Awards and Grants

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.

We’ve recently turned our focus to homebrewing! 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

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/

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.

Frisbee

Jess Taylor

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.

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!

Hockey

Ned Gordon

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.

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

Rugby

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

Men’s Rugby

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.

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.

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.

47Cuthbert’s Chronicle Cuthbert’s Chronicle 47

Netball 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

Daniel Ainscough Squash Lucas Rehman

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.

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.

Both teams are seeking to end the season strongly, with the Hild-Bede varsity and Festival of Sport to look forward to later in Easter term. 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.

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 court. In his hands the club should continue to grow healthily.

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.

Photograph @rhall_photography

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.

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.