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Trinity Hall

Highlights: Trinity Hall and Dickens Olympic Connections Round the World Yacht Race Report

Issue 18 | Summer 2012 Trinity Hall Front Court

Art Exhibitions at Trinity Hall

About Front Court Front Court is an informal publication produced once a year to keep members up to date with College and alumni news.

Our next edition of Front Court (summer 2013) will focus on the diaspora of Trinity Hall. Please contact the Alumni and Development Office at Trinity Hall (email: [email protected]) with news and events from your part of the world.

All our publications are available as pdf files from our website: www.trinhall.cam.ac.uk/alumni/ publications.asp

Editors Ginny Swepson and Jocelyn Poulton Trinity Hall has become well known over the last few years The Development and Alumni Office for art exhibitions, whether sculptures in the gardens or Trinity Hall, Cambridge CB2 1TJ paintings in the Graham Storey Room. Tel: +44 (0)1223 332562 Fax: +44 (0)1223 765157 It started with two exhibitions by Jonathan talks, and the artists enjoyed meeting Email: [email protected] Clark, which led to the acquisition of members of the College. Both Hughie www.trinhall.cam.ac.uk one of his pieces, ‘Twelve’, that is now and Barbara donated works which will such a central feature of the grounds remind us of their involvement in the You can catch up with us on Twitter or at Wychfield. A new tradition was life of the College. Another leading Facebook at ‘TrinityHallCamb’. established: the artist donated a piece to artist, Helene Fesenmaier, will be College or paid a commission on any sales exhibiting in the autumn, and we look Design and print management: that could be put towards a purchase. In forward to welcoming alumni to meet H2 Associates, Cambridge 2011, College hosted two exhibitions by her, to see her work and learn about Thank you to all our contributors and Fellows of the Royal Academy, Hughie her involvement with the New York art photographers. O’Donoghue and Barbara Rae. Both scene of the 1960s. attracted large and highly appreciative Front Cover: Zafar Ansari (TH 2010) audiences from local schools, students, dominating the Oxford bowling attack alumni and members of the public to their Master at Lords

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Contents Welcome from the Master 05 I am writing this message in the Cliff Pratten lull between conferment of the degree of Master of Arts on the 06–07 2005 matriculation year in Senate Trinity Hall and ‘Dickens 2012’ House and their dinner in Hall. 08 Around 80% of the year group have Window on the Past returned to Trinity Hall on a perfect spring day, with the gardens and buildings looking at their best, and we have just 09–11 had tea in the Fellows’ Garden, in brilliant Olympic Connections sunshine. Meeting so many alumni is the College, whether in the gardens or always a great pleasure. It reminds us of catering or Porters’ Lodge, and we pay 12–13 the main purpose of the College and why tribute to Joseph’s dedication. We also The Visitation – we are so privileged to be teaching such marvel at his astonishing memory, years by Duncan Robinson outstanding young people. later, for dietary needs and the personal interests of so many students. 14 The nervous Freshers who sat in Hall for their matriculation dinner in October Later in the Easter vacation, we marked TH Sport 2005 are now succeeding in their chosen the 40 years’ service of another member careers. One civil engineer told me with of staff, Martin Fordham, our Boatman. 15 great excitement that she had helped This is a year to celebrate sport at the Hall. Jailbreak build an airport in St Petersburg; a linguist The past cricketing achievements of David informed me that he had been appointed Sheppard (TH 1949) and Raman Subba 16 Head of German at a very good school, Row (TH 1950) are now being emulated Round the World Yacht Race and a historian that he was now a solicitor by four Trinity Hall students who are at Linklaters; two others are at the playing in ; and we look Treasury and one at the Department for forward to winning more Olympic medals 17 Business and Skills; yet another is making later in the summer. But let us not be McMenemy Seminars and documentary films. These are just some triumphalist ahead of the games: we wish

