The Chadsian: Easter 2004

THE CHADSIAN EASTER 2004

EXAM RESULTS 2004 The College’s finalists have achieved the best results in the College’s history, with 20% gaining a First Class degree and a further 63% gaining Upper Seconds. The Principal commented, “I am delighted to say that the Graduands this year have turned in the best academic performance in the College’s history. They have every reason to be proud, and I personally thank them all for giving the College reason to be proud.”

GYM RELOCATION Due to the replacement of the College’s boiler, the Gymnasium will be relocated to the basement of Main College, giving much more space and the opportunity to add new equipment, which will be of benefit to the whole College, and the sports teams in particular.

NEW ROWING ASSOCIATION The St Chad’s College Rowing Association was launched in June 2004 to encourage continued involvement by alumni in College rowing activities and social events. Please see the article on page 9 and the application form enclosed for further details.

CENTENARY EXHIBITION Alumni are welcome to visit an exhibition celebrating the history of the College entitled Non Vestra Sed Vos: St Chad’s College 1904-2004, which will be on display in Palace Green Library from 4 - 29 November.

CAROLYN WILCOX It is with immense regret that we announce the death of our Librarian, Carolyn Wilcox. Carolyn has fought a lengthy battle against cancer for some years now and she did this with her customary optimism and spirit.

These characteristics have inspired many students of St Chad’s College who had the privilege of being her tutees. At her funeral at the Parish Church of St Michael and All Angels, Witton Gilbert, the Parish Priest in his excellent address quoted one of these tutees who had written to Carolyn during her final illness. This tutee told Carolyn that she owed her new-found positive outlook on life and belief in herself to her College Tutor. This was a tribute indeed. St Chad’s College has lost an excellent member of staff and a friend and we are diminished by her death.

MOVING ON… FROM ST CHAD TO ST EDMUND Michael Hampel When Isaiah said, “Here am I, here am I” he perhaps did not expect to receive a job offer from the Dean of St Edmundsbury Cathedral. I have received such an offer and it is with much pleasure that I shall be moving to Bury St Edmunds and with much regret that I shall be leaving Durham.

I have been associated with Durham for 18 years now and with St Chad’s for 5 years: as SCR President, College Tutor, Acting Senior Tutor, Senior Tutor and Director of Development and even Acting Principal.

On the last night of term the Junior Common Room gave me a gold fob watch as a leaving present and, in their annual “St Chad’s Oscars” ceremony, the Lifetime Achievement Award. I’m only 36…

St Chad’s College is a remarkable community of people who are keen to make things work. There is no scratching of chins or shaking of heads: be it from staff, students or alumni. People pursue success but have a clear understanding of personal responsibility.

This marks St Chad’s College out from many similar institutions and makes the “Chad’s Experience” one which is creative and fulfilling.

My role here has been chiefly articulated by the provision of academic and pastoral support for the student body. I have found this creative and fulfilling: largely, I think, because helping a person to put pieces of a jigsaw together means that you share in the picture which emerges. That is a rare privilege.

Of course, in addition, I have thoroughly enjoyed my work amongst the alumni of this College. What a splendid and diverse group of people. Our gatherings in Durham and London have been huge fun and it is so heartening to find so much serious affection for an alma mater as they have for St Chad’s College. I sincerely hope that the Alumni Association and the St Chad’s College Foundation go from strength to strength and I think they will do so in the safe hands of Alex Standish who has already taken over the development brief from me and takes over the alumni brief when I leave in mid-September.

My thanks to you all for your friendship, encouragement and support over the years.

NON VESTRA SED VOS

THE CENTENARY FESTIVAL SERVICE: A PERSONAL REFLECTION Mervyn Ellis (1948-51) The sun shone but a chill wind blew across Palace Green; “Cold!” someone says, “you should have been here in 1947, or was it ’46? That was cold, and there was no central heating in College.” A glance back in gentle mode but our Centenary is not just for looking back, and this morning in Chadstide was the brightest and warmest anticipation and expectancy. The service was to begin at 11 o’clock but an earlier start to the day was necessary for many. Preparation by people on all sides, quite extraordinary in expertise and thoroughness yet in quietness and imperceptible manner, the slight rehearsal here, and there, guidance given for those who asked, kindly reminders for whoever hovered and hesitated, and this only the surface of weeks, nay, months of planning.

Archbishop consulted with Dean – 0930 hours – Organ Scholar with Choir, Vergers obligingly and generously covering a wandering brief, Bishops asking, Clergy too, each drifting eastwards towards the Chapter House; westwards could be seen all sorts and conditions encountering one another. How deserved a sigh of relief in thanksgiving, from – I cannot begin to mention names – as last instructions were given as the Procession formed in the Chapter House; still a gentle murmur “now I go in front of him… or do I follow him?” A pleasing event took place at this moment in the Chapter House as the Very Reverend Harold Crichlow, Dean Emeritus of Barbados Cathedral (St Chad’s 1958-1960), was presented with an Honorary Fellowship of the College. The Vice-Chancellor of the University and the Right Worshipful Mayor of the City had been conducted to their seats and the Dean then escorted Her Majesty’s Vice Lord Lieutenant of the County of Durham before welcoming the five or six hundred congregation.

