Cuthbert's Chronicle Yearbook, July 2022, Issue 14

Cuthbert’s Chronicle St Cuthbert’s SocietyYearbook

Cuthbert’s Chronicle

July 2022 Issue 14

2

Cuthbert’s Chronicle

INSTAGRAM @stcuthbertssociety

@st.cuthberts. society @CuthbertsAlumni

@CuthsSociety @CuthsAlumni

cuthberts.alumnirelations@ durham.ac.uk

durham.ac.uk/ st-cuthberts.society/

Tell your story Please send your contributions and feedback to cuthberts. alumnirelations@ durham.ac.uk

Welcome

July 2019

From Professor Tammi Walker, Principal of St Cuthbert’s Society

I would like to warmly welcome you to my first edition of the St Cuthbert’s Society Yearbook. As you may know, I am coming to the end of my first academic year as Principal of St Cuthbert’s Society, having joined in August 2021. I would like to thank the Cuth’s Community for a very warm welcome to the Society for me and my family. I must say I have had such an interesting, remarkable, and rewarding first year despite the unpredictable experience at the start of the year with the COVID-19 pandemic. Cuth’s students and staff have embraced all the challenges extremely well and I am immensely proud of what they have all achieved in this difficult period, as you will see from this edition of the St Cuthbert’s Society Yearbook.

Let me begin by thanking you for your wonderful contributions to the Society over the years.

On behalf of the Cuth’s students, thank you for your continued support. As you will see later in the yearbook, Cuth’s students are making good use of some of the facilities made possible by the kind alumni donations – refurbishment of House 12 JCR and the audiovisual equipment in the dining hall, to name a few.

As Principal of such as vibrant and exciting Society I have ambitious plans for Cuth’s. I aim to create an environment that is supportive, enabling, and empowering so that our students can become the best they can be. But their Cuth’s connection should not end at graduation.

I wish to ensure that there is a lifetime friendship. Alumni are the backbone of Cuth’s, they provide real value via internships, job opportunities, guidance, project involvement and contacts that can directly translate to new opportunities.

Cuth’s students and staff are amongst the finest in the University. I have enjoyed so much spending time talking and working very closely with our undergraduate and postgraduate students. Our President Alfie Whillis has worked very hard over the year and he and the Executive Committee need to be thanked for everything they have achieved. Dr Mark Miller, SCR President, and Dr Bob Banks, Chair of the Fellows, have also worked closely with me this year to put on some sterling events and it has been splendid to have everyone back in House 12 for events. There are so many ways that you can be involved and contribute to the Society. Many of which I will not have even thought of, so please do get in touch. It would be lovely to hear from you.

The Society has three priorities for the academic year 2022/23 that I would like to ask you to become involved with: 1. Delivering campaigns and strategies to recruit and engage all students, with particular attention to minorities, international students and students from local areas in the North East.

2. Creating a Careers and Opportunities Advisors Scheme that will build strong connections between current and former students. Its aim is to build a network of professional connections that can offer career advice, internship opportunities, and general “real world” support.

3. Developing a new Society Alumni Strategy to increase engagement and event organisation this will incorporate a new Alumni Development Officer post.

If you would like to discuss any of these projects further or visit the Society, please do get in touch. With very best wishes and I hope you all have a lovely Summer.

Professor Tammi Walker, St Cuthbert’s Society Principal

Cuthbert’s Chronicle

4

Contents issue

14

8

July 2022

14

St Cuthbert’s Society 12 South Bailey Durham DH1 3EE +44 (0)191 334 4300 cuthberts.reception@durham.ac.uk Principal: Professor Tammi Walker Email: cuthberts.collegesecretary@ durham.ac.uk Communications Support Officer: Katherine Dodd Email: cuthberts.alumnirelations@ durham.ac.uk Cover Photograph: Katherine Dodd

Printed Copies of Cuthbert’s Chronicle Yearbook can be ordered through the online form for £5 per copy: https://pay.durham.ac.uk/ colleges-and-commonrooms/scs/cuthbertschronicle-yearbook

27

36

4 8 14 17 19 22 24 27 28 30 32 34 35 36 38 40 43 49 51 52 53 54

Welcome to Professor Tammi Walker Retirement of Professor Elizabeth Archibald Dr Bob Banks - Dunelmensis Award Alumni Association Honorary Degrees Ruth Barnett MBE Focus on Alumna Danni Collingridge Moore MBE Remembering Mrs Joan Norton Renovations and Building Work Senior Common Room Bar and Catering News Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Film Project and Bailey Wardrobe Initiative JCR News JCR Events Sports and Societies Awards and Grants Postgraduate Round Up and New Look JCR Tigers’ Lair Discovering Durham Staff Changes Careers and Opportunities Advisors

3

4

July July 2022 2019

Cuthbert’s Chronicle

A Warm Cuth’s Welcome to Professor Tammi Walker Principal of St Cuthbert’s Society & Professor of Forensic Psychology

Current Principal Professor Tammi Walker with Former Principal Professor Graham Towl. House 12 SCR. photograph © andrewheptinstall.com

Tammi Walker became Principal of St Cuthbert’s Society and Professor of Forensic Psychology in the Psychology Department at Durham in August 2021.

Tammi is a Chartered Psychologist and Fellow of the British Psychological Society, Registered Senior Fellow with Advance HE and a mental health nurse by clinical background. Her research interests include forensic psychology and psychiatry, and she has contributed extensively to the development and delivery of interventions with imprisoned women. She is passionate about working with marginalised groups who experience severe health inequalities, and she has considerable expertise in the areas of suicide, self-harm, mental health and sexual violence. She is currently the Principal Investigator on several research grants conducting quantitative and qualitative research throughout the UK.

Cuthbert’s Chronicle

5

Meet The New Principal Tell us a bit about yourself.

Professor Tammi Walker arrived at Cuth’s in August 2021. In this article she talks to VicePrincipal Dr Jon Warren about her career, reflects on her first year at Cuth’s and outlines her vision for the future of the Society.

My background is that I’m a Chartered Psychologist who undertakes research in forensic settings such as prisons and secure psychiatric hospitals. I do a lot of work with women who are in prison, they are a very different population to the male prison population, a much smaller group who have very different issues and problems.

I began my career in this field after my first degree in Psychology at Huddersfield University and went on to do my postgraduate degrees there too. I’m also a trained Mental Health Nurse, after qualifying I worked on an acute psychiatric admissions hospital ward. All this led me to working in Wakefield prison undertaking psychological treatment programmes with the Category A and B offenders in this setting. I was also a wing psychologist, and I did a lot of work with sex and violent offenders in this setting. After gaining my PhD in 2007 I took up a position at Bradford University as a lecturer in Forensic Psychology. While there I undertook research that aimed to develop new interventions to be used in prisons to address issues such as self-harm, suicide, and trauma. I carried on doing this after my move to Manchester University, where I stayed for 8 years as applied researcher and academic in the Offender Health Network. I moved to Durham from Teesside University where I already had a Chair.

I already held a visiting Professor position in the Department of Psychology for several years prior to becoming the Principal of Cuth’s so had a full understanding of Durham University.

What motivated you to apply to become Cuth’s Principal?

I thought it would be a challenge and an interesting job.

As you can see, I like working in challenging and complex environments. I also like the amount of variation there is in the role. It is very exciting and I absolutely love the contact with the JCR, SCR and Fellows. I knew there would never be a dull moment, which is quite true!

6

July 2022 July 2019

Cuthbert’s Chronicle

How have you found your first Year at Cuth’s?

It has gone by really quickly; I can’t believe how quickly. The last few years have been a bumpy ride for everyone due to Covid. But this year the Cuth’s team have managed to address and progress the Society in so many ways such as the exciting two new major construction projects going on, the upgrades to houses 26 and 27 and the new social space at Parson’s Field. Our Chair of College Fellows, Bob Banks won the prestigious Dunelmensis award from the University recognising his work, it was lovely to celebrate that with him. I’m very happy to have an excellent relationship with the SCR and the JCR. I’ve have also really enjoyed the social side of being Principal and connecting with a variety of people linked to the Society.

photograph © andrewheptinstall.com

Going forward what are your priorities for the Society?

I really want us to connect more with our alumni community both locally and globally. The alumni are a huge asset to the Society, and I’d like them to be more involved. I’d also like Cuth’s to do more with the local community, for example building more links with local schools and by working in collaboration with JCR outreach. I also have more work to do with my academic department, I’m going to launch a new Forensic Psychology Research Group, and I have several ongoing national and international research projects to manage. I see the key to developing Cuth’s as being retaining the Society’s traditions but updating and upgrading them, so they are appropriate and relevant for the needs of our community today.

photograph © andrewheptinstall.com Vice-Chancellor Professor Karen O’Brien, Professor Graham Towl and Professor Tammi Walker - St Cuthbert’s Society SCR

photograph © andrewheptinstall.com photograph © andrewheptinstall.com

photograph © andrewheptinstall.com

Professor Tammi Walker with Cuth’s alumna and actor Dr Charlotte Riley in The Bailey Bar.

Cuthbert’s Chronicle

The Principal’s Garden Party

June 2022 Photograph @rhall_photography Professor Tammi Walker hosted the Principal’s Garden Party in 12 South Bailey gardens. It was attended by The Mayor and Mayoress of Durham, Councillor David Freeman and Miss Laura Wilson, alongside students, University staff, SCR members, College Mentors, Fellows and guests.

Music was provided by Cuth’s Choir and Big Band members. The Garden Party coincided with the annual Art Exhibition and was a fantastic beginning to Cuth’s Week.

Photographs by Jon Warren and Alfie Whillis

7

8

8

Cuthbert’s Cuthbert’s Chronicle Chronicle

Retirement of Former Principal Professor Elizabeth Archibald

July 2022 July 2019

Messages from Cuth’s community

Eleanor Barraclough - University Staff Member and Friend

Professor Elizabeth Archibald retired in 2021 after nine years as Principal of St Cuthbert’s Society.

During her time at Cuth’s she made many lifelong friends and left a lasting impression on a generation of students.

Dr Bob Banks -Chairman of St Cuthbert’s Society Fellows Can it really be nine years?

As Chair of the Fellows, I have benefitted from Elizabeth’s unqualified support. Not only has she attended our annual dinners and lectures, whenever possible, but she has facilitated my duties by suggesting some of our superb speakers. The photo below shows Elizabeth enjoying a lighter moment at a pre-lockdown Fellows’ Lecture. My stand-out moment has to be when she asked me who the initials are over the doorway of house 12 belonged to. I did not have a ready answer.

That innocent question led me on a fascinating trail of discovery of the history of houses 12, 8 and 9, which almost certainly wouldn’t have happened without Elizabeth’s prompting. For that and so much more, both personally and on behalf of the Fellows, thank you Elizabeth.

Dr Mark Miller - President of St Cuthbert’s Society Senior Common Room Given that I’m a computational chemist and that Elizabeth is a medievalist, it is not obvious why she was the person who showed me around Durham when I arrived to take up my post in the freezing March of 2013. The link was the briefest of introductions by a mutual former colleague who had written ahead to say I was coming to Durham. That’s all that Elizabeth needed to extend the swiftest and warmest of welcomes, including a very congenial lunch in town. Needless to say, I had joined Cuth’s by the time the coffee was served. Many of us have our unique how-I-met-Elizabeth story, but the underlying theme is always Elizabeth’s innate interest in other people and an offer of practical support. In fact, Elizabeth has looked after so many of us individually at just the right moments that it’s hard to comprehend how one person can be in so many places. She is both an inspiration and a friend.

I met Elizabeth for the first time the night before my job interview at Durham, over drinks to welcome the shortlisted candidates.

By the end of the evening, I had been so impressed by Elizabeth that I told her I was joining Cuth’s regardless of whether I got the job. It was a wise decision: thanks to that first lucky encounter, Cuth’s and Elizabeth have been at the heart of my Durham experience for the best part of a decade, from formals and friendships to career and relationship advice. I remember one breakfast in town where Elizabeth and I were trying to persuade a somewhat shy historian-cum-novelist to join Cuth’s. We assumed he had been scared off by the experience, but he was made of sterner stuff than we anticipated: he joined Cuth’s that same week, and I later married him! Over the years, Elizabeth has become the most extraordinary friend and mentor, as well as godmother to our two babies Magnus and Wulfie. In the acknowledgements to my book published a few years ago, I wrote: ‘Like Halley’s Comet, people like Elizabeth only appear once or twice in a lifetime, and I’m very lucky to have caught her mid-orbit.’

Cuthbert’s Chronicle

Cressida Peever - Writer, Editor, Dramaturg, Artist, Cuth’s Alumna 2014

I went to meet the new Principal in the dining hall one evening in my 2nd year, expecting to stay anonymous in the crowd and listen to a speech (hopefully with a free drink!). I was therefore mortified to be nearly first to arrive and to be greeted by Elizabeth at the door.

Worse – she wanted to know about my interests and opinions – surely pitiful by comparison. But Elizabeth was so genuine and encouraging that my nervousness subsided. When I next encountered Elizabeth she remembered me(!), and – still unsure of why this impressive person should want to speak to me – I vowed to impress her in my own small way, by engaging with all that Cuth’s could offer. My relationship with Elizabeth has taken many forms: she has been my lecturer, my boss, and job referee, and ultimately my friend. But in all of these ‘roles’ she has empowered me to reach further, inspired me to support others, and motivated me to stay curious, meanwhile making me feel I offer something of value to her (although exactly what only she can say). This is true for an entire army of battle-ready Archibald-trained individuals. Knowing her has changed my life and will continue to do so.

Alistair Stewart - Chair of St Cuthbert’s Alumni Association until 2021 Elizabeth is the epitome of what it means to be a member of St. Cuthbert’s Society.

During my time at Cuth’s, the memories of Elizabeth that stand out are her love of formals – being the perfect host for guests in SCR, ensuring everyone was introduced and knowing exactly who have similar interests. Her love of Cuth’s has always been clear for all to see. Elizabeth was always interested in everything that students took part in, and often tried to make it to events if she was free. During my time at Cuth’s, I was involved in the Boat Club, she always enjoyed being kept up to date with the rowing results and tried to make the time to come down to enjoy some of the racing during Durham Regatta. As chair of the Alumni Association, I saw the hard work that Elizabeth did. She was always there to listen to the Alumni Committee, hear stories from the past and help, while showcasing all the fantastic sports & societies that the JCR offers today, thus helping to connect the alumni and student committees.

Elizabeth will be solely missed, but I, on behalf of the Alumni Association, wish her all the best in her retirement and whatever the future holds.

Dan Fox - Alumnus 2017 It is hard to overstate how important Elizabeth was to my experience at Cuth’s. She encouraged me in my studies and in my extra-curricular activities. She introduced me to an array of people from all walks of life. She broadened my reading, art, and theatre tastes. She helped me to pursue my chosen career.

