imminent departure of Graham Yapp (SE 1975–79) from the headship of Beaumont School brings an unusual Selwyn connection with St Albans to an end, at least for the time being. Of the 9 state secondary schools in St Albans, Selwyn alumni were running 3 of them. Graham’s fellow conspirators were Tony Bartlett (SE 1963), the headteacher of Marlborough School and Bob Hawkes (SE 1961), the headteacher of Verulam School.

an article about the Selwyn College Stamp.

The College still held some of these in the archives and offered to sell them to alumni at £45.00 – 10% below catalogue price. Those of you who know something about stamps may well have thought that the price asked was too high, since it is true that one can obtain stamps of adequate quality at, say 40%-60% below catalogue price. The catalogue price is for stamps in perfect condition, flawless and as

CONCERTS TO MARK THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE INSTRUMENTAL AWARDS SCHEME

The Instrumental Awards Scheme has been one of the most outstanding success stories on the Cambridge musical scene in recent years. Founded in 1979 by Peter le Huray in collaboration with Andrew Jones and Tim Brown, it has grown steadily over the years so that now all twenty-five undergraduate Colleges participate in the Scheme. Its purpose is to channel the energies of the most gifted undergraduate instrumentalists into chamber music, to provide them with coaching by professional musicians, and to raise the standard of chamber music performance in Cambridge. To mark the 25th anniversary of the IAS, a series of concerts is being given in the Michaelmas Term 2004 in the West Road Concert Hall by former Award-holders who are now established in professional careers.

15 October Mozart: Quintet for piano and wind in E flat major, K. 452; Poulenc: Trio for oboe, bassoon, piano; Messiaen: Quatuor pour la fin du temps Holly Fawcett, Peter Sparks, Siona Crosdale, Alexia Cammish, Iain Farrington, Maya Magub, Rosie Biss, Matthew Schellhorn 22 October Schubert: Six songs; Schumann: Fünf Lieder, op. 40, to words by Hans Christian Anderson; Henze: Sechs Gesänge aus dem Arabischen Mark Padmore, Andrew West 29 October String Quartets: Beethoven: C major, op. 59 no. 3; Janácek: ‘Intimate Letters’; Schubert: D minor, D. 810 (‘Death and the Maiden’) Kathryn Parry, Paul Jourdan, Kathryn Jourdan, Juliet Welchman 5 November Debussy: Sonata for ’cello and piano; Dvorák: Piano Quintet in A major, op.

81; Schubert: String Quintet in C major Ursula Gough, Helen Cox, Maxine Moore, Sarah Suckling, Zoë Martlew, Tom Poster

fresh as if they had just left the printer.

The three Selwyn men were well known for frequently reminding local colleagues of their common background. Those days, alas, will shortly come to an end as Graham leaves his post at Beaumont School to take on his new

Obviously, it is rare for stamps to meet this condition – particularly classic stamps of the Victorian Age – but the Selwyn ones do: they are still in their original envelopes and have never been handled.

role as a County Adviser. He joins Tony Bartlett, who is already in post. Bob Hawkes continues to enjoy his retirement.

The response to the offer was positive and the Development Fund has benefited by almost £1400. Those who bought them will be pleased

So Selwyn’s link with the historic town of St Albans finally draws to a close – or does it?

The three heads have set a challenge to all Selwyn graduates; to follow in their footsteps and take on the mantle of headship again in

to know that the catalogue price has risen by 10% (Stanley Gibbons’ Specialised 1 – Queen Victoria) and those of you who hesitated about buying any may like to know that there are still some available.

St Albans.

The stamps are not only part of our College’s history, but they may well prove to be a good investment, and you would also have the satisfaction of knowing that you had contributed towards our College’s continuing prominence in the University.

12 November Haydn: String Quartets: op. 17 no. 2 in F major; op. 20 no 5 in F minor; op.

42 in D minor; op. 76 no. 6 in E flat major The London Haydn Quartet: Catherine Manson, Margaret Faultless, James Boyd, Jonathan Cohen 19 November Beethoven: Sonata for violin and piano in G major, op. 30 no. 3; Hugh Wood: Poem; Kreisler: Syncopation, Schön Rosmarin, Tambourin Chinois; Brahms: Sonata for violin and piano in G major, op. 78 Alexandra Wood, Huw Watkins 26 November Piano Trios: Haydn: E flat major, Hob. XV/30; Martin Suckling (première); Beethoven: B flat major, op. 97 (the ‘Archduke’) The le Huray Piano Trio: Marcus Barcham-Stevens, Christopher Suckling, Roderick Chadwick 3 December Beethoven: Sonata for horn and piano in F major, op. 17; Stravinsky: Duo Concertante for violin and piano; Mozart: Sonata in E minor for violin and piano, K. 304; Brahms: Horn Trio in E flat major, op. 40 Lesley Hatfield, David Pyatt, Katharine Durran