Marshall McLuhan Symposium examples of the varied careers enjoyed by © R oy C

the 2005 year. They are enjoying their new alne 18–19 lives beyond Trinity Hall, but retaining the Fellows Announcements and many friendships made whilst in College. News in Brief I know that they will all miss one person tonight in Hall – someone who has made 20 so many dinners memorable occasions. THA Report Joseph Risino has retired as Manciple after 19 years of service. His retirement 21 follows closely after the retirement of THA Awards Nigel Fletcher who joined the kitchens at Trinity Hall in 1974 and rose to be 22 Catering Manager. Nigel raised the TH Forum 2012 standard of cooking at Trinity Hall to rival any college in Cambridge, and indeed to exceed most of the restaurants in town. At 23 his retirement party he said that he had Spinach Health enjoyed 99.9% of his time at Trinity Hall, and we wish him and his wife, Jayne, well 24 in retirement in the North East. We have News & Events been fortunate in the dedicated staff of Portrait of Nigel Fletcher

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Tom James (TH 2002), Emma Pooley (TH 2001), and Adam Brown (the son of one of our Porters, Kim Brown), every success in rowing, cycling and swimming. The College will also be taking part in other ways: one of our students, Andy McGowan (TH 2007), will carry the torch and one of our History Fellows, William O’Reilly, will be in charge of one of the events. The Milestones Lecture last year, given by David Runciman, Fellow in Politics, on the politics of the London Olympic Games of 1908, 1948 and 2012 offered a brilliant and witty analysis of three very different events. (L-R) The Master, Jeanette Taylor, Joel Junker (TH 1977) and Dr Claire Daunton at the THBC Regatta

The article on Charles Dickens and his Professor of Computing, who has been During this academic year, the THA has son Henry (page 6) reminds us that responsible for several successful spin held reunions in Edinburgh and Cardiff; Trinity Hall has been visited by leading offs that are part of the phenomenon of and we have been strengthening our novelists of our own generation. The ‘silicon fen’. I am delighted that many of overseas links with visits to Hong Kong. Graham Storey Lecture has become our Honorary Fellows engage with the one of the most popular events of the College, whether in giving talks or, as Of course, the focus of activity in College academic year. This year Alan Hollinghurst in the case of our Appeal Court Judges, remains teaching and research. Our delivered an outstanding lecture on one coming back to judge moots. As I was undergraduates have been performing of our own former undergraduates, finishing this message, I received an remarkably well. Results from the the novelist Ronald Firbank (TH 1906), email from one of our former Junior summer of 2011 put us third [out of all the conjuring up an Edwardian world of Research Fellows, Montserrat Gomendio colleges] in the Baxter table of results, aesthetes. The popularity of these Kindelan (1988–1991), to say that she retaining our position gained in 2010; lectures is rivalled by that of our series has been appointed Secretary of State and our graduates have been winning of art exhibitions. This year we hosted an for Education, Vocational Training and prizes and prestigious appointments exhibition by Barbara Rae RA, whose work Universities in the Spanish government around the world. These excellent filled the Graham Storey Room with colour with responsibility for higher education. performances are the outcome of hard and drama. She gave lectures and talks She joins other members of the Hall work on the part of students and the to capacity audiences of alumni, students who have held posts in the governments support of a Fellowship that is committed and members of the wider public, and was of Canada, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, to providing both academic and pastoral a welcome presence in the College. Australia and New Zealand. support at the highest level. Our Fellows have themselves achieved much over In January, one of our Honorary Fellows Their involvement is but one example the past year. It is perhaps invidious to and former graduate students, Professor of the intergenerational links that single out individuals, but I do wish to Stephen Hawking (TH 1962) celebrated create a real sense of community. At the record the election of James Montgomery his 70th birthday, an event that attracted THA London event at the Mansion House, as Sir Thomas Adams’s Professor of huge media attention around the world. Bob Ely (TH 1950) met some current Arabic – one of the longest established Unfortunately, he was not well enough to students and invited them to his annual chairs in the University – and the award attend the symposium in his honour but 1950 lunch at the RAF Club where Hannah of an honorary degree of the University he has made a remarkable recovery, and Capek (TH 2009) and Jimmy Murray (TH of Leuven to the current Vice-Master, as I write he is in Texas and California 2009) spoke about their experiences. The Professor John Clarkson. where he is meeting another Honorary tradition of year groups marking their Fellow, Dennis Avery (TH 1980). Yet another 50th anniversary by supporting the life It has been a difficult time as we Honorary Fellow, Sir David Bell (TH 1965), of the College is now well-established. have negotiated our way through the continues to serve on the Leveson enquiry In February so many lawyers came back new funding regime and economic – and in May, Chris Blackhurst (TH 1979), to the Law Society dinner that we moved uncertainties. But the engagement and the editor of The Independent, spoke at from the usual venue of the Graham commitment of all members of the the Trinity Hall Forum on his views about Storey Room into the Hall. In March we College community – alumni, Fellows, press regulation. held a well-attended ‘Trinity Hall in the staff and students – in our mission of City’ event at Linklaters’ offices in London education, research and learning provide At the start of the academic year, we – a firm with a remarkably high proportion a real investment in future success and installed two distinguished Honorary of Hall members. achievements. Fellows, both students at the College: Professor Martin Daunton Peter Sever (TH 1962) who is a leading Not all events take place in Cambridge or medical scientist at Imperial College, London! Over the past few years Trinity The Master, Trinity Hall London, and Andy Hopper (TH 1974), Hall has travelled, with great success.