Elizabeth is someone who is interested in everything and everyone. She is someone who students looked up to (and feared a little) - but also someone who students could confide in. Elizabeth always had the time for students. She cared deeply and it showed.

9

Cat May. JCR President 2017-18 Elizabeth has taught me to be kind, to be interested and to be interesting. Elizabeth has worked tirelessly to connect diverse groups of people and disciplines in a way that I have yet to find elsewhere since leaving Durham. When Elizabeth is at an event you are guaranteed to meet new people, have interesting conversations and to be treated no differently than a Dame, a Sir or the most respected professor in the room. Elizabeth is a champion of young minds and, although most of us were terrified of Elizabeth at first, we soon realised her genuine commitment in seeing everybody thrive.

Elizabeth’s ability to bring people together has created a lasting sense of community in Cuth’s and she will be greatly missed by everyone: staff, students and beyond.

One of my fondest memories of Elizabeth is from the open days. Without exception, she would always be there just when everyone was flagging the most with boxes of Krispy Kreme doughnuts hand delivered.

Elspeth Talbot Rice - QC Barrister and Alumna 1989 Elizabeth kindly invited me to give the Fellows’ lecture in 2019 and made the trip an absolute delight for me, even organising lunch with John and Joan Norton. John was the Prinicpal when I was a student. Elizabeth is a tornedo of energy and enthusiasm which carries everyone around her along in its wake. I am sure she will be sorely missed.

Shakespeare Formal.

10

Cuthbert’s Chronicle

July July 2022 2019

A Sonnet for Elizabeth Christopher Sommerville St Cuthbert’s Society Fellow

We honour you, Elizabeth, strong spirit tutelary, Hospitable as ever in your Hildside eyrie airy; Apt at an introduction with preliminary encomium To soothe the ear as deftly as a softly trod harmonium.

Early teacup saucerer, and liberal late pourer, Enthusiast of northern climes, our boreal aurora.

Enlivener of questing minds with quizzes, quips and quiddities, Tolerator (on the whole) of student-like stupidities.

Our up-and-at-’em general, our long-stop at requirement – Impossible to picture you in indolent retirement; So stride your spacious acres of Northumbrianic purlieus, And ponder as you wander ’midst the silvery call of curlews The transcendental mystery ’mongst questions of that ilk – Did medieval ladies really bathe in asses’ milk?

Cuthbert’s Chronicle

11

Memories from Fiona Ellis St Cuthbert’s Society Fellow and Mentor

I am lucky to have known Elizabeth ever since she arrived at Cuth’s. She swept into College brimming with enthusiasm and ideas and soon showed that she had the energy to make them happen. Cuth’s needed a shake up and it got it. It also needed affection so it was fortunate that Elizabeth seemed to fall in love with the place from her first introduction. In her years at Durham she has made Cuth’s a place where everybody wants to join the SCR, where Formals are fun for High Table as well as students and where you can always be sure that Elizabeth will provide you with exactly the right dining partners. Her advocacy and long term support for the students is by now legendary. Cuth’s has always been able to count on her loyalty and pride in the college; I am sure she will continue to offer both but I hope she makes plenty of time to read and write and travel and do all the things that College life and its busyness precluded.

Megan Croll

JCR President (2016-17) and SU President (2018-19)

Harry Lewendon-Evans Former Alumni Relations Officer and Cuth’s Alumnus.

As I’m sure is the case for many others, the years I spent at Cuth’s were some of the happiest of my life, and for that, and so much else, I owe to Elizabeth and all that she did for the Society.

I am so grateful for all the support Elizabeth has given to Cuth’s students over the past nine years. Throughout her time as principal, she has enabled students, and us as student leaders, to explore every idea and ambition by giving us the freedom to shape our own student experiences while providing a solid, inclusive home for us all to come together. Before Elizabeth arrived, Cuth’s had seen just five women JCR Presidents since 1888. As she leaves, we have just seen the eleventh complete her term. This is just one example of how, no matter who you are, where you come from, or what your background is, Elizabeth has cemented a culture in which you can walk into Cuth’s on your very first day to be met with an incredible team of staff ready to make you feel endlessly welcome, and enable you to reach your potential. That, to me, is the embodiment of Cuth’s spirit, and I feel privileged to have been able to attend Cuth’s under Elizabeth’s leadership. I wish her a very happy, very well-deserved retirement.

Saskia Wootton-Cane JCR President 2020-21

I started at Cuth’s as a postgraduate the same year that Elizabeth became Principal, and throughout my time with the Society, it was my pleasure to be able to work closely with her and learn from her, both academically and professionally. Elizabeth was instrumental in creating a welcoming and intellectually adventurous environment, and was thoroughly supportive of the postgraduate community. From the Research Fora to the Inter-MCR Murder Mystery Formals, she was always open to any idea, would offer constructive guidance, and be a constant presence in the postgraduate community.

Read more on the next page about Elizabeth Archibald’s Leaving Fund. https://www.dunelm.org.uk/donations/colleges/st-cuthberts-society-principals-leaving-fund

Elizabeth has been an absolutely defining figure for Cuth’s over the last nine years and her constant yet hands-off support for the JCR has allowed it to flourish uniquely. There is no student in Cuth’s who has not somehow felt Elizabeth’s influence over their time here. Her dedication to the endeavours of students both academically and in theatre, sport, the JCR, and anywhere else, has been unmatched and Cuth’s JCR will miss Elizabeth enormously.

We wish her all the best for her retirement, which we are sure will not be quiet!

Steve Weatherseed St Cuthbert’s Society 1976-79

Elizabeth has led Cuth’s and has encouraged students to be the best they can be. In particular, She has been a great sponsor of the performing arts, and without doubt she has nurtured Cuth’s as an institution passing it across in the best of health. Elizabeth leaves a legacy that will last for a long time, one to be built upon and for which all Cuths students - past, present and future - have just cause to be grateful. She has enriched our lives, directly and vicariously, and from thousands of miles away I sincerely thank her and wish her all the best for the future.

1212

July 2022 July 2019

Cuthbert’s Cuthbert’s Chronicle Chronicle

Support For The Performing Arts Elizabeth Archibald’s Leaving Fund A Message from Professor Elizabeth Archibald As I retire after nine years as Principal of St Cuthbert’s Society, I have been considering how I can support the Cuth’s community in the future.

One of the most exciting aspects of my time in Durham has been admiring the contribution of Cuth’s students in a dazzling series of plays, musicals, operas and concerts. The standard of talent is extraordinarily high, especially as the students are often doing quite unrelated degrees.

Music and drama have long flourished at Cuth’s. Our students are active in our own societies and across the University.

The creative arts underpin so much of the student experience, from the freshers’ play to Christmas concerts; it is often a standout memory of their time here. Cuth’s has a distinguished line of alumni who have gone on to apply to drama schools and conservatoires once they graduate, including: Matt Barber (Actor, Downton Abbey) Charlotte Riley (Actor, Peaky Blinders) Andrew Buchan (Actor, Broadchurch) Rod Clements (Musician, Lindisfarne) Anthony Payne (Musician, composer) Samuel Read (composer, National Film and Television School)

Every year some Durham finalists go on to study music, drama, dance, film or creative writing in the hope of carving out a career, but successfully getting a sought-after place to study at conservatoires, drama schools, film schools, dance and performing arts academies across the country is often only half the challenge.

Funding opportunities to support further study and launch a career in the performing arts are often lacking, which is why we need your support to give them the best start possible. We are setting up the St Cuthbert’s Performing Arts bursary fund: this award of £2,000 - £5,000 will enable a Cuth’s student of limited means each year to make the commitment to further study and training in their craft.

I would be delighted if you could make a gift towards our £30,000 target. This amount will enable us to provide Performing Arts bursaries for the next decade - an invaluable lifeline, particularly in these uncertain times. Gifts can be made online.

All gifts, however small, will mean a great deal to me personally and to current Cuth’s students. https://www.dunelm.org.uk/donations/colleges/st-cuthberts-society-principals-leaving-fund Yours sincerely,

The Senior Common Room has a fund to offer modest support to students who have opportunities to enhance their skills, for instance in summer courses or at the Edinburgh Fringe. This is a huge help, but there is more to be done if we are to nurture the creative talent of our students and help them to pursue their dreams.

Yours sincerely, Elizabeth Archibald

Hannah Moore

Cuthbert’s Chronicle

13

The Senior Common Room Performing Arts Grant.

Lucy Little (2021 award) In July 2021, with the help of the SCR Performing Arts Grant, I performed in a two-week professional touring production of ‘All’s Well That Ends Well’ as part of Castle Theatre Company’s annual summer Shakespeare Tour. With a total of ten performances, we performed to audience sizes ranging from 25 to 150 in a variety of beautiful locations, from Childerley Hall in Cambridge to Mapperton House in Dorset. The Shakespeare Tour has been operating within Durham Student Theatre for over thirty years and marks a highlight in the theatre calendar, not just within the Durham community but amongst regular audiences from across the country.

For our first performance, we were greeted with the surprise that the original cast from the first ever Shakespeare Tour had come to see us! It was fantastic to see some photos of their production and to hear of their own experience of touring with Castle Theatre Company. It was a joy to perform again, particularly after such a long time of hibernation thanks to the pandemic, a joy which seemed matched in our audiences as they all commented on how wonderful it was to see live theatre once more.

Personally, I could not think of a better way to culminate my time at Durham. It was an honour to perform the role of Helena in one of Durham’s most prestigious and infamous theatre highlights of the year and the incredible experience of performing on Tour will define my final memories of being a student at Durham. Thank you to the Senior Common Room, once again, for their support with this production.

The Senior Common Room Performing Arts Grant.

Students can apply for an SCR Performing Arts Grant of up to £100. The SCR allocate £600 per year, aiming to award the Performing Arts Grant to two students each term. Applications for all Awards and Grants open at the start of each term for current students.

14

July 2022

Cuthbert’s Chronicle

July 2019

Durham University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Karen O’Brien, and St Cuthbert’s Society Principal, Professor Tammi Walker, present Dr Bob Banks with The Dunelmensis Award in 12 South Bailey Garden. (photograph © andrewheptinstall.com)

Dr Bob Banks

Chair of St Cuthbert’s Society Fellows

Dunelmensis Award The Dunelmensis Award is given by the University’s Senate to a Durham alumnus or alumna for meritorious and exceptional service in support of the University, particularly for institutional advancement and for enhancing the University’s reputation, nationally and internationally. Bob Banks was nominated

by Professor Tammi Walker, Principal of St Cuthbert’s Society & Professor of Forensic Psychology, Dr Jon Warren, Vice-Principal of St Cuthbert’s Society and Ms Charlotte Imlach, Former Assistant Principal of St Cuthbert’s Society.

Cuthbert’s Chronicle

15

St Cuthbert’s Society was proud to welcome Durham University’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Karen O’Brien to a very special formal dinner on Wednesday May 18th 2022 to present the Dunelmensis Award to Dr Bob Banks (Chair of Cuth’s Fellows). The Award recognises the exceptional commitment he has shown to the University over the years. We were delighted to congratulate Dr Banks on this honour.

Dr Bob Banks gave an uplifting and emotional acceptance speech for which he received a standing ovation from inspired staff and students. It was also a pleasure to welcome Bob’s family - Mrs Gillian Banks (Former Cuth’s Artist in Residence), Mr Thomas Banks (Bob’s son) and Mrs Nicola Banks (a Cuth’s Alumna herself) with their daughters Miss Charlotte Banks and Miss Georgia Banks.

Dr Bob Banks. Acceptance Speech. May 2022 First and foremost, it is a great honour to receive a Dunelmensis Award and I thank Tammi Walker, Jon Warren and Charlotte Imlach, our Principal, Vice-Principal and former Assistant Principal, most warmly for proposing me. I am now officially “of” or “belonging to” Durham, but, like many of you, I suppose, I was not born here so how is it that Durham may now claim me as one of its own?

We can think of our lives as a series of associations, some that occur accidentally, some of which we deliberately choose, and some more important than others. The most important for me, unquestionably, has been my marriage to Gillian, herself a long-term member of Cuth’s Senior Common Room and former artist-in-residence, whose mince pies at Cuth’s carol service are legendary.

Next has been the great good fortune and happiness I have had in being able to spend my whole adult life in universities.

And thus, on leaving school with my clutch of A-levels, off I went to Nottingham to begin the process of becoming a scientist.

Three years later I emerged with a Joint Honours degree in Botany and Zoology as a scientific bachelor, and just a couple of months later, ceased to be one matrimonially on marrying Gillian. We spent the next three years as students in our home city of Sheffield, where Gillian trained as a primary teacher and I began my life-long research career in the Department of Anatomy. As was usual at that time, the Anatomy Department had already been allocated one or two postgraduate studentships by the Medical Research Council, when I enquired about research there. The Head of Department, Professor Robert Barer, showed me around and the members of staff each told me a little about their own research. Evidently having satisfied himself that I was a suitable candidate, Professor Barer asked me if I was interested in any of the topics. Without realizing just how momentous and fateful my choice was to become, I said, yes, I would like to work on the muscle spindle.

Unlike black holes, Higgs Bosons and dinosaurs, muscle spindles do not hit the headlines, indeed, I should be surprised if many of you had even heard of them. But actually the overwhelming majority of science is like that and lack of what I might term celebrity in science does not make it any less important. So you, in turn, might be surprised to learn that there are probably 3 or 4 million muscle spindles in this hall right now, and that is because each of us has about 50,000 of them in our skeletal muscles and because they are necessary to sense and control our bodily position and movements.

It was the muscle spindle that brought me to Durham – my research in Sheffield came to the attention of David Barker, professor and Head of the Zoology Department here, and the world authority on the structure of the muscle spindle at the time. Following the award of my PhD from Sheffield I joined David’s lab as a post-doctoral fellow. After a spell in Toulouse learning electrophysiology with Professor Paul Bessou and a few years in London at UCL I finally returned to Durham, initially working with David on nerve repair and reinnervation using the muscle spindle as a model system. During those years of wanderings our family was also growing: our eldest son, William, was born in Durham during my first post-doctoral fellowship; he was followed a few years later by our daughter, Sophie, born while I was at UCL. Our youngest son, Tom, was born about a year after our final return to Durham and is here this evening, with our daughter-in-law, Nicola, who is herself a Cuth’s alumna, and their daughters, Charlotte and Georgia, two future Cuth’s alumnae, as you see.

My own association with Cuth’s goes back to the last years of Leslie Brooks’ Principalship, when I would often join the group that accompanied visiting departmental seminar speakers to dinner in the SCR.

