JCR Societies

JCR Societies Officer - Lydia Leach

This Term has been difficult for our societies to get up and running due to social distancing regs, but taking on the challenge, most have managed to carry on regardless, turning to virtual sessions and lots of social media engagement!

Art Soc focussed on their online presence. They ran a successful Halloween Event and plan to follow up with a Lockdown Art Week; featuring art inspiration that is accessible to everyone. Baking Soc have been busy with Bake Offs, running one in Freshers Week with an amazing turnout followed by the annual College Halloween Bake Off. They've kept their Instagram active with plenty of themed recipes and they're excited to venture into the festive period because it's the "most wonderful time of the year" for baking! As always, they've loved seeing everyone’s bakes and sharing photos to help inspire. John Snow’s BAME Soc have been very busy. They’ve taken an active part in DPOCS’s ‘4 words – a racism free Durham’ and launched this year’s campaign called ‘Culture Shock’. They’ve posted about BAME culture and history on topics ranging from Black Music and its appropriation to opening the conversation about racism. It has proven to be a popular and informative project. They’re always looking for more John Snow students to contribute or follow them! To learn more and check out what they’ve done so far, follow them on Instagram @jsbamesoc or Facebook @jscultureshock! It’s been a difficult term for the Arts in general in Durham. Blizzard’s first Term production of ‘Contractions’ by Mike Bartlett has been postponed to the start of next Term, along with other amazing productions. Stay tuned and follow them on Facebook and Instagram @BlizzardTheatreCompany for more theatre in the new year! Book Club welcomed new members in a session all about book introductions, beginnings and first impressions. After a discussionbased first session, they got active in writing their very own fanfics, thinking about informal vs. formal writing culture. In their most recent session, they turned to the subject of women and literature, considering both writers and characters. More exciting topics are planned! British Sign Language Soc sessions have taken place on Zoom and have been warmly received by larger audiences. Topics covered so far include the alphabet and hobbies. Cooking Soc have spent this Term using their Instagram to showcase recipes. Lots of Freshers have been eager to send in their recipes! The Soc has collaborated with Snowvember using their pizza recipe for a very successful Zoom event. One of the newest societies, Fitness and Wellness, have, until recently, been able to start up in-person sessions using the excellent new facilities in the Hub. They’ve been running two sessions a week doing a combination of yoga, circuits and HIIT workouts to get their members moving during study breaks. The JSC Fashion Show Exec Team have been occupied getting their theme and chosen charity ready for this year's show. They launched their new logo on 19 November and will be launching their chosen charity very soon. Stay tuned to their social media pages for more exciting content and ways to get involved in fundraising. John Snow LGBTQ+ Soc have connected with the University-wide LGBTQ+ community and Association via events and communications. They’re anticipating more intercollegiate events soon. Music Society has been able to carry on with in-person weekly rehearsals. They’ve added two additional groups: a Flute Choir and Acapella group, to their existing five groups, and the Violin Ensemble has expanded into a String Ensemble. To end the Term, they’ve produced a ‘Christmas Classics’ virtual Winter Concert as part of Snowvember, showcasing a selection of the groups and members that make up the society. Details will be circulated via the JCR.

To end the Term on a high, after being newly ratified just before lockdown, Paw Prints Dance has been taken over by first year student Charlotte McCann. She’s currently building an Exec Team to help her run the Soc.

Even with the difficult circumstances we’ve been facing this Term, John Snow societies have worked hard to engage many members of the College and to keep up morale. Hopefully, next Term will bring easier circumstances to function under!

The JCR offers the following societies:

Art Society Baking Society BAME Society Blizzard Theatre Company Book Club BSL Society Cooking Society Debate Society FemSoc Fitness and Wellness Society Hiking Society

John Snow and South College Christian Union JS Charity Fashion Show LGBTQ+ Society Music Society Paw Prints Dance Plant Society Running Club Vegan and Vegetarian Society