It was 11 o’clock: the Procession began, led by Thurifer, Crucifer and Acolytes, concluding with the Archbishop’s Chaplain carrying the Primatial Cross before the Archbishop of York. Words of the opening hymn rang out ‘Christ is made the sure foundation, and the precious corner-stone’ confirming the faith of Chad’s ‘And her confidence alone.’ The Principal welcomed the Archbishop and the service moved on; Penitence, Ministry of the Word, Offertory. Liturgy of the Word recognised the history of College, its beginnings, traditions upon which it was founded; its work and aspirations over the years. Reflections upon the sanctity of our Patron Saint, upon the College’s Founder and first Principal, Douglas Horsfall and Stephen Moulsdale,

and a reading from Ecclesiasticus reminded us of a humility which was Chad’s rule of life. All this was presented by members of College and concluded with Stanford’s setting of Psalm 100 in thanksgiving. There is no lesser word than superb for the College Choir’s singing nor for the Organ Scholar, Daniel Sandham’s directing. With thoughtful devotion they sang A Litany for St Chad, the music composed by the Organ Scholar. It was one among many musical gems.

A Pilgrimage was the Offertory when the Archbishop led a procession to the Sanctuary where symbols of college life and activities were laid before the High Altar; the whole congregation joined the procession singing ‘For all the Saints’, with the most exhilarating and brilliant extemporization between each verse played by James Lancelot, the Cathedral Organist.

Quietness descended as the Ministry of the Sacrament began; the Eucharistic Prayer and Holy Communion; may I alter one word in a line from John Betjeman? ‘… Christ at this Durham Altar I offer myself to Thee’ must surely have been the prayer of each one, in dedication. The closing hymn could be none other than ‘Sons of St Chad – great bishop and confessor…’ with a triumphal descant, again composed by the Organ Scholar.

We left the Cathedral after God’s Blessing and Peace were given, to the strains of the organ playing part of Louis Vierne’s Second Symphony; the sun still shone and a wind blew, but thoughts winged upward and onward like the Centenary Balloons the Mayor released, towards College’s bicentenary. We were not looking back: I wonder what the celebration will be like; will ‘Sons of St Chad’ still be sung, and a top ‘G’?

In the biography of the late Sir Peter Ustinov, Chancellor of the University of Durham 1992-2004, he recounts his impression of his inauguration, concluding that ‘An appreciation of the past lends credibility and confidence to a vision for the future.’ (John Miller, Peter Ustinov – Gift of Laughter, Weidenfeld & Nicholson: 2002, page 210)

It is this appreciation that has been the guiding thought, the sharpened focus, for all who have prepared for or are taking part in this Centenary Celebration, indeed, who have taken their part over the hundred years which have gone before us.

The Centenary Festival Service took place in Durham Cathedral on Saturday 6 March 2004.

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ALUMNI CENTENARY BALL Caroline Gaulter (2000-03) According to the Principal’s prediction, in 2104 it will be St Chad’s University celebrating the Bicentenary of the institution’s foundation. However, 2004 will certainly go down in history as the year when St Chad’s College, still small, friendly and possessing an unfavourable opinion of the neighbouring colleges, put on a fantastic show for its 100-year anniversary. For alumni, this culminated in a weekend of festivities at the beginning of April. It was a chance to be reunited with old friends, to reminisce and to learn from other year groups how the Chad’s spirit has remained strong, despite many superficial changes to the College over the decades.

Such a momentous occasion drew all generations of Chadsmen together and this sense of community was evident in the Chapel service on the Saturday morning.

Tenors and basses dominated the hymns, proving that the female alumni among us are still very much outnumbered, but all enjoyed the opportunity to be gathered in worship once again and to boom out ‘Sons of St Chad’ with the utmost enthusiasm. The afternoon found Chad’s alumni on a tour of the Town Hall, where we were congratulated on the College’s achievement by the wife of the Mayor, and many made the most of the chance to give a ‘royal wave’ from the balcony over the market square.

Of course, the ball formed the highlight of the weekend. A champagne reception marked the start of the evening and we were then seated at tables in the Moulsdale Hall and the Quad. The absence of freezing February temperatures meant that no one could mistake this ball for Candlemass, but the buzzing chatter, no doubt helped by the wine flowing in traditional Chad’s style, provided an atmosphere as friendly as that at any other celebration within the College walls.

The Big Band and the disco that followed saw all generations partying the night away, but for many the opportunity to catch up with peers and learn where postChad’s life had taken them was the most valuable part of the night. Mixing with other year-groups, it was clear to me that all those present felt a remarkable affection for Chad’s. For some, many decades had passed since their student days, but they were still eager to tell of their happy memories and to learn about the College today. That Chad’s can create such a sense of fondness in those who pass through its doors certainly says a great deal.

Thanks must, of course, go to all College staff involved in organising such a spectacular event. While many may have assumed that the maturity of alumni would make the evening a less wild affair than student balls, the morning-after-the-night-before demonstrated that we are still capable of being unruly. Indeed, the mystery remains today about just how so much port ended up on the floor. Let’s hope this was the first of many Chad’s alumni balls so that next year we can make up for all those spillages!

THE CENTENARY FILM Matt Flint, Editor As part of the Centenary celebrations, the College commissioned a film so that current students could have something solid to take away this year to keep the memories alive, so that alumni could see how their College was thriving in its Centenary year, and so that prospective students could get a taste of life at St Chad’s.

A small but extremely competent crew was formed and with generous funding from the JCR, a brand new tripod and camera were purchased and filming started straight away. The whole year has been a learning curve, from simple interview techniques to knowing what makes a good shot and whether or not there is sufficient light. As is the way with all of these projects, people don’t generally appreciate just how much time and effort is involved with planning, phone calls, meetings, setting up, watching and editing the footage – the list is endless! The whole team have worked really hard, setting up interviews and arranging everything to make sure it runs smoothly and I’m sure that the final cut will do them justice.

There have been many challenges along the way, not least fitting the film in alongside academic commitments, but I think the main pitfall was finding a balance of footage to incorporate the different audiences so as to be informative without explaining too much of what people already know. We have, consequently, tried to get as many people involved in the making of the film as possible. This ranges from covering all aspects of College life to including a wide variety of narrators for the final edit. Making the Centenary Film has been a fun and exhilarating experience and St Chad’s College is waiting with baited breath for the premiere!