16

July July 2022 2019

Cuthbert’s Chronicle

That informal association continued until 1991 when I became a tutor and joined the then governing body ex officio, and when Sam Stoker was Principal. I continued to serve on governing body and its successor, college council, until the latter was abolished along with all the college councils. In the years since those convivial dinners hosted by Leslie Brooks, Cuth’s became my collegiate home, one might even say home from home. Just a few months before I retired from my teaching post in what was then the School of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, in 2013, I had the honour to be elected as a Fellow of St. Cuthbert’s Society.

photograph © andrewheptinstall.com The Dunelmensis Award is only given to Durham alumni, so with a BSc from Nottingham and a PhD from Sheffield, how is it that I was eligible for the honour? It was an unforeseeable outcome of one of my choices. David Barker retired soon after our work on nerve repair was finished and I then established collaborations with Prof Yves Laporte’s lab at the Collège de France in Paris and with Dr Manuel Hulliger’s lab in Calgary, Alberta.

The 1990s was a decade like no other in biology. This was the time of the Human Genome Project, made possible by a combination of advances in molecular biology, genetics, and high-performance computing. Whatever the motivations and expectations might have been for the outcomes of the project, its effects on the whole of biology were revolutionary.

At the end of the decade my own work took a new turn when I began to collaborate with Dr Guy Bewick of Aberdeen, who, I am delighted to say, is also here this evening. It has been my longest and most successful collaboration and is still ongoing.

We are studying the events by which muscle spindles and similar sense organs are able to detect mechanical stimuli such as stretch, and many of the molecular techniques that make this work possible were developed or facilitated during the Human Genome Project, nicely demonstrating the interdisciplinary nature of science. In 2010, Guy and I organized an international symposium here in Durham, with the support of the Physiological Society. Together with Rade Durbaba from Northumbria University, and Susan Pyner from Durham, Guy was also the driving force behind another such symposium held here in 2014 with support from the Biophysical Sciences Institute, to mark my retirement from my teaching post in what is now the Department of Biosciences, where I remain a visiting researcher.

There is an aphorism usually attributed to Terry Pratchett that inside every old person is a young person wondering what happened. At one level this old person can look back and think “how did those fifty-odd years pass so quickly?”, but the young person who is, I assure you, still in there, can at least now also look back and see how very fortunate he has been. Today is another addition to my great good fortune; I can only hope that you who are young persons inside and out will be as fortunate as I have been.

Thank you all, very much.

Bob Bank

photograph © andrewheptinstall.com By the early 1990s I had a substantial body of published work and was considering whether to submit it for the degree of Doctor of Science. I had several reasons for this, not the least of which was that under recently introduced regulations staff members who were not previously graduates of Durham were permitted to register for higher doctorates. So, this time the choice was where I should register for the degree: Nottingham, Sheffield and Durham were all possible, though of course the choice was easy. By then, having carried out most of my research in Durham and having spent most of my adult life here, the acquisition of a Durham degree was a possibility “devoutly to be wished”. The degree was conferred at the Winter congregation in 1995 and I was pleased to receive congratulatory notes from Bernard Robertson and Sam Stoker.

photograph © andrewheptinstall.com

Alumni Association

Cuthbert’s Chronicle

Elena Martin (Anthropology 2019 and JCR President 2019-20) Like many, the St Cuthbert’s Society Alumni Association have been continuing to play a slow post-pandemic catch up in terms of activity and events and confess that we aren’t yet back to our pre-pandemic level of activity.

We have, however, had a wonderfully successful meet up at the Ape and Apple in Manchester at the end of March. Attendees ranged from those graduating in the 1950s to the 2020s, and topics of conversation included a comparison of Cuth’s’ clubs and societies (past and present), beverages available at the bar and much more. We hope to be hosting more of these meet ups during the coming months.

As you may have noticed, the Alumni

Contact us: @stcuthberts.association

@Cuths contact@cuths.org cuths.org

The Association’s website has been down for a little while now, however we are happy to report that a new one is under construction many thanks to the help of a recent Cuth’s (soon to be) grad, Jack Reeves, who has taken on the challenge of building a new one. We plan to have it live towards mid-July. If any alumni or friends have any material that might be of interest to have on our new website archive, please do get in touch as we’d love your contributions.

Additionally, the Association have started to work with the JCR on a new venture whereby members of the sitting JCR executive committee and matched with an alumni mentor who might be able to provide advice and support specific to the role that they are undertaking. The JCR hope that this will enable their student leadership team to make the most out of their times in role. This will benefit both those at the college as well as their own individual development. If you feel you have some time to share some of your relevant expertise, please do get in touch so that we can start to link people up based

on alumni experience and the current demands of each exec role.

Lastly, we hope to welcome as many alumni as possible at the upcoming Alumni weekend and would love to hear your thoughts on what else should be on the Association’s horizon.

Elena Martin St Cuthbert’s Society Alumni Association Chair

17

18

July 2022 July 2019

Cuthbert’s Chronicle

Spring Congregation And Honorary Degree Ceremonies

Spring Congregation

Postponed graduation ceremonies from as far back as summer 2020 finally took place in the Cathedral in March. We held three evening drinks events in Cuth’s dining hall hosted by Cuth’s Principal, Professor Tammi Walker, VicePrincipal, Dr Jon Warren and Assistant Principal, Charlotte Imlach.

It was wonderful to see so many familiar faces returning along with their families and friends. The catering team provided delicious canapes. We were able to welcome back former Principal Professor Elizabeth Archibald along with the students that knew her well. Even the snow didn’t dampen spirits. It doesn’t usually snow for Congregation!

Congratulations to all of our Cuth’s graduates of 2020 and 2021 who were finally able to celebrate.

Many thanks to Olivia Watson, Aimee Willems, Dan Vogel, Alex Blackwood, Dylan Purches, Ryan Weeks, Michael Walters, Jacob Morgan, Abbie Eamonson and Sammy Alcock for allowing us to use their images here and on social media.

We are now looking forward to Summer Graduation Ceremonies in June/July ‘22.

Photograph @andrewheptinstall.com

Cuthbert’s Chronicle

19

Honorary Degrees

Two of the honorary degrees awarded at Spring Congregation were presented to members of the Cuth’s community. Cuth’s alumna Dr Charlotte Riley (actor) received a Doctor of Letters degree and Cuth’s SCR member Dr Mike Barton (Former Chief Constable of Durham Constabulary) received a Doctor of Civil Law. St Cuthbert’s Society welcomed Dr Charlotte Riley, along with her family and friends, to 12 South Bailey for lunch after her honorary degree ceremony in the Cathedral on Thursday 31st March.

After a visit to The Bailey Bar, she took part in a ‘Fireside Chat’ with Principal Prof Tammi Walker and Mr Andy Harston of DARO at the Assembly Rooms Theatre which was live and online.

Photographs by Andrew Heptinstall © andrewheptinstall.com

Mike has been a valuable member of the SCR and Cuth’s wider community for many years. We welcomed him to a drinks reception on the evening of his Honorary Degree Ceremony.

Read More here:

SCR President Mark Miller, VicePrincipal Dr Jon Warren, Dr Charlotte Riley, Principal Professor Tammi Walker, Assistant Principal Charlotte Imlach and Ops Manager Sue Cole.

Dr Charlotte Riley receiving her Honorary Degree.

Former Chief Constable of Durham Constabulary, Mike Barton received a Doctor of Civil Law. Mike Barton, who received a CBE for services to policing in 2019, joined the police force in 1980. In his time, he led Durham Constabulary to four successive outstanding ratings in annual PEEL inspections and Durham attained the highest crime-detection rates in the country.

Principal Professor Tammi Walker with Dr Charlotte Riley and Pro-ViceChancellor (Colleges and Student Experience) Mr Jeremy Cook in the Cathedral.

Dr Charlotte Riley (St Cuthbert’s Society, English) was born in Stockton-on-Tees.

Alongside a distinguished acting career with acclaimed roles in The Edge of Tomorrow, In The Heart of The Sea, Peaky Blinders and upcoming Amazon Original Series, The Peripheral, Charlotte has dedicated herself to helping families in the film and TV industry by launching The ‘WonderWorks’ nursery brand.

Dr Mike Barton CBE

Photographs by Andrew Heptinstall. © andrewheptinstall.com

20 20 Cuthbert’s Cuthbert’s Chronicle Chronicle

July July2022 2019

Congratulations

to Cuth’s alumni and students who have been recognised with awards.

Firstly, Cuth’s alumna Lance Corporal Danielle Marie Collingridge- Moore, Intelligence Corps, Army Reserve (St Cuthbert’s Society, Geography 2008) was awarded an MBE in the 2022 New Year’s Honours. See more about Danielle on page 24.

Cuth’s current students Emily Gardner and Alex Callens have recently been recognised at the Target Jobs Undergraduate of the Year Awards. Emily won the Future CFO of the Year 2022 award and Alex was shortlisted for the Built Environment Undergraduate of the Year award.There were almost 4,000 entries from over 140 different universities across the UK and so becoming one of the 120 student finalists is a huge achievement.

Cuthbert’s Cuthbert’sChronicle Chronicle

Emily Gardner,

3rd Year Economics Future CFO of the Year 2022 Emily is a third year Cuth’s student. She is currently on her year abroad at the University of Lausanne in Switzerland where she studies business and management and is part of the investment society. As a part-time job Emily works as a maths and economics tutor online. She recently took part in Tsinghua University’s global summer school, working with a team from across the world to find technical solutions to reach carbon neutrality. In her spare time she enjoys learning languages and playing sports. She is part of Durham University’s Taekwondo team and is also a member of the college finance committee.

Sue Perkins (from Bake Off) was presenting the awards.

When she announced my name as the winner of ‘Future CFO of The Year’ I was in total shock as I was not expecting to have won. Having met all the other talented finalists I doubted that I would have been chosen amongst the 10 of us.

I applied for ‘Future CFO Undergraduate of The Year’ in January. I received an email from Targetjobs about this competition and thought I would apply in my free time. I completed the application and did the online tests when I had a spare hour. I found the online tests really difficult, and answering some finance-based questions was not easy.

Being an Economics student, I did not have such a great background in finance like some of the other applicants did, but I applied anyway and sent off the application, not expecting to progress in the competition.

However, a couple of months later I found out I was in the top 40 out of over 650 applicants, and not long after that they announced that I was in the top 10. I was in complete disbelief, and shocked that out of so many people applying, I had made it into the top 10.

The final round to decide the winner was a business game.

We had to pitch and present our ideas to a board of directors from big companies such as Microsoft and CIMA. We had 10

days to create a presentation and make a podcast advert for a company. I spent every possible hour of every day on my presentation, analysing the information they had given us, preparing financial statements, and making projections, and was overall pleased with how the presentation went. After the final presentation I was invited to Canary Wharf in London, along with the top 10 finalists in each of the categories, where the winners would be announced. It was great to meet finalists from universities across the UK, including 2 other people from Durham!

Since winning the award, I now have a scholarship to qualify with CIMA (Chartered Institute for Management Accountants), and a personal mentor from CIMA to guide my journey with the company. I also have been given access to high profile events throughout the year.

Winning the award has given me a great career opportunity to work with CIMA, and confidence to apply for internships, jobs and competitions despite the number of applicants.

TargetJobs runs the competition every year for any university student to apply to, and for me, it was definitely worth taking some time out to apply to. It was overall a fantastic experience.

Emily Gardner

Alex Callens,

3rd Year Engineering Shortlisted for the Built Environment Undergraduate of the Year Award 2022 My experience with the Undergraduate of the Year Awards began in 2020, when I was shortlisted and I was set to complete an internship with the host company, but then the pandemic arrived, and it all got cancelled. This year, I saw the opportunity to apply for the Built Environment Undergraduate of the Year. This award was more centred on my field of study: Engineering, with the host company being AECOM, a multinational civil engineering company.

The application consisted of a logic test, a maths test and answering 3 questions about the importance of infrastructure in the world. I was happy with my answers to the questions and the maths test, but I truly believed that I had failed the logic test given how complex it was! I didn’t hear back from AECOM for 3 months, during which I had convinced myself that I hadn’t progressed. However, in the middle of March I received an email saying that I had been shortlisted. I couldn’t attend the ceremony as I was in Canada finishing up my year abroad. AECOM are trying to secure internships for the finalists this summer, which will allow me to get hands on with real world engineering projects!

21

22 22

Cuthbert’s Cuthbert’sChronicle Chronicle

July July2022 2019

Homo-semi-sapiens Ruth Barnett MBE

By Lewis Mullin (History, year 2) Ruth Barnett’s story is one that needs to be told. Symbolic of hope, perseverance, and separation; Ruth’s experience as a first-generation holocaust survivor embodies these themes, and within her book ‘Person of No Nationality’ can be experienced further. I would implore you to read it. Moreover, I would like to express my gratitude to St Cuthbert’s Society for providing the opportunity to interview Ruth and listen to her story, which will leave a lasting impression on me for the rest of my life. Ruth has had links with Cuth’s for many years through her son-in-law, Thomas Ward (staff member) and granddaughter, Adele Barnett Ward, who was a student at Cuth’s.

Born in Berlin in 1935, Ruth was tragically stripped of her German citizenship under the Nuremberg Laws due to her father’s Jewish heritage. Then, in 1939, Ruth and her brother, Martin, boarded the Kindertransport, being two out of a thousand German children who were sent to England for their safety. This marked an internal struggle within Ruth, where for years, Ruth was burdened by the feelings of separation, loss, and disappointment.

A poignant theme within Ruth’s story is hope. Ruth described a beautiful anecdote between her and her brother, where the vastly overcrowded and under supervised hostels coincided with her brother’s illness. Though Martin was an adamant believer in ‘an apple a day keeps the doctor away, nine-year-old Ruth exchanged her ragdoll to a lady with a baby for a few pennies, with which Ruth bought a big bag of red apples until her brother recovered. Granted, the apples were not the sole reason for Martin’s recovery.

Still, instead, Ruth and Martin believed he would recover – ‘if you believe something strongly enough, you can’t make it happen, but you have an effect on it happening’ - and consequently did. Within this beautiful story, hope underpinned Ruth’s survival.

Ruth proclaims that we are a ‘semi-civilised’ civilisation – homo-semi-sapiens – where the realities of hate division are still prevalent today. Tragically, we are seeing history repeat itself. The Uyghurs are actively being persecuted in China; since 2014, it has been estimated that one million, if not higher, are incarcerated within internment camps. From this, we must ensure that history does not repeat the atrocities of the Holocaust with other minority communities. Ruth coined the phrase ‘upstander’, where individuals must stand up for minority communities who are actively persecuted; “There is no such thing as a bystander once they know what is happening”. Have conversations. Share ideas. Listen to other people’s lived experiences. We cannot enforce institutional change and protect minority communities if we do not.

More broadly, Ruth explicitly evidences the need to listen to others. Conversations need to happen to ensure change, but they also need to be an active dialogue and accountability. No one is perfect. Ruth expresses how we are civilised enough to see hatred, yet we need to go further and actively bolster the voices of minorities and challenge discrimination when we see it. Ruth eloquently concluded the interview with, “we’ve come along from the caves, but we’ve got just as far to go to become really civilised” these words are a true testimony to how far we have yet to go, but it can and must be done.