Mr David Nicoll Griffith (SE 1948-52) To obtain your stamp: The College is pleased to be able to offer these

Tickets: £9 (students: £2); reductions on four or more; available at the door or from the Cambridge Arts Theatre Box Office (01223 503 333) or Elisabeth Fleming (01954 210 810; ekf20@cam.ac.uk).

stamps to alumni at £45 each. To purchase one of these stamps please forward a cheque The three Selwyn Heads of St Albans are, from left to

payable to Selwyn College to Alumni Office,

right, Tony Bartlett (Marlborough School), Bob

Selwyn College, Cambridge, CB3 9DQ. All

Hawkes (Verulam School) and Graham Yapp

money will be donated to the Development

(Beaumont School).

Project.

Page 10

Selwyn

www.sel.cam.ac.uk

future events for 2004-2005 Saturday 11 September

Thursday 11 November

Year Group Representatives

USA

Reunion Garden Party and Lunch for the year

Highlights@High Table

1959 Alfred Waller

For our alumni in the USA Ruth Saunders (SE

alfredwaller@fawley.fsbusiness.co.uk

of 1991. For details contact Sian Walters Email: walterssian@hotmail.com

Monday 15 November Reception at the British Academy for alumni in

Saturday 25 September Reunion Lunch for the year of 1964

London and the South East.

1960 James Trevelyan 1962 David Denton 1963 Andrew Millinger

A date for the diary! This lunch is being

2005 Sunday 30 January

organised by Roger Le Clercq. Please contact

Inauguration of the New Chapel Organ.

1964 Roger Le Clerq

Roger direct for details. Email:

Playing by Naji Hakim. Booking form

roger@leclercq.fsnet.co.uk Booking forms will

enclosed with this newsletter.

Saturday 5 March Reunion for the year of 1994

120th Anniversary Boat Club Reunion Dinner

Mary Clegg & Liz Ross Martyn and Charlotte

The Dinner is organised to coincide with the

Dalton are organising a reunion to celebrate 10

Saturday of the Lent bumps.

years since matriculation. This reunion will take

For further information please contact Alastair

place at the Annual Diner on 25 September.

Rimmer, (Email: alastair.rimmer@uk.pwc.com)

Invitations will be mailed in August.

or for help locating former crew members Gemma Endean (gle@ca.ac.uk)

Selwyn Association Annual Dinner and AGM

Saturday 2 April

All alumni are welcome to attend the Selwyn

MA congregation Dinner

Association Annual Dinner, in particular we would like to welcome back those who came

Saturday 9 April

up in 1964, 1979 and 1994.

Alumni Reunion for those who came up in 19661975. Booking forms will be mailed in January.

All Alumni are welcome to bring

For further details please contact the Alumni

spouses/partners. Remember, if you have

Office. Email: aumni-office@sel.cam.ac.uk

graduated from Selwyn you are a member of the Selwyn Association.

Law Society Dinner Booking forms will be mailed in August to all alumni. For further details please contact the Alumni Office: 01223 741582/330403, email:

Highlights @ High Table

Alumni Weekend 2004 24-26 September Along with the varied programme of events on

Roger@leclercq.fsnet.co.uk 1967 Michael Rowles michael.rowles@bristows.com nhirst@hadenfreeman.com 1976 Charlotte Matts Ccareymatts@aol.com 1978 Gareth Quarry gdquarry@yahoo.co.uk 1981 Catherine Wightwick catherine@wightwick.co.uk

Plans are now being made for the next production by the Cambridge Handel Opera

offer, the following will be offering open days,

Group. The performances will take place on

English Faculty, Divinity Faculty, Philosophy

4, 5, 7, and 8 May 2005. If you would like to

and the Judge Institute.

receive further information in January 2005, please write to Elisabeth Fleming, the

For details on the Alumni Weekend please

Company Manager of CHOG, c/o Dr A. V.

contact 10 Trumpington Street, Cambridge,

Jones, Selwyn College, Cambridge, CB3 9DQ;

CB2 1QA. Tel: 01223 339268, Fax: 01223 301710

she can also provide information about the

or to check current availability please go to:

Friends and Benefactors Scheme, one of the

http://www.foundation.cam.ac.uk/pages/

advantages of which is priority booking.

representatives expand. If you have a college anniversary coming up, becoming a year group rep will enable you to renew contact with your contemporaries. If you feel that you can represent your year with support from the Alumni Office, please contact Sandra Stops, email: alumni-office@sel.cam.ac.uk.