We will be in contact shortly when the Film has received its final edit and will be available for purchase on DVD.

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NEWS FROM THE JUNIOR COMMON ROOM

A VIEW FROM THE MIDDLE COMMON ROOM

Mark Wallace, Senior Man

Laura Upperton, MCR President

The first term in office, as far as I can tell from the collected files and advice of my varied predecessors, is by far the most complex for a new Senior Man and a new JCR Executive Committee.

Establishing where one stands both within that Exec and within the JCR and College as a whole at the same time as doing one’s own exams and supporting others doing theirs is a daunting but fascinating process.

This has been a year of great change for the MCR: a year that has seen Trinity Hall open its doors, the College turn one hundred years young and (sensibly) put a woman in charge of things.

The initial obstacle to surmount was that of explaining to my friends from Hill Colleges and from other Universities what the title Senior Man actually means, which is nowhere near as easy as it may sound (this may, admittedly, be due more to the intellectual standard of my friends than the complexity of the role).

The general impression of an Exec’s first term is that they knuckle down to their exams, resulting in a quiet term for the JCR. As is often the case, a perceived lull is not necessarily an actual one. This term, the Social Committee have organised a Launch Party in the newly covered quad, a sun-drenched Garden Party, the first Jam Night for several years and a ‘Myths and Legends’ Formal. Another Committee has worked immensely hard to organise the Yearbook, and the Candlemas Committee has just been established and planning begun for next year’s Ball. The Sportsmen’s Formal saw a healthy number of Colours and Half-Colours being awarded, whilst the Summer Ball, hosted at Lumley Castle, is expected to be one of the largest, most stunning events of the year (it will occur a few days after I write this).

Academically, the fraught exam period has yet to bear fruit, as the results will not be announced for another week or so, and the general feeling seems to be one of relief that the exams are over. During the exams, excellent use was made of the College’s facilities, both old (the “library family” moved in and seemed to stay there 24/7 for the exam period) and new (similarly, the quad became a second home to those who wanted to revise and soak up the sun at the same time).

Looking ahead, we are all honoured to get the chance to initiate the new intake of Freshers, the one hundred and first, into the traditions and spirit of the College and I personally am honoured to be the first Senior Man of the second century of St Chad’s, which will hopefully see as much success as the last.

Postgraduate life has been great fun; we have had some great parties at Trinity Hall, hosted some interesting member-led seminars in the Horsfall Room, learnt a lot about wine (in the academic sense, naturally) and forged some lasting friendships. I personally see the expanding MCR as holding a crucial place at the heart of the college: it is so important to bring postgraduate students together on a regular basis as many of us work independently, often in isolation.

The year officially began with a matriculation ceremony in the SCR followed by dinner. This was swiftly followed by Halloween and Thanksgiving parties as well as formal dinner most Tuesdays. We joined the Principal for dinner in November followed by drinks and much singing with the Senior Tutor in the SCR. We celebrated Christmas with punch in the Horsfall Room and dinner for thirty-two at Ricardo’s.

We started the Epiphany term with a Chinese New Year Party at Trinity Hall; at the end of February, the MCR took a weekend trip to Edinburgh. Numerous Chad’s Week events dictated a high postgraduate presence in College with many members attending the Principal’s Feast, the Murder Mystery Formal, the Chad’s Day Procession and the firework display. The MCR hosted its own Chad’s Week event - a wine tasting evening with Prof Jeremy Dibble. The evening was tremendously enjoyable and owing to popular demand, we are repeating the evening in the middle of June with the SCR and new JCR exec in the Quad.

The Easter term has been a bit more sedate thus far.

Exam time naturally dictates peace and quiet but now all the stress is over, things are beginning to pick up.

Organised events so far include a special MCR formal with our tutors, a tour of the upper levels of the Cathedral, our eagerly awaited wine tasting, the college Summer Ball, lots of BBQs at Trinity Hall and another Away Weekend, this time to the Lake District.

I think it would be true to say that the MCR has had an eventful year. But if you still don’t believe me, take a look at the photo albums on the new MCR Website, www.dur.ac.uk/stchads.mcr!

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CHAPEL CHOIR REPORT

SONS

Daniel Sandham, Organ Scholar

The Rev’d H Lee (1950-55)

Since the last Chadsian the level of activity in the Chapel Choir has been unprecedented. December’s Advent Procession in Durham Cathedral was the best attended in some years and the Choir gave magnificent performances of Palestrina’s Matin Responsory and Wood’s O thou the central orb. Plans are now underway for the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Advent Procession next year which promises to be a tremendous occasion.

After the hearty singing of ‘Sons of St Chad’ in Durham Cathedral at the Centenary Festival Service, someone asked, “Who was the E. Thoyts who was responsible for the words and music?”

The Epiphany Term was a monumental term in the College’s life, and this was reflected in the Choir’s activities. In February the Choir sang Evensong at Lincoln Cathedral, which was our first non-Durham cathedral visit in several years and an ideal place to restart our cathedral visiting. The proportions and the beauty of Lincoln Cathedral are awe-inspiring, and an added bonus was being welcomed by a Chadsman, Lincoln’s new Precentor, Canon Gavin Kirk. The Choir sang Stanford’s Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis in C and Ireland’s Greater love hath no man. A memorable day was rounded off with dinner in a Lincoln restaurant.