Cuthbert’s Chronicle

In light of this interview and the recent appointment of our Chaplain, Rev Dr Julia Candy comments on the strive for inclusivity within St Cuthbert’s Society specifically and the need to listen to other people’s stories.

Foundational to Cuth’s is the heartfelt commitment to ensure that we are an inclusive community - that we truly listen and learn from one other’s lived and culturally inherited experiences. I firmly believe that to be inclusive involves meaningfully engaging and having the confidence to be challenged and changed by the perspective of the other. It is vital for everyone’s benefit to guarantee the Jewish voice is always heard and that we actively encourage it not just in Cuth’s but across all society. Speaking personally, although I am not myself Jewish, I am indebted to a great many Jewish philosophers, theologians, writers, and dramatists. They have helped shaped not only my thinking but also the person that I am today. Thus, it is to humanity’s shame not only that the obscene horror of the Holocaust ever occurred but also that, even today globally, antisemitism has increased. It is vital not only that we absorb the shocking reality of the Holocaust but that we are all resolutely guarantee the Jewish voice is never silenced. Rev Dr Julia Candy.

23

Welcome to Rev Dr Julia Candy Chaplain

in Theology and Religious Studies at Cambridge. I have been a priest now for ten years and during most of this time I have worked in London as a parish priest and a hospital chaplain.

Allow me to introduce myself, I am the Revd Dr Julia Candy and I have the privilege of being the new chaplain of St Cuthbert’s Society and Hatfield College.

I am incredibly excited to be starting this post, getting to know all of you, and joining the Cuth’s community.

I am originally from the North East of England and, being a proud Geordie, would like to congratulate you for choosing to study in one of the most gorgeous places in the world.

I studied Psychology at Cambridge University and then went on to do a PhD at Queen’s University, Belfast, researching the impact political conflict and socio-economic status has upon children’s development of national identity and sectarian attitudes. After this I went on to become a lecturer, before then deciding to steer completely ‘off course’ by doing something very different and becoming a priest in the Church of England. As part of my training for ordination I studied for a degree

I have a number of interests including the theatre, reading, particularly Russian and French literature, philosophy, and politics; attending art galleries and standup comedy. However, most importantly, I regard myself to be one of the Pet Shop Boys’ biggest fans and I am well known for evangelising their classic combination of ironic lyrics to stomping disco beats whenever possible, you have been warned.....

I regard my central role as your chaplain as being a support to you regardless of whether you have a faith or not. To offer you a non-judgemental, caring space where difficulties and problems can be heard, and important questions can be asked without necessarily being able to find an answer.

I will be at Cuth’s every Friday, available for you to come and talk, whether that be needing a supportive place for personal concerns or difficulties to be expressed, a space where questions of meaning and spirituality can be thought about, or just a recommendation of the funkiest locations in Newcastle.

So, if you see some random woman in a dog collar, do come and say ‘hello’.

Julia julia.candy@durham.ac.uk

24

July 2022 July 2019

Cuthbert’s Chronicle

Interview with Cuth’s Alumna Danielle Collingridge Moore

by Abbie Brindle (History, year 2) Danielle Collingridge Moore MBE (St Cuthbert’s Society 2005-2009, BA Geography and MSc in Health Research) did a PhD in Applied Epidemiology at Lancaster University and is currently doing research with a focus on care homes during the pandemic. On top of this, she works part time as Corporal in the, Army Reserve. Danni was awarded an MBE in the 2022 New Year’s Honours for this role. I was lucky enough to interview Danni over Zoom and ask her about her time at Durham, some of her favourite Cuth’s memories, and her journey from university to where she is now. She was incredibly easy to talk to and I was unbelievably inspired by all she has achieved since leaving Durham University.

I asked Danni about her time at Durham and for some of her favourite memories of being at Cuth’s.

‘It was the simple things of being a student at Durham, like having the opportunity to walk by the cathedral every day on the way to lectures’.

Danni spent her first year in the Wendy House on the Bailey, her second year at Brooks house, and her final year as a proctor for Refounders house, and so she had the whole Cuth’s experience! She highlighted that one of her favourite memories was the walk from the Bailey to Parsons Field and being in awe of the Cathedral. Danni chatted about Cuth’s bar always being the place to be (as it still is), every time she walked in there was a friend there she knew and these times stood out as memorable moments from her time as a Durham student.

‘Nights at Cuth’s bar would always be good ones, there was always something to celebrate with a Brownie Bomber’.

Formals stood out as a favourite event for Danni, notably the ‘Strictly Ballroom’ themed Livers Out formal she attended. This

formal ended with an open hall for waltzing and dancing.

I wondered what, if anything, she would have done differently if she could go back in time and do it all again.

Danni wishes she had got more involved in some of the opportunities the University, and more specifically Cuth’s, had to offer. She mentions rowing specifically and wishes she had given it a go during her time at the Durham University.

‘Explore your options, university gives you the opportunity to try and fail at many things, which lets you work out who you are. It is a great time to work out what you do and don’t like’.

Her experience at university involved a lot of trial and error to find out what she liked and what she wanted to do, and she advises current students to use this time to do the same thing, even if the exact direction or future career isn’t clear.

Furthermore, Danni wishes she had explored more of Durham and the surrounding area.

The second part of the interview involved questions about Danni’s journey towards her current career and roles and how she got to where she is now. I asked Danni about the kind of opportunities she was involved in during her time at Cuth’s that had helped her towards careers in the Army Reserves and research at Lancaster University?

Like myself, Danni was Senior Returning Officer in her second year. Although she enjoyed this role, it highlighted that politics wasn’t something she necessarily wanted to go into. It was a good experience nonetheless as she says it gave her an insight into what she didn’t want in a future career! Danni was also the ‘Proctor’ for Refounders House in her third year at Durham.

This role highlighted for her the importance of getting to know people and the impact that showing people you care can have.

She learnt that being there for people was a crucial part of being a good leader. This role gave Danni skills relevant to many opportunities and careers post university.

‘It doesn’t take much to be there for someone and show that you care. Asking someone how they are feeling takes little effort, but can make a real difference’

Cuthbert’s Chronicle

‘It is the greatest misconception that you find what you want to do in your final year, or after you graduate, or by thirty, or by whenever’ Danni Collingridge Moore

Danni enjoyed the research aspects of her Geography degree and knew she wanted to go down the route of research but wasn’t entirely sure what role she wanted to pursue. She didn’t apply to any graduate schemes, but instead prioritised finding a job that she knew she would enjoy and could develop from there. After finishing her undergraduate degree, she did her Masters at Durham and went on to work for the NHS. From there, she moved into role within care home research, specifically working on big datasets and how they could be used to improve care in care homes. Danni has spent seven years working at Lancaster University and has used her time there to develop as a researcher. She is a Research Fellow based at the International Observatory on End of Life Care. ‘Find something you’re passionate about,’ she advises, ‘the rest will follow through’.

25

It was such a privilege to be able to interview Danni and learn about her journey since she left Durham University. She has absolutely inspired me and left me in awe with the amount she has achieved so far.

As a second year who is unsure what career she wants to pursue, Danni made me feel comfortable in letting myself try and fail, and just seeing what comes next.

Abbie Brindle May 2022

In 2016, Danni joined the Army Reserves to put the skills that she had but wasn’t using into practice so that she could develop them further. During the pandemic she was mobilised through Op Rescript, worked in the Cabinet Office for 6 months and led the COVID-19 health data team.

‘I saw my role there as making sure that care home residents had a voice, and that the best data available was being used to make decisions on’ Danni received an MBE in the 2022 New Year’s Honours as a Corporal in the Army Reserves, during Op Rescript. Danni was able to use the skills she gained from university and her earlier careers to demonstrate successful leadership. She combined her civilian career and army training , and clearly did an extremely successful job.

Abbie Brindle

Danni was awarded a three-year post-doctoral fellowship through her project entitled ‘Living and dying in care homes during the COVID-19 pandemic: What worked well and why?’, which she began in March! Danni is excited to continue in-depth research on care homes through this fellowship. After this, ‘whatever comes next comes next’.

‘Whatever comes next, comes next, in the meantime I am going to chill, and I recommend you do too!’

Wise Words.

Lance Corporal Danielle Collingridge Moore in her other uniform!

26 26 Cuthbert’s Cuthbert’s Chronicle Chronicle

Welcome to IAS Fellow Professor Colleen Ward Colleen Ward is a Professor of Crosscultural Psychology and Founding Director of the Centre for Applied Cross-cultural Research at Victoria University (Wellington, New Zealand).

Professor Ward received her PhD in Psychology (1977) at Durham University, is a Cuth’s alumna and has recently returned to stay in the Fellows’ Flat in 12 South Bailey for a few months.

During her time in Durham, Professor Ward will be primarily engaged with Professor Prue Holmes and Dr Oakleigh Welply (School of Education) and Professor Chris Brown’s IAS project. We enjoyed her talk at St Cuthbert’s Society earlier this term entitled A Pocket Guide to Crossing Cultures.

After leaving Durham Prof Ward will be attending the Academy of Intercultural Research conference in Rapperswil, Switzerland where she will be receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award for Intercultural Research.

July 2019

Cuth’s Welfare @cuths_welfare

Jade Gavigan, Senior Welfare Officer What a year it has been for welfare! Kicking things off at full speed for freshers week, we revamped the consent workshops to include information about sexting, stealthing, ways to ask for consent and how we can further normalise a consent culture in our society. We gave out over 400 freshers welfare packs, and had a welfare handbook ready for the beginning of the year so everyone knew how to access support in Cuth’s, the uni and beyond.

The Welfare Team - Jade the senior welfare officer, Lewis the male welfare officer and Thalia the female welfare officer have been running drop-ins throughout the year, offering support and signposting to students.

With the help of Abbie Crunkhorn our campaigns manager, Cuth’s Welfare ran multiple campaigns this year kicking things off with our Movember campaign where we raised over £400 with a charity football match, a talk with George Charlton, and a pub quiz. We ran a campaign over the Christmas holidays which included ‘Classless Christmas’ and ‘Carers at Christmas’with Dan Mercer. Our LGBTQ rep, Cat Hamm started running drop ins to help increase support the LGBTQ+ members of our society. We ran a money management campaign and a sexual health and guidance (‘SHAG’) week campaign in term 2, both to great success. SHAG week karaoke was of notable success with lots of people coming to the bar for a sing song and to raise money for the Survivor’s Trust. Our female welfare officer, Thalia Agoglossakis, began a ‘get a menstrual cup’ scheme which has been hugely successful this year where we have given our over 50 menstrual cups. We also made great improvements to our sexual health supplies. We also hosted the sexual heath roadshow from County Durham and Darlington NHS and a drugs and alcohol roadshow from Durham County Council Drug and Alcohol Recovery Service.

This year we began doing welfare swaps with Collingwood welfare, so that people had the option to go to a drop in with someone not from college. All in all, it has been a great year and we hope that welfare was of help to the students of Cuth’s as we love what we do and always look to work to improve support for students.

Huge shoutout to my team, Thalia and Lewis, for all of their amazing work this year. Also a huge shoutout to our campaigns manager, Abbie Crunkhorn and the campaigns team for their great contributions!

Remembering Joan Norton What a lady Joan was.

Cuthbert’s day always saw her bob into the staff room/ kitchen area for a chat to the “ladies”.

Indeed she often ended up on the end of a tea towel at the dining room dishwasher, always laughing.

Hilary Bowler Joan Norton died on 22nd December in Dryburn Hospital. Joan was particularly well known to members of the Society who were here between 1985 and 1990, while her husband John was Principal. Joan’s energetic support of the Society continued long into retirement and she came to know many later arrivals to our community too. We will miss her greatly.

Cuthbert’s Cuthbert’sChronicle Chronicle

John and Joan were staunch supporters of us boaties. They both came down when we were competing to cheer us on, come rain or shine, and they were genuinely excited by our wins. Joan also had what seemed like an elephantine memory. She must have shepherded thousands of students through Cuth’s doors and out the other side and yet she not only remembered who you were, but who your friends were, what you (and they) did and what you (and they) had gone off to do after University. Her brain must have been like a huge Cuth’s jigsaw puzzle! She was as much a part of Cuth’s as John was. The new boat which was commissioned when we were there was named John and Joan.

The fact that no surname was required for people to make the connection says it all.

Elspeth Talbot Rice We will be taking time to remember Joan Norton during the afternoon and evening of Saturday 3rd September as part of the upcoming Alumni Weekend.

Please bring along your stories and any photos you may have.

St Cuthbert’s Society made a donation to the charity ‘Calibre Audio’ in memory of Joan. This is a charity that supplies audiobooks to the visually impaired, a service that Joan was grateful for in her later years.

Joan did a lot of painting, and put work in Durham exhibitions before her eyesight got too bad. Her work was exhibited in Trevelyan College and she was involved in an Art group run by Muriel Woodward.

The SCR and Fellows plan to commemorate Joan Norton at The Alumni Association Weekend 2nd to 4th September. John Norton hopes to attend and we would welcome anyone who remembers Joan to come along on the afternoon of Saturday 3rd September. Please email cuthberts.alumnirelations@durham.ac.uk for exact timings.

We have Joan to thank for carpeting the stairs and landings in No 12, to minimise noise. Before that Cuth’s had wonderfully polished brown lino, which complemented the staircase woodwork but echoed every footfall, crash and thump as students navigated the stairs, to the detriment of whoever was in the SCR or first-floor offices.

Jo Tudor

ALUMNI

PLEASE KEEP IN TOUCH @CuthbertsAlumni @CuthsAlumni cuthberts.alumnirelations@ durham.ac.uk https://www.durham.ac.uk/collegesand-student-experience/colleges/ st-cuthberts-society/alumni-andfriends/

27

28

Cuthbert’s Chronicle

Renovations and Building Work It has been an extremely busy year for renovations and building work at St Cuthbert’s Society. A state of the art AV system has been installed with funding from the JCR, SCR and Quentin Sloper’s Wider Student Experience Team and has already been used extensively in the Dining Room of 12 South Bailey.

July 2022 July 2019

The work at Cuth’s continues with new carpets in reception and a lot more space. We just need a few more plants now to add the finishing touches.

Cuth’s Bailey Bar has also had a facelift! The floor is looking better than ever after some TLC. House 26 and House 27 students began their year at Etsuko Hall, part of the Teikyo University Building, while both houses were renovated. Our Cuth’s students are finally in and flying the flag!

Durham University’s Steinway Project is underway. Two new pianos have been delivered to St Cuthbert’s Society. An Essex Upright piano has been delivered to House 8 Study Room and a Steinway Upright piano delivered to the Fonteyn Music Room. We’ll be having a Baby Grand delivered once the new build at Parson’s Field is completed. The new pianos are available to all students, of all abilities and experience – not just to those studying music. https://www.durham.ac.uk/colleges-and-student-experience/enrichment-activities/music/all-steinwayschool/ The first of the University pianos arrived on the Bailey using long-reach cranes.