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CLIFF PRATTEN A tribute by Graham Howes

Cliff Pratten, who died on 12 December 2011 after a short illness, was a Fellow and Director of Studies in Economics from 1969 until 2002 and subsequently an Emeritus Fellow.

Born in Bristol in 1934, he left Colston’s text’ is essentially a very sophisticated, School at 16 to train as an accountant, and statistically-grounded attempt to relate on qualifying in 1955 was, at 21, reputedly conflicting monetarist and Keynesian the youngest Chartered Accountant in the theory to the actual operation of the United Kingdom. It was only then – with British economy. Here, as elsewhere in his Cliff Pratten the robust independence of mind that work, Cliff deploys rigorous quantitative never deserted him – that he decided techniques to arrive at significant well. More memorable still was the regular he would like to study Economics as the qualitative conclusions. Small wonder then trench warfare waged between Cliff and academic discipline most likely to provide that Samuel Brittan, the famous Editor of a succession of Bursars and their City a broader context to his professional skills. the Financial Times, once described Cliff to advisers over College investment policy. Bristol University had the good sense to our mutual Trinity Hall colleague Jonathan admit him without the customary A-Level Steinberg as “the best applied economist Paradoxically, for someone who was not requirements, and he emerged with a good in England”. Indeed, in today’s fraught visibly ‘collegial’ Cliff was very proud to be upper second in 1958. In that year he was, economic climate, his work remains a Fellow of Trinity Hall. He especially loved however, still eligible for National Service relevant, and perhaps even required its physical setting, its formal gardens, and and he obtained a Commission in the RAF. reading for economists, policy advisors its informal familial ethos. He was always There, as he recalled, “although officially and politicians alike. Noteworthy too is wholly committed to his own Economics ‘Flight’ Lieutenant Pratten, I was more the fact that the genesis of such seminal students, past and present. Many of chair-borne than airborne – although Libya work sprang not from the relative security these now occupy very senior positions in was not at all a bad place to play rugby, of a tenured University Lectureship, but industry, business and the public sector, and push paper around.” from a succession of short-term research and they often recall both the clarity contracts whose funding was individually and rigour of his teaching and immense Soon after his arrival in Cambridge in 1960 sustained rather than Faculty-generated. personal and intellectual integrity. he obtained a Research Assistantship in Cliff, ever his own man, liked both the Elected a Tutor in 1970, Cliff was a quietly the Economics Faculty where he was to precariousness and academic autonomy effective and invariably unflappable Tutor, remain a member for over 40 years. Cliff that this entailed. whose fellow-Tutors and tutees quickly produced a steady stream of research realised that beneath the few words and monographs, which charted many aspects Essentially a private person, Cliff kept his occasionally abrupt manner there was of the relationship between macro- life clearly compartmentalized. Primus invariably real personal warmth, pastoral economic theory and everyday economic inter pares was Jenny and his three beloved concern, and shrewd supportive advice. activity, with technical precision, originality sons; one of whom is now a promising and in clear lapidary prose. For example, academic economist in his own right, whilst At the same time Cliff remained, even The Competitiveness of Small Firms (1991) the other two are currently involved in in retirement, what the French call ‘un looked at more than a hundred such firms, the family’s business activities. The latter original’ – a one-off. He always possessed the sources of the competition they face, originated as Cliff’s personal ventures into strong convictions, but was never, and the handicaps they encounter when private enterprise, and range from property mercifully, as ideologically-driven or as competing with larger firms, whileThe ownership, where he was reputedly a attention-seeking as some of his fellow Stock Market (1993) explained not only the benign and ‘hands-on’ local landlord, to a Cambridge economists. In his own College, instability and erratic movement of stock not insubstantial commercial orchard in the he was simply what the Victorians would market prices, but also critically scrutinized Fens. Such financial acumen also became have called an ‘independent radical ‘. the practices of fund managers and others part of his College persona. Indeed, it It was one of these, William Cobbett, who dominate such activity. There was became a running joke among the more who when visiting Cliff’s native Bristol in even a critique, co-authored with Stephen observant Fellows that the daily state of 1830, described its citizens as ‘a people Satchell, on Pension Scheme Investment the markets could invariably be gauged of …. private virtue … no empty noise, no Policies (1998). But perhaps Cliff’s most by the physical state of the SCR’s copy insolence, no flattery’. That was Cliff exactly. substantial and widely-read publication (never Cliff’s own!) of the Financial Times. remains his Applied Macro-Economics If dishevelled and torn, then things were Graham Howes, Emeritus Fellow (2nd Edition, 1990). This, although bad; if neatly folded and annotated in Cliff’s 16 January 2012 modestly described as ‘an introductory inimitable hand, then all was relatively