The Centenary Week kicked off with Choral Evensong in the Cathedral on the Eve of St Chad, at which the Choir sang John Joubert’s evening anthem O Lorde, the maker of al thing. Five days later an enlarged Chapel Choir was back in the Cathedral for the Centenary Festival Eucharist, presided over by the Archbishop of York, and heaving with jubilant music. Fifty singers, including alumni and friends from other colleges, accompanied by the Cathedral Organist, James Lancelot, joined together in what must be one of the most prestigious services at which the Choir has ever sung. So forceful was the sound that latecomers at the northwest door were seen to jump with fright as the Choir launched into the introit hymn! The Cathedral resounded with Stanford’s Jubilate in B flat, and the motets at communion were Mozart’s Ave verum corpus and Haydn’s Agnus Dei from the Little Organ Mass.

The Easter Term has been a little quieter, although members of the Choir sang for the Patronal Festival Mass at St John’s, Chevington, in Northumberland, where the Vicar is Chadsman Fr Mike Dixon. The weekly round of Sundays and solemnities has continued in the Chapel, with the introduction in Eastertide of Peter Jones’ rousing congregational Glory to God. As the year draws to an end we can look back on what has been an unforgettable year for very many reasons, and look forward to the Dedication Festival, another cathedral visit and the Advent Procession next term.

OF

ST CHAD

As no one seemed to know, I decided to do a little research. I have some old Crockford’s Clerical Directories, including one for 1904, the year of the College’s foundation, and was intrigued to find there a Reverend Ernest Thoyts. Since 1889 he had been Rector of Ashe, in Hampshire and in the Diocese of Winchester.

Here he had followed the Reverend Francis Walter Thoyts, who was in fact the patron of the living. It looked very much as if the two gentlemen (both of whom were graduates of Oriel College, Oxford) were perhaps brothers, and that Ashe was a family living.

Was Ernest the author of ‘Sons of St Chad’? If so, what was the connection with the College?

Crockford’s for 1929 shows that the patronage of the living had been vested in the Society for the Maintenance of the Faith, a strongly Anglo-Catholic body.

Was Catholic Churchmanship the link between Ernest Thoyts and St Chad’s College? Were the Thoytses associated in late 19th century Anglo-Catholicism with other leaders like Douglas Horsfall and the gentrified founders of the College like Mrs Warde-Aldam? I have an old copy of the Methuen Little Guide to Hampshire, which tells me that the old church at Ashe had been rebuilt in 1878, during the incumbency of the Rev’d Francis Walter Thoyts, and was consequently “in admirable order and beautifully fitted,” and it was tempting to guess that this was on High Church lines.

Crockford’s is, as we all know, addictive, so nothing could have stopped me consulting the current volume.

There I found that Ashe is now submerged in a group of parishes for which the Diocesan Board of Patronage acts as a patron, and the incumbent by accident or design is at any rate a Chad’s man in the person of Michael Stephen Kenning (St Chad’s College, BA, 1968).

It is possible to end on a literary note, for Ashe is one of the parishes connected with the Reverend George Austen and his family, and was certainly known to his daughter Jane. There is a story that it was at Ashe Hall that Jane waited for the proposal of marriage which never came. Our Vice Principal at St Chad’s, Fr Cant – “Reggie” – would have relished this detail.

St Chad’s should perhaps add Ashe to Hooton Pagnell and Pontesbury as one of those places of grateful association in the history of the College.

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(HIV/AIDS prevention) and renewable energy technology, such as energy-saving stoves and solar drying of fruits and vegetables.

INTRODUCING THE NEW TRAIDCRAFT FELLOW Titus Itegereize has recently joined St Chad’s College on a 6 month Traidcraft Fellowship. We spoke to him to find out about his background and the work he will be doing here.

Titus, tell us about yourself.

I am the Chairman and Chief Agricultural Economist of the Family Alliance for Development and Cooperation (FADECO) based in Karagwe District, Kagera Region, Tanzania, East Africa. I have a Master’s degree in Agricultural Economics and Business Management from the University of New England, New South Wales, Australia, a BSc degree in the same discipline from the University of North Carolina, Greensboro, USA, and Diplomas in Agriculture and Cooperatives from the University of Sokine Morogoro, Tanzania, and the University of Agriculture, Sofia, Bulgaria, respectively. I have had much experience in the Agricultural sector in Tanzania, holding various positions in Administration and Training. Before coming to the UK, I was a General Manager of the Karagwe District Cooperative Union, buying and processing coffee from the small and marginalized farmers, transporting it to auctions and exporting it to European countries.

Some of the Fair Trade labelled Africafe bought from British supermarkets is grown in this district.

What is life like for the people of Karagwe?

More than 90% of the population of the Karagwe District is engaged in subsistence agriculture as a main economic activity, followed by livestock keeping. 35% of the land used to be arable, constituting relatively fertile soils with good climate potential for high levels of crop and livestock production. The remaining 65% of the land is being planted with trees, which makes it more environmentally friendly. The district was severely affected by the influx of refugees from Rwanda and Burundi in the aftermath of the 1994 genocide.

Tell us some more about FADECO. What areas is it currently working in?

FADECO’s mission is to promote sustainable utilization of the natural resources manifested in the community free from poverty, hunger and disease. It is currently specialising in the field of Technology Development and Transfer in Agriculture, especially the promotion of sustainable organic farming, food processing and marketing. It is also involved in other areas, especially low-cost housing technology, Information and Communication Technology, health

During 2003, the economic situation in Karagwe deteriorated with continued decreases in coffee prices in the world market. Liberalization of the coffee trade has begun in the district but the coffee prices have not improved, with local traders using the excuse that the price on the world market is not good. The international companies involved in the coffee trade are also suppressing prices at auctions, while taking huge profits. This is caused by the small number of buyers at the auction at Moshi, held weekly during the coffee season.

How is FADECO involved in International Trade?

FADECO exports 5-7 containers (90-135 tonnes) of clean coffee on Fair Trade terms to the UK and Holland each season, which only represent around 2% of the total production. The district has some 40,000 coffee farmers, which means that the premium obtained from Fair Trade Organisations is actually very small when shared among them, and is insufficient to liberate the marginalized farmers.