Parson’s Field New Social Space

Cuthbert’s Chronicle

29

On 8 November 2021 the work commenced on the new Brooks House Social Space.The scope of the work includes a new social space extension, JCR, gym, and a new reception extension.

Operations Update Sue Cole, College Operations Manager After two long years, the college has a welcome air of normality. The Operations Team at Cuth’s comprises of myself (Sue Cole, Operations Manager), the College Operations Team Leader, Lucy Kelly, the Porters (RSA’s), the Housekeeping Team and the Receptionists. All have had to meet new and unexpected challenges during the pandemic and have been brilliant in meeting them.

We have also seen welcome renovation and new build projects which have included the external refurbishment of all our listed buildings on the Bailey, the complete refurbishment of 26 & 27 North Bailey, the dining hall has been improved as a multi-purpose space by the installation of a full AV system and the new build project at Brooks House is underway.

The new build is a multi-purpose building which can be used as a performance space, meeting space, and for the use of sports and societies. Also included is a new gym and Junior Common Room. This will allow more events to be based at the Parson’s Field site.

New Build Progress. June 2022

30 30

Cuthbert’s Cuthbert’sChronicle Chronicle

July 2022 July 2019

Senior Common Room With things getting back to or at least towards normal the SCR has been much more active than in recent years due to being able to offer in person events once again. Our membership has grown this year most importantly with the arrival of our new Principal Professor Tammi Walker who we have been delighted to welcome. The university’s new scheme for allocating new members of staff (academic and nonacademic) to one of the college SCRs is now active and a total of 33 people have joined by this route They include the Dean of the Law Faculty, Professional Services staff and new academics from a range of departments. We also welcome the Rev. Julia Candy to the SCR as the new part-time Chaplain for St Cuthbert’s Society and Hatfield College.

We have sadly lost some members of our community this year.

On 22 December 2021, we received the sad news that Joan Norton had died. Joan is survived by her husband John, who was Principal from 1985 to 1990. John and Joan’s energetic support for the Society continued long into retirement, and they were both present at the 2019 Fellows’ Lecture. Our community will remember Joan with affection and gratitude.

contrasting research areas for new undergraduates in the dining hall.

Our resident IAS Fellow in Michaelmas Term 2021 was to have been Prof. Colleen Ward, Professor of cross-cultural psychology at Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand.

Prof. Ward was unable to take up her Fellowship in person because of the pandemic and delivered her public lecture online rather than in our dining hall. The lecture was entitled How I am who I am: Strategies for managing multiplecultural identities and was given on Tuesday 30 November 2021. Although Prof. Ward was unable to be with us we were able to accommodate another IAS Fellow at 12 South Bailey. Prof. Alan Daly, from the Department of Education Studies at the University of California, San Diego, joined us for the Michaelmas Term and gave his public lecture, entitled Better together: creating and nurturing social networks for leveraging educational change, online on 1 December 2021.

The annual Act of Remembrance was held on 14 November 2021 in the garden of House 12. The choir sang at the 2021 gathering, performing Robert Pearsall’s eight-part setting of Lay a Garland.

Partnership with the Biophysical Sciences Institute The Biophysical Sciences Institute (BSI) is a virtual research organisation within the University, bringing together researchers from a variety of science departments. The Director is Prof.

Steven Cobb (Chemistry) and the Senior Administrator is Dr Alexandra (Alex) Probert. The BSI have a number of new initiatives to broaden their reach, including connecting with the colleges as academic communities and physical venues for meetings. Through Bob Banks (who is a longstanding member of the BSI) and with the enthusiastic approval of the Principal, we have initiated discussions with Steven and Alex about forming links between the BSI and Cuth’s, which we think would be beneficial to both organisations.

Events this year In October 2021, Prof. Andy Beeby (Chemistry) and Prof.

Tammi Walker (Psychology) gave introductory talks on their

In November the first Friday Fish-and-chips lunch since the start of the pandemic took place with limited numbers in the SCR. Also in November we held a drinks reception in person in the SCR, aimed at welcoming new members.

Tastings of real ale and artisan cheese resumed on 3 December 2021 in the SCR, coorganised by Cuth’s Real Ale and Cider Appreciation Society (CRACAS) and the SCR. The traditional College Carol Service at St Margaret’s Church resumed after a year in abeyance 5 December 2021. The large returned, comfortably filling the church. After the service, we enjoyed homemade mince pies made by Gillian Banks with mulled wine.

Epiphany term began with the Rev. Julia Candy, our new part-time chaplain, being installed by the Bishop of Durham in Hatfield Chapel on 17 January 2022. A number of SCR members attended the service and reception afterwards. Julia is keen to get to know members of both Common Rooms at Cuth’s and to get involved in events.

31Cuthbert’s Cuthbert’s Chronicle Chronicle

31

The annual Gourmet Lunch returned for the first time since 2019 on 25 March 2022. Great thanks are due to new Head Chef Rob Wilkinson, Haley Carr and their colleagues for a stylish and very enjoyable meal around the SCR table.

On Wednesday 19 January 2022, the SCR Committee had an informal meeting with the JCR Exec. for mutual introductions before too much of the academic year elapsed. Because of the covid-related “soft start” to Epiphany Term, the meeting was held online. One idea that sprang from this discussion was the coffee tasting event mentioned below.

The second tasting of real ale and artisan cheese of the academic year was held on 18 February 2022, with good representation from both Common Rooms. For the first time a coffee tasting, featuring beans from local roasteries was held on Sunday 20 February after brunch at 1pm. This joint event with the JCR was hosted by Euan Martin (final-year Physics student). student). We compared not only different coffees but different ways of preparing them.

This was swiftly followed by the first in person SCR guest night since 2019 which was held in early April. The dinner had a Greek theme devised by our Chair of Fellows Dr Bob Banks who entertained us with a fascinating after dinner talk.

Easter term’s arrival saw the third Ale and cheese event of the year which was as ever well supported by the SCR and CRACS. We were delighted to be able to celebrate Dr Bob Banks Dunelmensis Award for outstanding contribution to the university presented by the VC at a College formal on the 18th may. Many congratulations to Bob.

February also gave us Research Forum with a psychology theme. This was held in the SCR and online.The speakers were Fleur Riley (postgraduate student) on her PhD research, “Trauma and distrust: investigating women’s experiences of victimisation and incarceration” and Dr Sam Forbes (SCR and Psychology Department) on one of his specialities, “Shining a light on infant word learning”. The SCR was pleasantly full and there was lively discussion of both presentations.

Doug Scott (SCR and alumnus) gave a talk entitled “Why economists get value wrong” online from his home in Portugal.

Doug explored ways for making policy decisions that do not rely on financial cost as the primary basis for assigning value.

We had about a dozen participants online and a substantial discussion session after the presentation.

Susan Warren led a gardening morning on 12 March in collaboration with Charis Thompson and the JCR Gardening Society. In the event, all volunteers apart from Susan and Jon Warren were from the JCR. Rev Julia Candy gave a talk on the life and history of St Cuthbert at lunchtime on 17th March 2022 in advance of St Cuthbert’s Feast Day on 20th. Mark Miller (SCR President) and Alfie Whillis (President of the Society) read from St Bede’s Life of Cuthbert at the Festal Evensong for the Feast of St Cuthbert, held proleptically on 18 March 2022 in Durham Cathedral. A number of SCR members attended the service too.

photograph © andrewheptinstall.com College was also able to welcome Professor Colleen Ward in person in Easter term. This time she was able to give a talk in person using the new “State of the art” AV facilities in the Dining Hall. A good turnout of SCR members and students enjoyed her talk ‘ A Pocket Guide to Crossing Cultures’.

We look forward now to our final event of the term which will be an SCR guest night on 24th June.

If you are not yet a member of Cuth’s SCR and would like to be please contact Dr Mark Miller cuthberts.scr-president@ durham.ac.uk DR MARK MILLER, SCR President scr.president@durham.ac.uk

32

July 2022 July 2019

Cuthbert’s Chronicle

Bar News

Tannyth Morley, Bar Steward

Cuth’s Bar Staff 2021-22 that our fabulous bar team have pulled through and have been able to provide some very needed pints (or Frogs) after two years stuck inside.

This year has been an interesting one, navigating the transition out of Covid measures and a return to normal service for the first time in two years with all but two of our previous staff graduating and introducing an entirely new bar team. It hasn’t been without its difficulties, from being unable to stock green VKs in Fresher’s Week (the mainstay of Cuth’s Bar) due to supply chain issues, to numerous equipment breaking at once thanks to not having been used for two years! However, I think it’s safe to say

There have been plenty of changes around the bar this year, most notably the new floor (which definitely took some getting used to), and of course our exciting new beer selection – who’d have thought anything could stem the flow of the Frog, but Madri seems to be giving it a run for its money!

It has been a great year for Cuth’s events in the bar, seeing the very successful return of the Feast of St.Cuthbert in February; showcasing excellent live music with Cuth’s Live events; and plenty of karaoke nights! Next on the agenda is Cuth’s Day, returning to 12 South Bailey for the first time since my first year. I’m so excited for the current students who have never experienced a proper Cuth’s Day to

finally see what all the fuss is about. Let’s just hope it doesn’t rain!

We’re looking forward to next year, as the new building is completed down at Parson’s Field, to revitalising Brooks Bar with many more events such as our popular pub quizzes. And there are plans in motion for some exciting new renovations to the Bailey Bar… watch this space!

Cuthbert’s Chronicle

33

Catering Team Update Haley Carr Food and Beverage Services Manager This past year for the Front of House Catering team has been a roller coaster.

After spending the two previous years in lockdown, on furlough or working through Covid with restrictions in place it has been great being having some normality back in the dining hall. Now that restrictions have eased we have been able to get to know the students much better without having to talk through masks and screens.

We had fun decorating the hall for Halloween as well as having our very own pumpkin carving competition for the students. We had the honour of hosting a special lunch for Cuth’s Alumni Charlotte Riley. Our very own Sindy Studham finally became Mrs Ward after two years of postponing due to Covid. There has also been a restructure within the kitchen team which means we will be saying goodbye to Donna and Paul. They will be a huge miss at Cuth’s and we would like to wish them all the best in their new locations.

To finish off we would like to say thank you to our first year students. It has been an absolute pleasure looking after you. Even with all the problems we have had with the dishwasher they have been understanding with the situation. Haley Carr.

34

Cuthbert’s Chronicle

July 2022 July 2019

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Rebecca Eves 2022 saw Cuth’s form a new committee dedicated to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.

A joint venture between The Society and the JCR, the EDI Committee seeks to improve inclusion by developing and promoting EDI initiatives and overseeing the work done within the college to ensure it is carried out with EDI matters in mind. Cuth’s is already an inclusive, welcoming college, but a desire for continuous improvement has led to this development.

The Committee’s membership includes: •Vice-Principal (or other College Officer when necessary), •President of the Society, •Postgraduate and Mature Students’ President, •JCR Working Class Students Representative, •JCR LGBTQ+ Representative, •JCR International Representative, •JCR Students with Disabilities Representative, •JCR Local Students Representative, and •JCR Ethnic Minorities Representative.

•College Chaplain •A staff member from St Cuthbert’s Society teams (operations, catering, housekeeping, residential services assistants) as required.

And a member of the Senior Common Room.

Meeting twice a term, the Committee already has initiatives underway, including the creation of an online gateway for all EDI-related resources and a consultation survey on inclusivity and diversity at Cuth’s.

It is also working with the University’s central EDI team on rolling out training for staff and students.

Cuthbert’s Chronicle

Cuth’s Film Project

With Producer and Director Paul Sng and Student Film-Maker Bradley Parke.

Students at Cuth’s had the opportunity to pitch their ideas for a short film to work with award winning Director and Producer Paul Sng. Paul is a bi-racial British Chinese filmmaker and writer whose work is driven by methodical research, creative storytelling and a collaborative approach that strives for inclusivity and diversity. Underpinning all of his films is an eye for strong characters and compelling narratives, all the while working to establish and maintain trustful relationships both in front of and behind the camera. His documentaries have been broadcast on national television and screened internationally and include Sleaford Mods – Invisible Britain (2015), Dispossession (2017) and Poly Styrene: I Am A Cliché (2021). He is the editor of two narrative photography books, Invisible Britain: Portraits of Hope and Resilience (2018) and This Separated Isle (2021).

Student Bradley Parke’s pitch was chosen, and shooting took place last week. The film will debut in College in Michaelmas term. Watch the college website for further details!

As a third-year economics and politics student, I applied for this competition because whilst film-making is something that I have always found really fascinating, I’ve never quite had the opportunity to experience it from the producer’s side. I am so grateful for the chance to work with Paul and hopefully we’ll create something that we can be proud of! The film is going well. Paul, Hollie and I had a great time filming all of the footage one Friday morning at 5am - strange to see the Durham streets so empty! We will now work on finalising the edit and the score/sound so that we can hopefully finish it by the end of summer! We don’t yet have a title but I believe that’ll probably manifest out of nowhere during the rest of the process. Bradley Parke June 2022

Bailey Wardrobe Initiative The Bailey wardrobe is a cross-JCR initiative which aims to provide members of Cuth’s, John’s and Hatfield with sustainable and affordable clothing options for formals and balls. With the frequency of formal events being so high in Durham, buying clothing for every event is not only extremely expensive but also vastly damaging on the Environment. Previously, the wardrobe had relied on alumni and student donations which were scarce and often outdated. Recognising its need for funding, myself and Professor Tammi Walker submitted a grant proposal to the Greenspace Ring-Fenced-Carbon-Budget. Through this scheme, we were awarded £5000 for the Bailey wardrobe! This money is being spent on a physical wardrobe for all the stock to be kept in with the bulk of the money being spent on new garments. By the start of the 2022/2023 academic year, the wardrobe will be in full use, with students being able to rent garments for any occasion. Our hope is that this scheme will contribute to Cuth’s commitment to being an inclusive college, as well as aligning with its environmental principles.

Georgie Musson

35

36 36

July 2022

Cuthbert’s Cuthbert’s Chronicle Chronicle

July 2019

JCR NEWS Alfie Whillis

BA (Hons) Music 2021

President 2021-2022 This year at Cuth’s has been uniquely difficult but extremely exciting.

Starting back up (semi) normal work after a year and a half of restrictions has been tough for everyone, but I think the whole JCR should be proud - we’ve not only recovered to where we were before but, as we always do, we’ve kept on pushing things forward.

Whilst our team of freps hadn’t experienced a normal Freshers’ Week themselves, they really pulled it out of the bag and delivered an amazing week of events. A highlight for me was matriculation; despite being held in a tent on the racecourse due to the Cathedral’s capacity issues, some complex logistics, strict timing, and lots of freps herding meant we gave the freshers the classic parade down the Bailey nonetheless.