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Trinity Hall and ‘Dickens 2012’

Historians, literary critics and enthusiasts up and down the country are this year celebrating the Charles Dickens bicentenary – the prolific Victorian novelist was born in Portsmouth on the 7 February 1812.

Trinity Hall enjoys a number of writers whom Charles most admired – In the early 19th century, debtors were associations with the writer and his Henry Fielding, a humane and perceptive imprisoned until they could pay off their family: most notably, the Old Library magistrate as well as the author of debts, and when in 1824 Charles’s father holds a letter written by Charles to his Joseph Andrews (1742) and Tom Jones John found himself unable to pay a bill of son Henry, who arrived here in October (1749). Initially destined for the Indian civil some £40, he was taken to the Marshalsea 1868 to read Mathematics. At the time service, Henry resisted and he continued Debtors’ Prison in Southwark. Charles, a of the letter’s composition, Charles to dream of studying in Cambridge. sensitive and ambitious child, was sent was arguably the nation’s most popular Henry’s hard work subsequently paid off to work at Warren’s Blacking Factory at living author, enjoying unprecedented and he became the first member of his around the age of 12, and for the rest of commercial and literary success, but family to enjoy a university education. his adult life he regretted that his family this private communication reveals a had apparently been prepared to sacrifice man simultaneously concerned for Charles’s letter to the newly arrived his education – and indeed the happiness the moral and social well-being of his undergraduate outlines generous provision of his childhood – for their temporary children. ‘If you ever find yourself on the for hospitality and entertainment: he economic survival. In an autobiographical verge of perplexity or difficulty, come to reassures Henry that copious bottles of fragment published in his friend John me’, he writes: ‘You will never find me wine will be sent to him from London in the Forster’s Life of Charles Dickens (1872–4), hard with you while you are manly course of his time at Trinity Hall. But the Charles sighed ‘I might easily have been, and truthful.’ letter is primarily concerned with moral for any care that was taken of me, a rectitude and with exhortations to financial little robber, or a little vagabond’. More Henry Fielding Dickens (born January prudence: ‘Now observe attentively, …[w]e poignantly, Charles recalled that his 1849) was the eighth of Charles’s ten must have no shadow of debt.’ parents did not feel for his disappointment: children with his wife, Catherine. He was ‘My father and mother were quite satisfied named after one of the great 18th century Indebtedness and the need for good … They could hardly have been more moral and financial accounting are so, if I had been twenty years of age, important themes of Charles’s fictional distinguished at a grammar-school, and writing: on the one hand, the metaphor going to Cambridge’. Charles’s letter to of ‘credit’ serves to illustrate important Henry, then, serves as a poignant reminder ways in which human lives are inextricably of the hardship of his own childhood: ‘You interrelated, and all of Charles’s novels know how hard I work for what I get, and advocate the development of an ethics of I think you know that I never had money interdependence in which we willingly help from any human creature after I was act as Good Samaritans for our a child.’ neighbours. On the other hand, Charles is always quick to suggest that whilst Charles was arguably we should feel gratitude for what we the nation’s most ‘owe’ to others, we must remain fiscally independent and responsible at all times. popular living author, Charles Dickens’s fiction is characterised enjoying unprecedented by many such rich and intriguing commercial and literary inconsistencies – he encourages self- sacrificial submission without being success, but this private capable of it himself, for example – and communication reveals the source of many of these contradictions a man simultaneously seems to lie in his own troubled childhood which was deeply impressed with the concerned for the moral suffering caused by his own father’s and social well-being of financial irresponsibility. Dickens by ‘Spy’ in Vanity Fair in 1897 his children.