The farmers produce some of the highest quality hard arabica and robusta coffee available in East Africa, and FADECO is urging more Fair Trade Organisations to focus on the Karagwe Coffee to help liberate the farmers trapped in poverty.

In 2004, FADECO has decided to consolidate farmers’ linkage to markets and has adopted a new approach of farmer capacity building and empowerment, which will culminate in the training of farmers in entrepreneurship skills and the construction of solar dryers. However, FADECO has severely limited funding and resources to realise these objectives, and faces the challenge of motivating farmers to utilise technology with little or no direct supervision. In this context, it is inviting more partners to support and work with the organisation in a variety of ways to alleviate poverty.

How did you become involved with Traidcraft?

Over the past few years, FADECO has been involved in the promotion of dried fruit and vegetables, using solar dryers at the grassroots level. It has raised awareness of the plight of marginalized farmers and formed production groups, most of which are engaged in drying sweet bananas. Due to poor management and a lack of entrepreneurial skills, the women who obtain small loans fail to produce crops for the market. The problem is exacerbated by the low domestic prices offered for dried bananas, which fail to cover the farmers’ investments. FADECO’s diagnostic survey recog-

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nised that the Church, as a propagator of morals and Christian ethics, has a mission to engage in the practical realisation of its preaching, by offering leadership and development for her children, enabling sustainable development and promoting love through faith and justice. The study also highlighted the need for FADECO to work more closely with Fair Trade Organisations in Europe, who have much experience of and devotion to trading with exploited, neglected and isolated rural communities. Traidcraft was identified as an organisation to work in partnership with FADECO, primarily through supporting the marginalized Christian women and enabling them to work towards sustainable development. I am in the UK as a Traidcraft Fellow at St Chad’s College from April – September 2004, where I will study and analyse the experiences of women in developed societies to create a model applicable to the Tanzanian situation.

What can we do?

I hope that this interview will inspire all who read it to use Traidcraft and other Fair Trade products and to promote the plight of the poor communities in Tanzania, so that the Lord’s New Commandment might be fulfilled: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another as I have loved you. By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13: 34-35).

See www.fadeco.org for more information.

ST CHAD’S COLLEGE ARCHIVE The College is fortunate in having preserved a very extensive archive which documents its history from its foundation to the present day. Housed in the Research Library, the archive was initially organised and catalogued by Michael Brydon, our former archivist, and is continually expanding as material is donated by alumni and former staff.

A selection of unique documents, letters and photographs will be displayed at the University Library on Palace Green during our forthcoming centenary exhibition – Non Vestra Sed Vos: St Chad’s College 19042004. The exhibition will be launched at 6.45pm on Thursday 4 November and will remain on display until Monday 29 November. Admission is free and we plan to produce a small commemorative catalogue of the exhibits.

If any alumni or former staff have any College-related documents or photographs which they would like to have preserved in the archives for future generations, we would be delighted to receive donations or bequests.

THE COLLEGE PLAY Kate Kemp and Pippa Goodyer-Hill Despite the usual problems with precipitation this year’s talented troupe of Chad’s actors and actresses beat the elements with their animated rendition of Goldsmith’s ‘She Stoops to Conquer’. A play of love and buffoonery was brought to life in the intimate atmosphere of the College’s Centenary Quadrangle. As the Pimms and champagne flowed offstage, Midsummer Madness’ portrayal of drunken revelry was enacted onstage by Jenny Kemp, Ellie Hunt, Nat Barclay and Daniel Ward perhaps a little too convincingly!

Goldsmith’s ‘Liberty Hall’ saw a few blips and a good deal of theatrical banter but overall a performance where the characters’ pizzazz made up for an occasional lack of polish. Scene changes were speedy and despite the excess of air kisses, bonnets, sequins, lace and satin on the part of the ladies it was the gentlemen’s hairpieces and fashions that stole the show!

Any marriage between Christopher Beaver and Kate Oatley (Mr and Mrs Hardcastle) would deserve a flyon-the-wall documentary and sure enough the sparks flew between the garrulous sycophant and the socially dominant but geographically unaware Mrs Hardcastle.

As the misunderstandings and misjudgments escalated into chaos, the superbly captured bashful blunders of Daniel Deering (Marlow) and the progressively more beetroot Beaver caused great mirth, onstage and off!

Toby Strutt played the role of an ‘awkward booby’ who was ‘no friend to the ladies’ with a ridiculously convincing stupidity and Miss Hardcastle’s chameleon personality was well-established by Katherine Mitchinson. Matthew Brook and Alex Somerfield were a notable presence on the stage as Hastings and Miss Neville, and both made an excellent debut into Chad’s thespianism. Despite his changing personality the Landlord’s (Michael Weaver/Alex Duncan) performance was both comical and memorable and of the minor characters, Eloise Layzell’s rustic charms and John Thompson’s comic accompaniment to Hardcastle’s antics shone through.

Overall, Goldsmith’s topsy-turvy world of mistaken identities was effectively and enjoyably adapted for its modern audience by directors Mark Hankinson and Alex Duncan, although we feel that perhaps the farcical elements of Goldsmith’s play were brought out at the expense of its subtleties. Maybe this is no bad thing for a Chad’s audience who meet the eccentricities of these unique characters daily!

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AFTER SIXTY YEARS: MEMORIES CHAD’S COLLEGE, DURHAM, 1936-40

OF

S.

Hilary W. Jackson (1936-48) I came up to St Chad’s College in the autumn of 1936 in order to read for a degree and to qualify for ordination in the Church of England. Dr Moulsdale, Principal of the College had interviewed me earlier in the year and offered me a place, but subsequently he had retired and Dr C. E. Whiting, former vice-principal, was in charge.