A testament to their hard work is the fantastic engagement of freshers with committees, sports and societies this year. It’s been great to see so many new students engage, and many 2nd years who didn’t get the chance last year.

Coming into the role of President, I’d never been on the JCR Exec before.

There was a lot to learn but, I hope, I’ve been able to inject some fresh thinking into the JCR. Whilst we’ve brought back old traditions, like Panto and Eurovision, there’s been new ones too. A major restructure of the Exec and Welfare will allow us to work more efficiently and build

our alumni community, through a new Development Officer role. It has been a pleasure to support OutreachComm in planning a volunteering trip to Calais and SocialComm in delivering some of our most ambitious events to date.

Collaborating with SSDP on a campaign on harm reduction has been a personal passion project and, I believe, is the kind of progressive work JCR should be pushing forward in the University.

However, the biggest change in Cuth’s this year was of course welcoming our new Principal to the Society. It has been a joy to work with Tammi this year and I’m confident that the strong tradition of close collaboration between the JCR and staff will continue for many more years. We’ve worked with Tammi to support our plan to revamp JCR facilities; we’ve already refreshed our JCRs and we’re finishing off a new JCR office in House 8. The new building at Brooks House when it is (finally) completed will be an asset to the Cuth’s community, proving ample space for JCR events and activities as well as a modern gym space.

I’ve been particularly keen to keep our commitment to all our facilities and services being open to all members at no extra cost. A new college EDI Committee, set up at the initiative of students, will allow us to continually improve on our track record of inclusivity in years to come. The JCR Participation Fund

has seen record levels of applications, ensuring no sport or society is financially inaccessible to Cuth’s students.

As you’ll read in the pages of this Chronicle, our sports and societies have bounced back from Covid and achieved great things this year. Mixed Lax reached the Floodlit Cup final, whilst Women’s Rugby placed 3rd in the Premiership and Men’s Hockey won the league! LGBTQ+ Society had the chance to hold their much-awaited Pride Formal and a new group, Music Appreciation Society, has been a huge hit.

JCR democracy has unsurprisingly remained strong. Some of the more interesting motions passed this year have been a proposal to scrap gowns at Cuth’s for good and a change to allow sabbatical officers to be re-elected for a second term. A highly motivated team of students and sabbs has already been elected for next year and there’s much buzz about what will come next.

As I reach the end of my term as President of the Society, and four years in Durham, I hope I’ve been able to leave Cuth’s slightly better than how I found it. We’re far from perfect but Cuth’s is definitely leading the pack; I know I’ve left it in great hands to keep on pulling ahead.

Alfie Whillis. June 2022

Cuthbert’s Chronicle

Incoming President Kirstin McCann 2022-2023 I’m Kirstin and I’m the incoming President of the Society. I have just finished studying Maths and I am the current Vice-President.

Before Vice-President I was a student trustee but I must say it has been this last year that inspired me to run for President - being able to work with so many people this year and create some really effective change made me realise I am not done here yet.

It’s been amazing this year to see us bounce back but the coming year is full of many new opportunities that will really help us continue pushing forward. I’m really excited to host the first Returners Gala with College and the Alumni Association in September and it is one of my priorities this year to build stronger connections with our alumni community with the new Development Officer role.

We will finally have the new building at Brooks up and ready for the next year which will be great to host a range of JCR events and give students the spaces they’ve been asking for so I am really looking forward to seeing Cuth’s with a

strong, renewed presence at Parsons.

During my last three years here I’ve been involved in our drama society 12 South Theatre and I’d like for this year to be the year where the Arts at Cuth’s thrives with a Festival of Art event showcasing all different forms of artistic talent. There’s lot more I hope to do like help to tackle food waste in College and host more JCR formals so it will be a busy year and one I can’t wait to get started with!

Kirstin McCann, June 2022

37

38

JulyJuly 2022 2019

Cuthbert’s Chronicle

Cuth’s JCR Events Round up by Emma Whiley It has been a great year for JCR events, with the return of many long-standing Cuth’s events, and the introduction of some new!

The year kicked off with Oktoberfest in Cuth’s Bar. With German beers on tap, a very competitive costume competition, and bratwurst and chips for all, the evening was a huge success. Highlights included the karaoke and the German oompah performance.

Michaelmas term also included the first Michaelmas Ball in two years, themed What Happens in Vegas… The event sold out in minutes, and 550 students attended on the night, which was at a beautifully transformed Beamish Hall Hotel. Social Comm. managed to organise a Vegas-themed wonderland, with plenty of casino tables and burlesque dancers. A huge thank you has to go to our Michaelmas Ball Chair, Savannah Bucciarelli, who created the theme and made our first Michaelmas Ball back such a huge success.

Formals returned in Epiphany Term, and our Formals Manager Issy Fowler rose to the task. 3rd years that missed the muchloved “Halfway Through” Formal last year were instead invited to a Halfway Through and a Bit Formal. Another memorable formal was for St Patricks Day, with an Irish themed menu, a folk band, and plenty of decorations turning the Dining Hall and Bar into a miniature Ireland for the night. In February, we also had the chance to finally hold the long-awaited LGBTQ+ Pride Formal, cancelled two years ago due to the pandemic. Other classic Cuth’s events made their return this year, such as Cuth’s Does Eurovision which saw a stunning turnout, with an even more stunning result for the UK! Disco came to 12 South Bailey in Epiphany Term, with a Disco Wonderland-themed Feast of St Cuthbert. With Sangeeta Unnikrishnan as our Feast Manager, the Dining Hall, Bar and JCR were transformed into a different world. The garden of House 12 was filled with a marquee of arcade games, and a very popular inflatable battleground. The chef, Robert Wilkinson, and the catering staff created a delicious three course menu to start the evening, before the ‘ents’ portion of the night began.

Thanks have to go to the bar staff, who not only created a signature glitter cocktail for the event, but also worked so hard on an incredibly busy night.

Summer Term is the busiest in the Cuth’s social calendar, with both Cuth’s Day and Summer Ball falling within weeks of each other. Liv Dawson was our Summer Ball Manager this year, and Social Comm. worked hard to bring her Alice in Wonderland theme to life. Down The Rabbit Hole was a night to remember, with a Queen of Hearts drag queen performance, four rides and a three-course meal, all of which happened on the 6th of June at Derwent Manor Hotel. With the event being open to alumni and external guests, we enjoyed seeing the return of some familiar faces!

Cuth’s Day was celebrated in style on the 18th of June, the first time it had been able to take place in 12 South Bailey gardens since 2019. A fabulous way to round off a brilliant year!

39 Chronicle Cuthbert’s Chronicle Cuthbert’s 39

40

JulyJuly 2022 2019

Cuthbert’s Cuthbert’sChronicle Chronicle

Sports and Societies Round up 2021-2022 2021-2022 has been a brilliant year for Team Cuth’s. Our Sports and Societies have gone from strength to strength, with incredible events, sporting successes and memories made. With ever-relaxing COVID-19 regulations and guidelines, Cuth’s Sports and Societies have been able to grow and evolve, enhancing the lives of Cuth’s Students.

Following a successful Freshers Fair all the way back in October, Sports and Socs welcomed a new intake of ‘keen fresh’ (as well as students from across all years) - all eager to get involved in everything Cuth’s has to offer.

Our Societies have run some incredible events this year. CRACAS have linked with the SCR for their Ale and Cheese evenings, which have been a great success. FemSoc ran a highly engaging series of talks and socials, ArtSoc ran some good creative sessions, and Book Club met to discuss some incredible reads - to name just a few. This year we welcomed many new societies - with the additions of Music Appreciation Society (MAS), Adele Society, and Cuth’s Goes to the Movies - taking our numbers to

40+. These new societies have started to increase their membership and run events, and we look forward to seeing what the next year brings.

We also enjoyed a brilliant year in sport. Our Mixed Lacrosse made it the furthest they have in recent memory in the Floodlit Cup, coming second only to Collingwood. Our Men’s Hockey won their league and represented Team Durham in the college varsity against Loughborough, alongside our men’s Futsal Team. Our Women’s Rugby and Football teams both made it to the Floodlit semi-finals, and Wildcats Cheer (joint with Hatfield) performed incredibly well at the inter-collegiate Cheer Competition. This does not take into account the vast numbers of individual matches won by our incredible teams, or the incredible achievements of Cuth’s students representing Team Durham - anyone who has taken part in any matches this year should be proud.

Looking ahead - we still have an exciting summer of sport, so stay tuned to see what’s next for the incredible Team Cuth’s! #bleedgreen

Abi Fisher

Stop Press - Cuth’s at The Henley Regatta At St Cuthbert’s Society we are extrememly proud of the Senior Women’s IV + who were able to compete at The Henley Women’s Regatta on 17th June 2022 with funding from the Student Development Award.

They rowed alongside some of the best crews in the country and performed magnificently!

Cuthbert’s Chronicle

St Cuthbert’s Society Boat Club 2021-2022 We knew this year would be challenging given the drop in membership following the pandemic and a year of characteristically awful Durham weather, so we were really keen to introduce as many new people to rowing as possible.

We recently passed a motion restructuring the pricing and subscriptions model of our club - resulting in Novice membership dropping from £65/yr to just £25/yr, with race licenses and equipment included. Hence we were able to welcome 48 novices, completely new to rowing and a total of 71 members back to SCSBC after difficult year.

Our season started off the same as always, teaching the novices how to row before the first race of the year, Novice Cup, held in week 7/8 of Michaelmas term. We had some great success: the first women’s novice IV+ coming second in the time trials out of over 25 college crews, with a strong performance in the erg relay the next day - hosted by Cuth’s due to poor weather conditions.

Following this, the senior squads got themselves back up and running - both the Men’s and Women’s squads fielding strong top coxed IV’s. We had The women’s IV consisting of the women’s captain, Sarah Orr, the two novice women’s coaches, Bella Craddock and Antonia Stulz and newcomer 1st year Ella Andrews coxed by Annika Hanson the captain of coxes have had great success throughout the year. Winning their bands in Durham Small Boats Head, and coming second at senate cup to a strong Collingwood IV. As part of a composite VIII’s crew with Grey College, the women won their band at Rutherford Head in Newcastle, and went on to compete at Women’s Head of the River Race (WeHoRR). The reverse Oxbridge boatrace course on the Thames, with some of the best crews in the UK. They finished as the third fastest college crew.

The men’s IV have also got in their race experience, made up of Tom Hurrell (Vice-Captain), Stan Bates (Men’s Captain), George Patterson (Treasurer) and Robbie Goodwin (Sponsorship Secretary) coxed by Scarlet Barras. Together they competed

41

across the North-East, taking part in multiple races in Newcastle, Durham and soon Hexham and Durham Regattas.

We had a fantastic start to Epiphany term with the return of our annual Ceilidh dinner, hosted in Durham city. It had a great turnout of just over 55 rowers and their friends. We are looking forward to welcoming back alumni with our awards dinner on the Saturday, 25th of June during SCSBC weekend.

This term is about integrating the novices into the senior programs to form the base for our squads next year, and getting ready for our biggest race of the year: Durham Regatta. The women have formed a full Cuth’s VIII, consisting of 3 novices who started this year, and a novice 4 who will be racing at both Hexham, and Durham Regatta this June. The original women’s IV also plan on competing at Women’s Henley Regatta down south for the first time since 1982, with costs largely funded by the Cuth’s Student Development Fund. Overall we’ve really enjoyed rebuilding the senior squads this year, and we’re very busy running intense training weeks to make the most of everyone’s free time post exams to get race-ready. Personally I’m really excited to see how the club gets on next year with the new Co-Club Captains Tom and Stan.

Jack Reeves Captain of Boats June 2022

42

July 2022

Cuthbert’s Chronicle

12 South Theatre is Back!

Meg McCubbin President

July 2019

The famous Cuth’s Panto made a dazzling, post-Covid return for two sold-out performances at the end of Michaelmas term with the Cuth’s version of Peter Pan. The characters Peter Pres, Tinker Boop and the Hatfield Pirates went on a wonderful adventure to the Bailey, Brooks, and Beyond!

After an AGM held in epiphany term, I am pleased to announce that 12 South Theatre has a full exec once again with exciting plans for the future of the company.

Preparations for a Cuth’s Cabaret are currently underway to showcase Cuth’s talent, and we are in the process of assisting Outreach with their 24-Hour Musical project.

We are really looking forward to producing more shows in Michaelmas term and would encourage anyone, with or without experience, to get involved!

Gardening Society

Gardening society has grown a lot this year (pun intended). We began the year with a mini plant pot painting social in the conference room whilst the autumnal weather was too gloomy for gardening. We also gathered pots that were donated by the generous Durham locals which will be used for future projects.

We have worked closely with college throughout the year to plan multiple events and gain access to a cupboard to keep our supplies safe and organised.

In November, we tidied the House 12 gardens for the annual remembrance ceremony, which was extremely rewarding. Since then, we have held two further garden clean-ups thanks to Susan Warren which have proved successful in providing an opportunity for volunteers to relax from academic stress with some light gardening.

The dining hall very kindly provided free brunch for the volunteers after these events, which we are extremely grateful for!

We have also been granted permission to use the Wendy House Gardens for our own projects, where we intend to plant flowers and a range of produce for members of the society to share. This garden will be maintained over the summer, providing students with something to do during the break if they happen to be staying in Durham.

Thank you to Dr Jon and Mrs Susan Warren and all our lovely gardeners who have joined in this year! We will continue to garden and encourage plant-related activities in all forms, hopefully hosting a herb planting session and a balsam bashing social in the next few weeks post-exams!

Charis Thompson Gardening Society May 2022

Cuthbert’s Chronicle

CRACAS

(Cuth’s Real Ale and Cider Appreciation Society) CRACAS (Cuth’s Real Ale and Cider Appreciation Society) has had a great year. Alongside supporting and building good relations with local businesses, we’ve been up to a lot in Cuth’s as well.

We’ve hosted three ale and cheese evenings, one per term, in the SCR with Mark Miller (SCR President). Each time, we sampled three or four ales and ciders from local breweries in the North East, and from further afield, and enjoyed a variety of cheeses from the cheese market in Durham. They were always enjoyed by a healthy mix of both JCR and SCR members. We hope that the tradition of doing joint events with the SCR will continue for some time.

In December we managed to finance an all-in-one brewing system, which now lives proudly in House 8. This has allowed us to start all-grain brewing (brewing from scratch), which has been an excellent learning opportunity for those who have come to a brew day. It was inaugurated with a British brown ale, which received rave reviews when we sampled it in January and is certainly a step-up from some of our previous attempts. We’re passing our techniques down the Cuth’s generations so that future CRACAS members will be able to experiment with new and interesting beers in the future.

On the cider front, we’ve also had considerable success.

Back in October, we experimented with making cider with two different yeasts (champagne yeast and ale yeast) and compared the difference a couple of months later. The two ciders were almost different drinks, the former crisp and dry, the latter far more sour and medium-sweet. It was really interesting to taste the difference that the strain of yeast makes!