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But Charles rescued himself from a the Common Law Courts, Henry was possible life of penury and crime by the appointed Common Serjeant of London (a Jan-Melissa tireless efforts of his own labour. His senior judicial position at the Old Bailey Schramm is Christian faith survived, too, and the letter that he held until 1932). Whilst his father’s Fellow in English to Henry speaks of the ‘priceless value of fiction had engaged rather combatively at Trinity Hall, the New Testament’ as ‘the one unfailing with the work of the legal profession, and the author guide in Life’. Thanks to the brilliant regularly criticising the etiquette and of two books productions of Charles’s prodigious ethics of the then newly professionalized primarily on genius, his own children were to enjoy a criminal Bar, Henry by all accounts Dickens, both very different – and much more stable – excelled in his chosen vocation. with Cambridge University Press: childhood. As if fulfilling the alternative Testimony and Advocacy in Victorian career that his father had imagined for The time that Henry spent at Trinity Law, Literature, and Theology (2000) himself, Henry excelled at Cambridge. Hall is just one of several strong and Atonement and Self-Sacrifice in After a year, he was awarded one of the connections between Charles Dickens Nineteenth-Century Narrative (2012). principal scholarships at Trinity Hall, and the College. Graham Storey (TH 1939) worth £50 a year, and Charles’s delighted (1921–2005), the editor of the ten volumes Dr Schramm will be giving the 2012 response is recorded in Henry’s Memories of the Pilgrim Edition of The Letters of Milestone Lecture on Saturday 17 of my Father (1928). Charles Dickens (1965–98), read law at November, taking “a celebration of Trinity Hall before becoming a Fellow Dickens” as her theme. Joining her Sadly, Charles died in 1870 (aged only in English here in 1949. Generations on the panel is Alison Hennegan 58) and he did not live to see his son’s of Dickens scholars have subsequently (TH Fellow in English) and Professor subsequent success – but he would have been indebted to his scholarship. Both John Bowen (TH 1977), Professor been proud. After graduating with a good the College’s current Fellows in English, of 19th Century Literature at the degree in Mathematics in 1872, Henry Miss Alison Hennegan and Dr Jan-Melissa University of York was called to the Bar: after a further Schramm, teach and publish on twenty years of successful advocacy in Dickens’s work.

The letter from Charles to Henry is dated 15 October 1868, and the address at the top is the Adelphi Hotel in Liverpool. It was given to Trinity Hall by Christopher Dickens, one of Henry’s grandchildren, who was a student at Trinity Hall, matriculating in 1957. D omini q ue R uhlmann

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Window on the Past

The Old Library’s blog provides a Many volumes have been given by former fascinating glimpse of the College Masters, for example Sir William Wynne (1803–1815) and (1888– in years gone by. As well as 1902), to name just two. Wynne, although looking at the books themselves, a lawyer, gave the library a wide range the blog also tells some of the of books including Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales (London, 1798), Boccaccio’s stories behind them. Decamerone in Italian (London, 1762) and Specimens of Arabian poetry (London, The books are a wonderful resource were 29 Trinity Hall men in the list of 1796). Latham’s gift of numerous serious for the history of Trinity Hall: from subscribers to the Cambridge edition volumes is enlivened by his collection of inscriptions and annotations to of Butler’s Hudibras, including Dr Edward fascicules of Ruskin’s St Mark’s Rest (1877) bookplates and printed lists of Sympson, the Master, Dr William Warren, one of which bears Latham’s inscription: subscribers, it is amazing how much can the President, and Thomas Ansell, “the Grand Hotel, Venice, 1882.” be discovered between the covers. the poet.