The main College buildings were 29 North and 1 South Bailey, opposite the entrance to the Cathedral canons’ close. The college housekeeper was still Miss Moulsdale, sister of the former principal, and her stately progress around the College was always heralded by the sniffles of her Pekinese pugs. The butler ruled the dining hall. Was it Charley Bell? He had a fund of humorous barman’s stories. I still recall being surprised by the colour of the water served at table. It was brown, either from the ancient pipes of the Bailey or the peaty moors of Weardale, and for an innocent moment I thought that it might be free beer!

dress was obligatory. Evening Prayer was sung to plainchant, and pairs of students took turns as cantors.

The standard of music seemed high to me, and was certainly enjoyable. S. Chad’s Day was always celebrated in style, both in Chapel, with Solemn High Mass, and also in Hall. In preparation for that I remember the Principal announcing that the Bishop had granted a dispensation from the Lenten feast for the celebration.

I think, or perhaps imagine, that Lent was marked by cheese and vegetable pie on Wednesdays, and fish pie on Fridays. On S. Chad’s Day the meal was a feast, to which the JCR subscribed drink, and it was followed by a concert presented by talented students. It usually included a pantomime that was full of topical allusions to College and University personalities and issues.

War with Germany had been declared before my last year began and it affected everyone’s hopes and plans, although I cannot recall whether it affected our numbers. The effects of call-ups and conscription became noticeable in the sports clubs as the year progressed.

When conscription was introduced ordinands within two years of their ordination were reserved occupations, with the possibility of being directed to service chaplaincies after initial curacies. Younger students were liable to call-up according to age.

There were between fifty and sixty students. This photograph shows some 53 students, including Senior Man Sydney Evans, later Dean of King’s College, London and then Salisbury Cathedral.

By the time of finals in 1940, France had been overrun by Hitler’s Blitzkrieg and the BEF had been evacuated via Dunkirk. Durham became one of the dispersal centres for rescued troops, and I have never forgotten the experience of coming out of the examination room on Palace Green to see countless bodies of grey faced soldiers, mostly from a Scots regiment, lying on the grass basking in the sun and trying to come to terms with their experience. Although we tried to talk to them, they were still in a state of shock.

Attendance at the university course was obligatory.

Attendance was marked and a certain proportion had to be attended to ‘Keep Term’. I narrowly escaped exclusion by this rule. The Censor was Canon Charles Pace, Master of Hatfield. He sent for me at the end of one term to tell me I had not attended sufficient lectures to keep term. I persuaded him to do a recount, which showed that I had just the required quota, as I had reckoned.

Dr Pace was notoriously absentminded and un-observant. During my first year I certainly heard him give the identical lecture two weeks running, and on the second occasion another student took a stray dog into the back of the lecture room and played with it!

That experience contributed to my decision to defer ordination, with the consent of Bishop Williams who had succeeded Hensley Henson, and to volunteer for the army. Subsequently, Principal Brewis welcomed me back as a guest of the College, when on leave, so that I could be near my future wife, a student and later Senior Woman of S. Mary’s.

The College Chapel was an important part of our life.

Morning and Evening Prayer were said daily, and I think that Mass followed Morning Prayer. Academic

I still remember my time at Chad’s as a happy and liberating experience in which I found freedom to read more widely and the opportunity to become an individual, after being a comparative nonentity at school. I am delighted that the College has survived and grown so strong, and so liberally ‘catholic’, and hope that despite the pressures it faces, S. Chad’s will long continue to be a place where the young can discover their identity and potential, in Christ.

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SCCBC SUCCESS Giles Tibbitts, SCCBC Captain of Boats 2003-04 The rowing year of 20032004 will undoubtedly go down in history as the ‘Golden Age’ of St Chad’s College Boat Club. Term began with a record number of Freshers signing their lives away to 6 a.m. starts.

Following the year’s first major event, the newly renamed Hatfield…sorry Novice Cup, came the Senate Cup in which the men’s 1st IV came 8th fastest in the University (although the time was much disputed when it appeared that a Castle crew managed to break the world record for the distance!). Our men’s 1st IV took part in York Head, where it seemed victory was imminent when they decided to overtake a coxless quad late in the race – only to have its steering wire snap and crash into the Chad’s crew, stopping them dead; they nevertheless recovered and finished 6th in the category.

Epiphany Term saw many more inter-collegiate races: Chad’s held a steady and dominating presence in the Pennant’s Series, particularly impressive was our women’s 2nd IV rise of 4 divisions in 3 weeks without a single loss to their name; the men’s 1st IV finished 5th in the whole University and the women’s 1st IV finishing 2nd. The rest of Epiphany Term meant training for the Head of the River Race, a gruelling 7½ kilometres along the Thames: we were hampered by a lack of equipment (with the cox box dying halfway through Women’s Tideway!) and the club captain’s bad back, but that never broke our Remigo Ergo Sum (I row therefore I am) Chad’s attitude. The girls’ resilience and determination was pitted against the elements, through rain… and wind…and hail, to beat last year’s time by a marvellous 90 seconds! The men’s race saw a 1st VIII and Novice VIII taking part, for which selection and training had been intense to say the least: unfortunately terrible weather conditions meant that the race was cancelled less than an hour before it was due to start.

The Summer Term could mean only one thing – the beginning of the glorious Regatta Season, with novice and senior men’s and women’s crews putting in solid performances at York Spring and Summer Regattas, Hexham Regatta, Durham City Regatta and our very own Durham Regatta (“The Henley of the North”).