Ben Thomas

We’ve recently turned our focus to homebrewing!

Awards and Grants 2021-22 Awards and grants are funded thanks to the generosity of Cuth’s alumni and friends. Any current student can apply for a Grant or Award. (Please Note: Bursary applications are managed differently - eligible students will be sent an invitation to apply).

SCR Performing Arts Grants were awarded to: Sascha Lowdermilk-Oppenheim Leah Pinter Student Development Awards were awarded to: Alanah Hersey (Group Award- Orchestra) Jessica Blair Qinghuan Huang Sarah Orr Erin Stowell Leah Pinter Charis Thompson Archie Butler-Gallie China Luckman (Group Award - Outreach) Annika Hanson (Group Award - Boat Club) Postgraduate Research Grants were award to: Charlotte Carter Beverley Still Annabel Storr Ahmed Faruk Saglamoz Marianna Bottiglieri Lydia Shaw

The next round of applications will open at the beginning of the Michaelmas Term. Current students will be notified when applications are open with a link to the form. Please see more on our webpages: https://www.durham.ac.uk/colleges-and-student-experience/colleges/st-cuthberts-society/college-life/bursariesawards-and-grants/awards-and-grants-page/

43

44 44

July 2022

Cuthbert’s Chronicle Cuthbert’s Chronicle

St Cuthbert’s Society Climbing Club

Zoe Hiscutt

After a year of climbing door frames,tabletops, and anything else that climbers could get their hands on during lockdown climbing this year came back with a bang!

July 2019

Throughout this year, we have enjoyed cake, focaccia, shortbread and other baked goods every week that people have lovingly baked for a mid-climbing sugar hit. We’ve had post-climbing trips to the Swan and socials where certain Bailey walls were climbed and roofs were hung onto. And the legendary Pirates vs Ninjas social is making a return this year!

We’ve taken a few weekend trips to Darlington and Newcastle to try out different climbing centres. The most dedicated climbers have managed a few injuries (chipped teeth, broken fingers, tendonitis) but despite that, they have kept on climbing. There have been a few Cuth’s Climbing games invented, which hopefully will continue on for years. The game +1 continued, but we have also invented ‘get to the top of the wall in as few holds as possible’ (the clue is in the name) which definitely hasn’t led to any scrapes and falls…!

We also ran a fundraiser last year for Climbers Against Cancer, where we raced against Trev’s and Chad’s throughout February to reach the highest elevation collectively as a climbing club — and we won! Cuth’s has the biggest community of climbers of any college in Durham. We’re committed and absolutely love Cuth’s. Despite all the forearm pain that climbing gives you, it has been a brilliant year, and I hope that climbing continues on being as brilliant as it has been in the past.

Cuth’s Cricket Lucas Rehman

Although we haven’t progressed past the embryonic stages of the outdoor season, it has nonetheless already been a highly successful year for Cuth’s Cricket - or the SCSCCSCBBQ if you will!

Having accrued a breadth of players last year, this year the quality of fresher intake has surpassed even last year’s high. A very satisfying indoor season saw both the Indoor As and Bs top their respective groups, and particularly pleasing was the array of players that turned out for the club. A particular highlight of that indoor season was Thomas Sayer, a man who expects to pass out from the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, in the not-too-distant future, demonstrating the leadership skills and never say die attitude that that particular institution so prizes by successfully running out every single member of the side that he was skippering, before stoically and gallantly running himself out as last man!

With a lively calendar - both playing and social - over the coming weeks, the year remains full of promise from a cricketing perspective. The ‘As’ remain highly competitive - whisper it quietly but the club can now lay claim to four current or ex international cricketers, even if representing the Swiss national side is as much an exercise in attendance as it is knowing your middle stump from your silly mid-off! The ‘Bs’ have managed to marry their ever-enduring sociability with a suggestion of decent croquet. A recent intra club friendly had to be extended into a tri-team tournament to account for the numbers of keen cricketers within the club. In my years here the idea of having over 33 members available at any given time was simply unheard of.

With more women also making themselves available as well, we hope that the boys and girls will continue to go from strength to strength and do justice to their talent and spirit, all while sporting some very nifty new Baggy Green and Whites.

Frisbee

Hockey

St Cuthbert’ Ultimate Frisbee (SCUF) are a proud mixedgender sports team represented by some of Cuth’s finest and friendliest. Now, ultimate frisbee is not just about having a casual throw-about. This is a sport we take seriously! No, ultimate frisbee is a highly athletic and technical sport that involves moving a frisbee amongst a team of seven players until it is caught in the opposite endzone, leading to a score.

That said, it is also a very accessible sport and SCUF are always welcoming of beginners, with most of the team having never played before coming to university.

In the last 3 years, Cuth’s Hockey has seen an incredible turn around in performance. Despite the disruption of Covid, both men and women were able to win their respective leagues and progress to the premiership. The Women’s team in particular were outstanding and won Cuth’s team of the year in 2021.

In 2022, the club’s main target was not only to stay in the premiership but also to compete at the top. This was no easy feat with extremely strong Collingwood, Hatfield, Van Mildert and Grey sides, among others.

Jess Taylor

This year SCUF are one of the biggest frisbee clubs in Durham, evidence of the commitment given to this fun and friendly sport. With such a large team, we are one of the few clubs able to field both an A-team and a B-team into the leagues. In the premiership, the A-team have become a formidable opponent, with several members also playing for DU. Recently SCUF celebrated almost not losing to Castle (if you know, you know), which may just go down in SCUF history. Meanwhile, the B-team proudly hold their own in Division 1 against other college’s A-teams.

SCUF are now ready to send two teams to the Festival of Sport!

Cuthbert’s Cuthbert’sChronicle Chronicle

45

Ned Gordon

The Women’s team had a tricky start to the season in the premiership with some tough games against the top teams.

However, an extremely strong second term and end of the season lifted them up to a strong final position of 6th.

Captained by Clara Tyler and Harriet Cuthbert and featuring some strong 1st and 2nd year players the team showed great determination and skill, promising high hopes for the premiership next season.

The Men’s team began the season with a strong win over Aidan’s and followed that up with a vital win over previous runners up Grey College 3-1. With 2 wins from 2, the team found themselves at the top of the table with a superior goal difference, accompanied by the sudden realisation we had a very good chance of competing for the title. The next games saw strong victories over previous champions Hatfield and a competitive Mary’s with a cagey 1-1 draw against our title fighters Collingwood A. Captained by Alex Chak and Thomas Sayer, the team went into the final game against a very strong John’s side with excitement and trepidation. Another win, leading to rapturous celebrations meant that the Cuths Mens team had won the hockey premiership for the first time in over 8 years.

These strong league performances from both sides has seen Cuths propel itself to the top, establishing us as arguably the best hockey college in Durham. With some great performances throughout the season across all year groups and some great leadership on display for next year, the future is bright for Cuths Hockey.

Men’s Team 2022

46

July 2022 July 2019

Cuthbert’s Chronicle

Rugby

Stephen ‘Strawes’ Rawes (Men’s Captain 2021/22) and Sophie Musgrave (Women’s Captain 2021/22)

Men’s Rugby

Women’s Rugby SCSWRFC encapsulates the spirit of the Society - competition, passion, and dedication. It is one of the most successful teams in all aspects – performance, community, and inclusivity. We welcome players from all experiences and backgrounds, many of our new players this season were beginners, yet several are now training with the University team.

Like many clubs and societies, SCSRFC’s activities have been greatly restricted over the past two years. This year’s goal was to set SCSRFC on a path to its former glory, a resounding success. The future of SCSRFC looks as bright as ever!

Dominating Van Mildert in a friendly filled us with hope and sent shockwaves through college rugby.! Thanks to the allstar team of 2019 we were allocated to the premier league of college rugby. We struggled through this, by December we were struggling to field sides. Lesser men would have given up, we continued to fight. When all hope was lost, our Playing Captain Craig Cunningham led us to a momentous first round Floodlit Cup victory against Collingwood. The crowd erupted into celebration. After an unjustifiably long first-round victory pitch side celebration, the University cut off the floodlights in an attempt to encourage players and fans to conclude the night and go home but celebrations raged on as tradition would dictate with a lock-in lasting until the next morning. In true Cuth’s rugby fashion, we had once again drawn huge crowds and created an electric atmosphere all in aid of charity.

Socials led by William Mackay and Samuel Elliot have successfully navigated COVID-19 regulations, maintained our inclusive culture and have been a lot of fun. All members have enjoyed the socials, made great friends and unforgettable memories this year. The Cuth’s Old Boy’s Rugby Association (COBRA) social attracted 20 COBRA members showing their everlasting loyalty to the club and offering a beautiful insight into the club’s history. The unprecedented turnout resulted in an incredible night to remember that most had forgotten by morning!

SCSRFC has defined my time at Durham. It has been a privilege and honour to serve as Club Captain this year and I would like to thank everyone for their dedication both on and off the pitch. I look forward to becoming a member of COBRA and seeing how the club and its members progress into the future.

We have excelled on and off the pitch, losing only two matches and conceding no walkovers. The success of the club is a result of the dedicated exec, coaches, and players. Our consistent training, commitment, and enthusiasm mean we are the best college women’s rugby team, fielding a team every week with over five subs. We are more than just a rugby club. MK Aaroey, having never played rugby before university, joined SCSWRFC in their fresher’s week and is now training with the university squad. They comment that the club is a community that makes everyone feel at home. There have been several notable players this season, including first years Marguerite Julia and Iman McCarthy, showing great promise for the future of SCSWRFC. SCSWRFC fosters a community which promotes success in all areas. Our socials this year have developed bonds between players in different year groups and have been a highlight for many members developing our community spirit. SCSWRFC has maintained strong relationships with other societies, including Men’s rugby with whom we have held joint training sessions which have been of great benefit.

Katie Moran (team captain 2019/2020) says her favourite part of SCSWRFC over her four years at Durham has been watching people develop their skills and love of rugby.

SCSWRFC is more than a rugby club, it is a family that comes together to play a sport we love, relieve stress, and make friends. Rugby, a traditionally male-dominated sport, can be daunting to many, and we aim to break down these barriers to increase the number of women playing the sport. It has been a privilege and an honour to be the club captain this year and I am extremely proud of all we have achieved. SCSWRFC is a relatively new society only five years old, and I look forward to seeing what the future holds.

Netball

Cuthbert’s Chronicle

Cuthbert’s Chronicle 4747

by Lexie Linnell

Cuth’s netball has had another very successful year, with 4 teams competing in the league matches. The D team made some real progress this year and the A team came 4th in the premiership just missing out on the medals. However, the B and C team made the medals with the B team coming in 3rd and the C team doing one better by coming in 2nd meaning they are up for promotion next year!! The society took part in the DUNC 24-hour charity netball match raising money for Moving on Durham and Sport in Zambia and are currently planning a charity netball match against Cuth’s Lions! With the Sport’s Day and Varsity matches still to come, hopefully we can get a lot more wins in the bag!!

Basketball

Squash

The 2021/22 season was very successful for the Cuth’s men’s basketball team. We ended the year 8-2 in league play, finishing second in the league in both terms (Division 1). The future of the club is looking bright, with the majority of the team first-year students who hustle hard and always come ready to win.

After recovering from the losses of some club bastions over the last two years, this year has seen us consolidate and perform admirably thanks largely to some excellent performances at the top of the team, strong fresher recruitment and the magic college squash ingredient of superior attendance to the opposition.

Daniel Ainscough

Lucas Rehman

Particular praise must go to current president Barney Henton for his enduring love of the sport, the club and his leadership throughout the year. He has very much been the star to our every wandering bark. Praise too should go to incoming president Sam Smith, who as far as I’m aware had very rarely, if ever, picked up a teardrop shaped racquet before this year but has thrown himself into playing and is now rarely to be found off Both teams are seeking to end the season strongly, with the Hild-Bede varsity and Festival of Sport to look forward to later in court. In his hands the club should continue to grow healthily.

Easter term.

A slight shame perhaps is that our women’s section has perhaps not reached the lofty heights that it has in previous years, but as ever we’re just a freshers fair away from resolving that. There are few colleges that can claim to put out 3 teams on a weekly basis with anything like the regularity we can, and certainly none that do so with the good nature that we do. The hope is that in the very capable hands of Sam, Theo Vesey et al next year we will continue to go from strength to strength, even if for the first time in five years there will be no Barney Henton to grace the by now ravaged Racecourse Courts with his fleet feet and dazzling cross court nicks.

The women’s team was combined with Hild-Bede to form a team in the Women Premiership, finishing with a respectable 2-4 record in 5th place in Epiphany Term. A notable victory was defeating the eventual 2nd place Grey-Collingwood-JoBo team 31-19.

Photograph @rhall_photography

48

July 2022 July 2019

Cuthbert’s Chronicle

The Library -

Zoe Hiscutt

Cuth’s Library has been called the best library in Durham (anonymously) and for good reason. The year started off with the Big Summer Book Sale. We raised a huge amount to go towards the library. We had more book sales throughout the year in addition to other events like popcorn hour, where we trialled Cuth’s popcorn machine and had a very cosy mug-painting session around Christmas time, where we painted mugs and coasters for the library whilst it snowed outside! We’ve added to the library catalogue through generous donations from alumni, especially the collection from previous Principal Professor Roy Boyne.

Photograph @rhall_photography

We donated some books to the People’s Bookshop, a second-hand bookshop, well worth a visit, just next to Vennels. The biscuits have also returned this year, after last year’s devastating lack due to COVID. There are more mugs to borrow, and other cosy things like hot chocolate and hot water bottles. Before the Christmas holidays, we ran a blind-date-with-a-book scheme, where people could take free books based on their descriptions as a gift for themselves or others. But undoubtedly the most important thing about Cuth’s Library is that it’s the only student-run library in Durham. The library couldn’t exist without the volunteers that run it, there’s a huge number of students that make it what it is, and it’s that community spirit that keeps the library going. And while it may be small, there’s no other library as warm or wholesome as Cuth’s Library.

Orchestra

Cuth’s, Hatfield & Chad’s Combined Orchestra has successfully completed its first year as a fully established society! Although it was set up in March 2020, the orchestra has been heavily impacted by Covid-19 and was only able to have three rehearsals in the academic year 2020/2021. However, this year the orchestra has gone from strength to strength, with record numbers attending. We have played a wide repertoire of music including works by Vaughn-Williams, Waldteufel, Holst and John Williams. Currently, we are working towards an end of year concert to showcase the hard work and talent of Cuth’s, Hatfield and Chad’s orchestral musicians. Alanah Hersey

Choir The Choir have been busy this year singing regular evensong services at St Margaret’s Church, Crossgate as well as at special events such as the Principal’s Garden Party, the Combined Choirs Evensong in the Cathedral and at the Order of St John of Jerusalem and St John Ambulance annual service of Commemoration and Rededication, also in the Cathedral.