Dining Rights, Selwyn MAs You may dine on three occasions per year as College guests. (Current Fellows must also be present, minimum 6 dining). Guests are welcome at your own expense. To book, please contact the Catering and Conference Office, Tel: 01223 335855, email: catering@sel.cam.ac.uk

1982 Stephen Speak Stephen@speakfamily.com 1985 Vanessa Webster Vanessa@vanessawebster.com

Mitre Players . . . brilliant . . . fantastic

1986 Mark Carey mark.carey@vodafone.com 1991 Sian Walters walterssian@hotmail.com karen_knighton@hotmail.com 1993 Graeme Daykin 1994 Mary Clegg & Liz Ross Martyn, Charlotte Dalton Mary.Clegg@st-marys.nhs.uk

Cambridge Handel Opera Group

We are keen to see the number of Year Group

1974 Nigel Hirst

graeme.daykin@btinternet.com

Thursday 12 May

alumni-office@sel.cam.ac.uk

andrew.millinger@virgin.net

1992 Karen Knighton

Saturday 23 April

contacted at ruthsaunders@yahoo.com.

jwitrevelyan@onetel.net.uk ddenton@ddunlopd.freeserve.co.uk

be mailed for the reunion lunch in August.

1978) is happy to hear from you. She can be

Charlottedalton@hotmail.com Liz.RossMartyn@jcdecaux.co.uk 1995 Jonathan Halliwell hallisax@yahoo.com 1996 Ruth Longmaid ruthlongmaid@hotmail.com 1997 Claire Wood cw@rapidcharge.co.uk

Mitre Players, Selwyn College’s Theatre Society came strikingly to life in late April with a week long season of Peter Shaffer’s critically acclaimed and popular psychological drama, Equus.

Performed in town in the intimate L-shaped Play Room in St Edward’s Passage, the brilliant production played to very good houses.

Though the cast came from several colleges, the leading female role of Hester Salomon saw a convincing portrayal of this repressed workaholic magistrate by a Selwyn first year English student, Amelia Worsley. Nearly all of the production crew were from Selwyn ably led by final year Modern Languages student Ms Charlie Masding as producer. Special mention must be made of Stage Manager Lara Crow and in particular for her simple but stunning horse masks.

1999 Dominic Ashcroft dominic.ashcroft@GS.com 2000 David Cockayne david.cockayne@cantab.net 2001 Jack Butler, James Thomson &

The play represented the directorial debut of both Daisy Black and Lucy Barnes, again first year English students. Even the ever hard to please student press of Cambridge was effusive

Amit Bhola

with praise, Varsity declaring the production,

Keeping in Touch

j.butler.01@cantab.net

“a mature performance of an amazing but

Saturday 23 October

We are always pleased to hear from you so do

James.Thompson44@hotmail.com

difficult script”, and describing it as, “excellent

stay in touch.

and a fantastic debut for

1882 Society Lunch. By invitation only.

bhola18@hotmail.com

Saturday 30 October

For change of details, news or any other

page02_1_1.cfm

Reunion Dinner for the year of 1985. For details contact Vanessa Webster, Email: Vanessa@vanessawebster.com

Alumni enquiry please contact Sandra Stops at the Alumni Office or by Email: alumnioffice@sel.cam.ac.uk

both directors”.

USA Alumni on the East Coast Ruth Saunders (SE 1978)

All members of Selwyn should look forward to

ruthsaunders@yahoo.com

a sustained period of theatrical brilliance and

John Whitehead (SE 1972)

innovation from our own Mitre Players.

j_whitehead@bellsouth.net

Revd Philip Raymont (SE 2000)

Selwyn Volume VIII Summer 2004 Published by: The Development Office, Selwyn College, Cambridge CB3 9DQ Telephone: 01223 741582 Fax: 01223 471797 email: alumni-office@sel.cam.ac.uk Design and production: Cameron Design & Marketing Limited. 01353 860006 www.cameron.uk.com

Page 11

website: www.sel.cam.ac.uk