ST CHAD’S COLLEGE BOAT CLUB 1904-2004: ROWING ASSOCIATION & BOAT HOUSE CENTENARY APPEAL Emma Knight, SCCBC Captain of Women Following discussions with a number of graduates who served as College Boat Club officers, we have decided to mark the Boat Club’s Centenary year by setting up the St Chad’s College Rowing Association. The aim of the Rowing Association is to encourage continued involvement by alumni in College rowing activities and social events. A membership form is enclosed with this issue of The Chadsian.

Rowing Association membership is open to anyone who wishes to support the development of rowing at St Chad’s and all members will be invited to attend rowing competitions in which the College Boat Club is participating, as well as having the opportunity to form their own graduate crews and to attend special social events organised by the Association. The Boat Club will appoint an Alumni Officer with specific responsibility for maintaining links with the Association.

We are also preparing to launch the Boat House Centenary Appeal in October 2004. Although the present boat house has served the Club well for many years, it is now clear that a new building is required as a matter of some urgency in order to satisfy Health and Safety regulations and to ensure that current and future generations of Chad’s rowers have suitable facilities. Plans are being prepared in consultation with the City planners and we are hoping to present our proposals during the autumn term.

Constructing a new boat house which will last for many more generations will not be a cheap project – initial estimates suggest that we will need to raise a sum in excess of £80,000 – but we are convinced that this investment will secure the future of competitive rowing at St Chad’s. Various fundraising initiatives will be announced in the autumn, but donations and pledges from Chad’s alumni will be very welcome. Please remember that under the Gift Aid scheme we can reclaim 28p for each £1 donated by UK income tax payers as long as a Gift Aid Declaration has been received.

Forms and further information are available from the College Development Office.

It has been a very enjoyable year for SCCBC. We haven’t stopped working hard all year and have given it 110%. The very best of luck must go to our new Captain of Boats, Clare Holman, and next year’s crews.

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COLLEGE SPORT

WOMEN’S RUGBY

MEN’S FOOTBALL

Though our team is yet to play a match, and most of us have no idea of the rules, our determination and enthusiasm for the sport is unquestionable, proved by training in all conditions – rain, wind and snow – often with a hangover. We’ve been ably taught how to handle our balls with skill, and remember – don’t apologise, just RECOVER! So we look to the future and the possibility of actually playing a match

After a fantastic start to the season, and then a difficult period before Christmas, the Chad’s A team started the Epiphany Term with a 2-2 draw against New College and then a 4-3 win against Collingwood (having come from behind three times). A minor blip against Grey was experienced before victory over George Stephenson. The team achieved its highest finishing position for three years. Success was also seen by the six-aside team, who cruised to joint third in their league and a quarter-final place in the trophy tournament.

WOMEN’S FOOTBALL After an influx of talented first years, the Women’s Football team this year has seen numerous successes both on an off the pitch. As ever, the players have battled valiantly in the face of adversity (hangovers, lack of players, injuries) and some even suffered broken bones for their troubles (even if it was a result of a tackle made by one of their own team members!). Notable victories have included a match against Hild Bede which saw every member of the Chad’s squad score a goal!

BADMINTON The first real recruitment drive in living memory brought an eager brood of Freshers to the Badminton teams, a number of whom made vital contributions to winning points using rackets, others of whom were particularly keen on the sledging method! A record breaking year for Chad’s Men’s Badminton saw us win not just our first match in two years, but four matches (two by actually playing rather than by default!). The run sadly faltered in the trophy, but we can only take one step at a time! The Women’s Badminton Team also gave 110%, even if their results were not quite as impressive as the men but dedication was definitely shown via a visit to Dryburn.

SQUASH Arguably the greatest achievement of the Chad’s Men’s Squash team this season was the despatch of a strong Hatfield A-team sporting three University players. The home support was definitely appreciated and Graeme Tyndall’s Mercurial performance was memorable, to say the least; allowing his Uni number 8 opponent to go 8-0 up in the final game (just for flair?!), before stealing it back 10-8; leaving the final score at 3-2 to Chad’s. Victories against Cuth’s A (5-0), Cuth’s B (32), Castle (4-0), and of course, Hatfield (3-2) must be acknowledged as proof that Chad’s really is the “Cream of the Bailey”.

MEN’S RUGBY The 2003-2004 season saw a major boost in fortunes for the Rugby Club which is currently the second largest sports club in Chad’s which is also the only Durham college squad with its own coach. A victorious start against Cuth’s launched the winning streak for the squad after a disappointing previous year. The season ended with the team in second place in the 1st Division of the DUAU league table, having achieved victories against all our opponents except for Trevs.

One highlight of the season was a 74-0 thrashing of St John’s, while the Floodlit league matches played at Durham City Rugby Club earned the team a place in the final of the Plate competition.

Sadly, a strong Hatfield side was on form and they carried off the Plate despite our strong showing on the pitch and from the Chad’s supporters in the stand. A first round victory in the University Trophy saw Chad’s defeat Castle, knocking them out of the competition.

The season ended with a very well-attended (and lubricated) Club dinner and awards. Matt Holdstock was named Player of the Year and he takes over as captain from Dave Lewis. During the summer vacation the team is heading to Prague for Chad’s first international rugby tour for some years. The key aims for next season will be to secure the number one place in the 1st Division and to earn another place in the final of the Floodlit competition.

MEN’S HOCKEY After what seemed like a very promising season we finished second from bottom, despite having had a spell in the top spot. Having said this, the standard of hockey has greatly improved over the course of the season. With a good fresher intake and the blossoming of existing players there were some flashes of brilliance from Chad’s MHC once again. Despite some

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injuries to key players, and a lack of goals at times, we persevered. We played Van Mildert three times without beating them, including one floodlit match in front of half the college on a frozen water-based pitch, one match was forced to finish with two minutes to go as the sprinklers came on, and we played one game with nine men – all-in-all a cracking season!