Cuthbert’s Chronicle

New Look JCR The Bailey JCR has had a facelift!

New furniture was chosen by the Junior Common Room, funded by College and ordered by the Operations Manager in time for the Easter term.

There is now a large study/ meeting area and a cosy social area available.

PGM Murder Mystery Formal A highlight of the year for us was being able to do our annual murder mystery formal where we invite PGM students from across the university to attend. The cast and crew ranged from 1st year undergraduates to those completing their PhD research and it demonstrated an amazing coming together of ideas and talent from across the Cuth’s community, which resulted in the highlight of our social calendar. Most importantly, we managed to fool most attendees of the killer’s identity, keeping up our long tradition of difficult but rewarding mysteries to solve.

49

Postgraduate Round Up Jack Simmonds

This year has been a year of significant change.

Coming back from Covid restrictions, we have had to learn how to bring back the Postgraduate and Mature Students (PGM) community to Cuth’s. As the PGM Students President, it has been amazing to see the enthusiasm of PGM students in Cuth’s to get involved and cultivate a community that extends beyond a Zoom pub quiz. This year, we had one of our best PGM Freshers’ Weeks in recent memory. With the help of the incredible international rep. Elena and other PGM Presidents, we were able to organise trips outside of Durham, inter-college events and, most-importantly, the long-awaited return to the Bailey Bar.

We have managed to return to in-person research events, working with the SCR to allow University staff and students from a range of subject areas to come into college to share the amazing work they are doing.

Going into the summer, we hope to provide more of these opportunities to students completing their research; and working with College and the SCR to make long-term changes to increase the range of research events in the coming years.

It has been a pleasure to be a part of the resurgence of Cuth’s this year and I can only imagine what is to come with a community as dedicated and enthusiastic as this one.

Jack Simmonds June 2022

50

July 2022July 2019

Cuthbert’s Chronicle

Outreach by China Luckman, Outreach Chair It is with great pride that Outreach Committee are able to look back over months of successful fundraising, volunteering and events. Despite a slightly trepidatious start to the year we found our feet very quickly. We packed a punch with our first event in the form of Twelve Days of Outreach, a festive programme comprising a wide range of volunteering and fundraising events. It was important to us to have a variety of activities, as both fundraising and volunteering are invaluable ways to give back to the community in their own right. Working with DUSVO (the central Uni volunteering outfit), Outreach was pleased to get involved with their Christmas card drive campaign. Students sent festive wishes to those in local care homes- especially important as Covid had increased isolation for older members of the community! We also worked with Feeding Families, a local foodbank, to coordinate food donations and Blood Soc. to hold a blood donation drive. It was very exciting to be back in the game, and operating face to face! In spite of a fairly fresh faced committee, we were delighted to raise £1000 for Rainbow Trust North East, a fantastic local organisation that supports the families of children who have life threatening illnesses.

Among the events that we put on was a boozy bingo night (hosted by the iconic Jack Simmonds, our PGM president), a Christmas karaoke night, and a particularly popular festive silent disco.

In Epiphany term we jumped with both feet into a Valentine’s Day themed fundraiser for our upcoming summer volunteering trip to Calais. More recently, the warmer weather brought with it a chance to organise a riverside litter pick. Finally, as exam season draws to a close, we look forward to rounding off the year by putting on a 24 Hour Musical, as well as organising a summer Sports Day fundraiser, all in aid of local charity NEPACS. My time as Outreach Chair is coming to an end, I am very grateful to have worked with such a dedicated group of people, who have all used their unique talents to make the most of our available resources in giving back to the local community.

Communities Committee Sending an email entitled, ‘What does the working-class students rep do?’ changed my first year! From running in two elections, then going on to be the chair of the Communities Committee, a lot happened in a short period of time. I learnt how to manage a committee meeting, write an agenda and sit on committees. And thus, I answered my question of ‘how am I going to get involved?’ very quickly.

My first year at Cuth’s has been an absolute whirlwind.

Dan Mercer

Communities Committee this year has been an absolute blast, doing some outstanding work when it comes to reaching our respective minority groups and making life here at Cuth’s more accessible. From the formation of the EDI committee, headed by our Trans and Non-binary (and future LGBTQ+) Rep Lukie, which integrates college and the JCR, to holding talks about bettering our accessibility across the board. The Students with Disabilities community is doing fantastic work. Ditė and Moony have been putting together a study buddy program, baking sessions, coffee mornings and challenging University policy on missed academic content notifications.The LGBTQ+ Reps - Cat, Lukie and MK put on an absolute show this year, from a fantastic Pride formal to hosting drop-in sessions and integrating LGBTQ+ accessibility into most events and actions the JCR does. The POC (People of Colour) part of the committee, Nadia and Poppy, hosted Iftar collections for Muslim student during Ramadan and Nadia will be the POC rep for next year. As Working Class Rep. I worked with the amazing Welfare Team to run the ‘Classless Christmas’ and ‘Carers in Cuth’s over Christmas’ campaign, then went on to restart the Working-Class Students Society. We had talks with the social committee about making big events more accessible and I sat in on a trustee meeting to talk about Cuth’s inclusivity and how their trustee roles could be more accessible.

Knowing Cuth’s and the community we have here, I am confident for the future.

Cuthbert’s Chronicle

Tigers’ Lair

Cuth’s Roar – From Pitch to Positive Change The Tigers’ Lair is St Cuthbert’s Society fund to encourage improvement in the wider student experience and to support the delivery of these priorities. Thank you to Cuth’s Tigers: Jeremy Cook (PVC Colleges), Professor Tammi Walker (Principal), Charlotte Imlach (Assistant Principal) and Alfie Whillis (JCR President). The Tigers were impressed with the high standard of the pitches to the Tigers’ Lair and with the courage, confidence and initiative of Cuth’s students. Successful applicants - Jack Reeves, Emily Welstead, Luca Zimmerman, Seb Thompson and Jade Gavigan have been working with Cuth’s Principal, Tammi Walker, and Vice-Principal, Jon Warren, on their projects since then.

Jade Gavigan.

Good Night Out (GNO) Campaign.

I am currently in the process of setting up Good Night Out Campaign training for our bar staff, which is very exciting and places Cuth’s as leading the way when it comes to working to make our spaces more inclusive.

This training is due to take place at the end of May/ beginning of June and it means that our staff will be expertly trained in how to deal with sexual assault and harassment. This accreditation lasts for one year, and I am setting up ‘train the trainer’ style training alongside with it so new staff can be easily trained.

We are hoping to be able to roll this out across more colleges. It will also provide the bars with posters from the GNO campaign to help create a safe environment for everyone. If you want to find out more about the campaign and accreditation we’ll be getting, check out their website : https://www.goodnightoutcampaign.org/ or their Instagram: @goodnightoutcampaign

Jack Reeves. Professional Coaching - the local and collegiate rowing community.

Over the Easter holidays I’ve been talking to coaches at Durham Amateur Rowing Club (DARC) about the selection process for one of their members to receive funding with one of our rowers for the level 2 coaching qualification. We’re aiming to send select both a Cuth’s and DARC rower by the second week of June, and then have both begin coaching at Cuth’s and DARC over the summer and throughout the first term. We’re aiming to have both complete their qualification at the course run by British Rowing at DARC in January 2023.

Emily Welstead and Luca Zimmerman - ‘Cuth’s Bar Through Our Lens’ Over the last few weeks, we have been researching and budgeting for our project, ‘Cuth’s bar through our lens’, and will soon be able to put it in to motion. We have met with Jon Warren a couple of times to get further advice on ethics, equipment and how we can approach hosting an exhibition. We will start taking photos in the weeks following the end of exams and our exhibition is on track to take place around graduation.

Seb Thompson - Tennis Court Refurbishment I am working with college to get the Bailey tennis court cleaned and repainted as soon as possible.

The refurbishment will include the addition of two new football goals, netball hoops and hopefully a basketball hoop. I am planning to purchase these new items this weekend. We have also now changed the lock to a combination lock meaning that the court’s opening hours can be extended to allow for later use on summer evenings. In order to make the best use of this newly refurbished facility I will be hosting a 3-a-side mixed gender charity football tournament at the court the date for this event will be chosen soon. Keep your eyes peeled for updates!

51

52

July 2022

Cuthbert’s Chronicle

We all love and appreciate Durham City, home to our university, but there is so much more to County Durham.

Durham, the river, the castle, the Cathedral, the Bailey, the Hill, the Viaduct. These make up a familiar geography for most of Durham’s students and staff. In recent years the need to find more ever more housing for evermore students has expanded this familiar area to Neville’s Cross and up to Gilesgate and beyond. However, many are more likely to board a train to London or Edinburgh than to venture out beyond the city into County Durham itself. This is a shame as the wider county, or Durham beyond Durham if you will has so much to offer.

July 2019

Discovering Durham Dr Jon Warren, Vice-Principal

County Durham was at the centre of the industrial revolution producing huge amounts of the coal which powered it. Today little is left of the industrial landscape which has become green and rural in the thirty years since coal production ceased. Nowhere is this more evident than the Durham coast, where beaches once black from colliery spoil have been transformed into some of the north’s finest.

The story of Country Durham throughout the 19th and 20th centuries is told at the award-winning Beamish Museum near Chester -le street.

The living museum of the north has recreated streets and towns from 1825, 1913 and 1955. For a great day out Beamish has it all, even its own coal mine.

The River Wear which flows through the city of Durham rises in Weardale, this beautiful valley and its neighbour Teesdale rival the Yorkshire dales in terms of their rural beauty, but they are much less crowded. Teesdale boast one of England’s most spectacular water falls at High Force.

The County contains many historic sites there are plenty of Castles some are picturesque ruins such as Barnard Castle, while others like Raby and Auckland Castles are much more intact.

You can even stay at Walworth castle which is now a popular hotel.

Cuthbert’s Chronicle Cuthbert’s Chronicle

The region’s railway heritage is on display at the Tanfield Railway and the Weardale railway both of which run steam and heritage services. The County was also the birthplace of the world’s first railways. These were built to move coal but soon the first passengers followed when the Stockton to Darlington railway opened in 1825.

The region’s coal mining heritage is never far away, and its worth looking at the city outside of term time. The Durham Miners’ Gala, sometimes just known the “Big Meeting” takes place every second Saturday in July and attracts over 100,00 people to a celebration which draws together the County’s mining communities. This is a unique event mixing mining heritage, socialist politics, trade unionism and working-class culture, and of course brass bands. It’s something that everyone should experience at least once. So get out of the city and discover Durham.

Staff changes

Thank You!

Sandra Bartle, Housekeeping Assistant This year we said goodbye to one of our longest serving members of staff, after 25 years working as a Housekeeping Assistant, Sandra Bartle left Cuth’s in 2022, partly to look after her first grandchild. Sandra was a legend in her time at Cuth’s and a well known member of staff to many students through the years. She is much missed by all her colleagues and the students.

Charlotte Imlach, Assistant Principal Charlotte left Cuth’s at the end of March to return to Suffolk where she continues to work in Education at the University of Suffolk working within the access team to encourage and aspire young people, especially from under-represented groups, to consider studying at university or within higher education.

In her own words: I’ve had such an incredible time in Durham and can’t believe it’s been almost 14 years since I arrived as a first year to bright yellow pom poms on the hill at Mildert! Working at Cuth’s has been a wonderful experience, being part of such a vibrant and empowering community and having the opportunity to support and work with such bright, forthright and altruistic young people has been so incredibly special. I will miss Cuth’s and the wonderful people that make it so special!

Dr Jon Warren May 2022

53

All at Cuth’s will miss Charlotte and we’re sad to see her leave but wish her a great future. A new assistant principal will be announced once confirmed. In the meantime Tanju Sen from the Wellbeing and Student Experience Office is working with Cuth’s to help provide student support.

53

54 54

Cuthbert’s Chronicle

Careers and Opportunity Advisors

July 2022 July 2019

Changing times for Cuth’s Careers Angels The Cuth’s Careers Angels scheme is being reviewed and revamped. From September 2022 Careers Angels will be rebranded Careers and Opportunities Advisors or COA’s.

The new scheme’s aim will be to provide personal development opportunities through mentoring, careers advice and volunteering.

This will extend the scheme to incorporate opportunities for self-development whilst students are still at university for example through volunteering opportunities.

If you think that you would be able to offer personal development help and advice to our current students regarding careers, volunteering opportunities or other specific skills please contact Vice-Principal Jon Warren: cuthberts.vp@durham.ac.uk or Communication Support Officer Kath Dodd: cuthberts.alumnirelations@durham.ac.uk

Keep in Touch

cc

We hope that all recent graduates and older alumni will want to stay in touch with us.The first step to do this is to make sure we have your most up to date contact details (through the Durham University Alumni Community: www.dunelm.org.uk).

Merchandise

Also keep in touch through our social media and website: Instagram: @stcuthbertssociety Facebook: @st.cuthberts.society or @CuthbertsAlumni Twitter: @CuthsSociety or @CuthsAlumni

Shop online at https://shop.dur.ac.uk

SCARF BEAR NEW SILK TIE PIN BADGE CUFFLINKS HISTORY BOOK PENS LANYARD POSTCARDS TOTE BAG THERMAL CUP WATER BOTTLE

£24 £18 £20/£15 £3 £16 £10 £1 £2 £1 £5 £6 £7

REDUCED ITEMS OLD STYLE TIE CHARM BOAT CLUB BOOK BOAT CLUB 125 PINS

£10 £6 £5 £3

A selection of Cuth’s merchandise can also be found at Bailey Reception for purchase.

Our Alumni webpage is here: www.durham.ac.uk/colleges-andstudent-experience/colleges/st-cuthberts-society/alumni-andfriends/

Do you live locally and are you interested in becoming a College Mentor?

Email cuthberts.alumnirelations@durham.ac.uk for more details.

Cuthbert’s Chronicle

We believe that the best and brightest should be able to study here, regardless of financial capacity

Supporting the next generation of Cuth’s students

55

You can help to ensure that students from all backgrounds can enjoy the same opportunities as past generations of Cuth’s students

Support the St Cuthbert’s Society Bursaries Fund today Visit https://www.durham.ac.uk/collegesand-student-experience/colleges/stcuthberts-society/alumni-and-friends/

Keep in touch with Cuth’s

@st.cuthberts.society @CuthbertsAlumni

cuthberts.alumnirelations @durham.ac.uk

@CuthsSociety

durham.ac.uk/st-cuthberts.

@CuthsAlumni

society/

Congratulations to all those who have graduated this year: Class of 2022, Class of 2021 and Class of 2020.

We would like to encourage all recent graduates to keep in touch.

Once Cuth’s, forever Cuth’s.

Follow us on social media and come to visit.

St Cuthbert’s Society Instagram Page: @stcuthbertssociety

Photographs by @ xlouiephotography