REMIGO ERGO SUM: THE 24-HOUR ERGO The tradition of the gruelling 24-hour ergo started by alumni Rob Cousins and Kev Adams was resurrected this year by Boat Club Captain Giles Tibbitts and Matt Hunt. Preparations began after the Easter holidays, with sponsorship being sought and training commencing..

Luckily, with the ergo taking place at the end of Regatta season and most of the participants being rowers, it goes without saying that a lot of training had been taking place anyway!

On the day itself, the weather held out and the supplies were stacked high. The support was absolutely fantastic with over thirty Chad’s students dragging their duvets and sleeping bags out from their rooms onto the grass in front of the College by the Cathedral to keep the rowers going throughout the night. The singing and joke telling was invaluable at keeping morale high and exhaustion at bay.

Miraculously so many people wanted to take part that we managed to get two ergos on the go, one following in Rob and Kev’s footsteps with two rowers and the other with half-hour stints for anyone who wanted to have a go (aside from Pete Bristow and Greg Roberts who both put in a very admirable 6 hours). At the final count, more than fifteen people took part.

The biggest congratulations should go to Giles Tibbitts for being the driving force behind the project and also for putting in the full 12 hours on the ergo—how he did it nobody knows!

The best news of all is that we managed to raise over £2000, a small amount of which went to the Boat Club to help pay off some of their debts, but the vast majority of which went to the Sir Steve Redgrave Charitable Trust. The Trust supports small disabled and disadvantaged children’s charities that have low administration costs and have difficulties fundraising themselves .

You can still donate money to the Trust via the link below: http://www.justgiving.com/24Row

ALUMNI NOTES

AND

NEWS

David Baldwin (1975-78) was awarded the Royal Victorian Medal in H.M. New Year’s Honours in 2004.

Canon John Gunstone (1945-48) celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood in September last year. He lives with his wife, Margaret, in Didsbury, Manchester. In the spring of this year the Canterbury Press published his twentieth book, “Healed, Restored, Forgiven – Services and Prayers for the Ministry of Healing.”

Charles James (1970-73) has been elected to the Council of the Law Society, representing the Immigration Solicitors of England and Wales.

Kathryn Leather (nee Davenport) (1988-92) worked in the City as a Company Secretary/In-house Legal for a FTSE Listed PLC until “retiring” in 2001, leaving City life behind, moving to Ilkley, West Yorkshire and becoming a full-time Mother.

Stephen Naylor (2000-03) has followed on from his very successful editorship of Palatinate whilst in Durham to become Head of News at Huddersfield’s Home 107.9.

Canon Graham Smith (1971-74), Rector of Leeds and Honorary Canon of Ripon Cathedral, was approved by the Queen in March for appointment to the Deanery of Norwich.

OBITUARIES The college notes with sadness the deaths of the following alumni: The Revd Wilfrid Braithwaite (1938-41) The Revd J E Noel Coleman (1934-37) The Revd Alan Cox (1962-68) was killed in his home in the town of Multan, Pakistan. Since 1997 he had spent some eight and a half months each year teaching English in Pakistan, while spending the summer months at home in Longsight, Manchester.

The Revd John Eagle (1936-39) The Revd Harry Gilligan (1956-59) Tristan Hewins (1998-2001), died recently in a traffic accident in Edinburgh. Tristan was a keen and accomplished college and university rower. His funeral was attended by the College Bursar, and flowers were sent on behalf of the College. Tristan is survived by his parents and sister Kate, who is studying in Edinburgh.

The Revd Alan Messom (1963-65)

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The Chadsian aims to keeps our alumni in touch with the College and with each other. It is published twice a year by St Chad’s College, Durham.

News, articles and photographs to be considered for inclusion in The Chadsian should be sent to The Development Office, St Chad’s College, Durham, DH1 3RH. Fax: 0191 334 3371.

Email: chads.development@durham.ac.uk This edition of The Chadsian and all future issues will be made available on the Alumni section of the College’s website. If you would rather read The Chadsian online, please contact the Development Office with your email address and, rather than send you a paper edition, we will notify you when the next edition is online for you to enjoy.

Please remember to inform us if your contact details change, either by returning to the form below or emailing the Development Office.

DIARY DATES 2004 - 2005 October 6 Michaelmas Term begins 16 Centenary Chapel Dedication Festival (11.00 a.m.) followed by lunch November 4-29 Centenary Exhibition at Palace Green Library Owing to the departure of the Senior Tutor to Bury St Edmunds, we regret that the production of Much Ado About Nothing, scheduled for 11-13 November, has been cancelled.

December 5 Advent Procession (7.30 p.m.: Durham Cathedral) 15 Michaelmas Term ends January 17 Epiphany Term begins March 18 Epiphany Term ends

Name: Address:

Postcode:

April 25 Easter Term begins June 24 Easter Term ends

ST CHAD’S COLLEGE CONFERENCE FACILITIES

Telephone: Email: Years attended St Chad’s College:

SAINT CHAD’S COLLEGE UNIVERSITY OF DURHAM 18 North Bailey • Durham • DH1 3RH Tel: 0191 334 3358 • Fax: 0191 334 3371

chads.development@durham.ac.uk

http://www.durham.ac.uk/StChads

The days are gone when the College could survive on government funding alone. Hence, during the vacations, we open our doors to conference trade. Through conference trade the College is able to generate significant funds which are used to fund our building and renovation projects.

If you are a member of an organisation or an academic body that holds conferences and meetings, please consider using St Chad’s College as your venue. Our rates are very attractive and the College can cater for all conference needs. You would also be supporting your College financially by bringing your business to us!

To enquire about holding a conference at St Chad’s, please telephone 0191 334 3344 or email J.D.Randle@durham.ac.uk, or take a look at the details on the Conference section of the College’s website.

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