The preponderance of armorial bookplates During the coming months the Old gives us an insight into the social makeup Library’s blog will feature posts on of the College during the 18th and 19th a number of Trinity Hall donors in centuries. We have examples of bookplates conjunction with the University Library’s for two members of the same family. current exhibition “Shelf Lives”. Our first Simon Le Blanc matriculated at Trinity Hall post in the “Shelf Lives” strand features in 1766, gained his LLB in 1773 and was a the gift by Christopher Charles Dickens judge and Fellow of Trinity Hall, 1779–1799. of the letter from Charles Dickens to His copy of Francesco Rocco’s De navibus his son Henry Fielding – a fascinating et naulo (Amsterdam, 1708) on marine snapshot of a Fresher’s life at Trinity Hall insurance is in our collection. His nephew, in 1868. Thomas Le Blanc, Master of Trinity Hall (1815–1843), gave us four volumes of the Anyone interested in the history of Trinity works of Tacitus containing his bookplate Hall or in rare books will enjoy our blog and inscription “Ex dono Thomæ Le Blanc, which can be found at: Custodis, A.D. 1840.” www.oldlibrarytrinityhall.wordpress.com/

Printed lists of subscribers are another Dominique Ruhlmann source of information. In 1742 there Director of Library Services

Dominique Ruhlmann

Inscriptions reveal not only who owned the book but also family links, bonds of friendship or a pedigree of scholarship. Some books pass from elder to younger brother, for example a copy of Shaftesbury’s The characteristicks of men (London, 1723) which passed from Edmund Pyle to his younger brother Thomas. Both men were at Corpus Christi and both became clerics so it is not clear how the book came to be at Trinity Hall. Other books pass from one generation of scholars to the next, for example Thomas Wood’s An institute of the laws of England (London, 1724) bears both the inscription of previous owner (Provost of King’s 1756–72) and that of subsequent owner James William Geldart (Vice- Master of Trinity Hall 1809–24). Henry Latham’s copies of Ruskin’s St Mark’s Rest

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Olympic Connections

Supporting Design Priorities for the London 2012 Olympics Diane Haigh, Fellow-Commoner and Director of Studies in Architecture

From the earliest days of the bid to As Director of Design Review for CABE, bring the 2012 Olympics to London, I had the privilege of participating in the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) these review discussions. We saw the has prioritised the creation of well- emerging designs for all the permanent designed sporting facilities in a venues such as the new stadium, aquatics wonderful new park that will leave a centre and velodrome, as well as for the practical legacy to help regenerate temporary buildings which will be moved after the Games, such as the arenas this area of east London. for basketball, water polo and hockey. Some of these short-term buildings Diane Haigh Together with the goals of making the Games truly accessible to all and creating are inserted in sensitive historic the greenest Olympic Games ever, environments, for example, the their high design aspirations have been equestrian arena in Greenwich Park and consistently upheld. the beach volleyball stadium on Horse Guard’s Parade, and their impact had To ensure that these ambitions were to be carefully assessed. The landscape achieved in practice, the ODA asked the plans for the park as well as the Legacy Commission for Architecture and the Built Masterplan were also reviewed. Environment (CABE) to set up a special design review panel for the London 2012 The 2012 Games will showcase British projects. A group of 16 eminent designers architecture. Many of the UK’s most were appointed to the panel. All building talented design teams have participated in projects and landscaping plans were realising the projects. The design review submitted to intense scrutiny. The panel’s process has helped to ensure that the comments helped to strengthen the original aspirations have been fulfilled design development as well as to inform by creating an inspiring setting for the the planning approval process. Games and a lasting legacy for London.

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Name Matric Sport Olympic Year Medal Olympic Hugh Lawrence Doherty 1896 Tennis 1900 (Paris), 1908 (London) Gold and Bronze Reginald Frank Doherty 1894 Tennis 1900 (Paris) Gold Alumni List Gordon Lindsey Thomson 1909 Rowing 1908 (London) Gold and Silver Douglas Cecil Rees Stuart 1902 Rowing 1908 (London) Bronze Richard Frederick Boyle 1906 Rowing 1908 (London) Bronze Harold Edward Kitching 1904 Rowing 1908 (London) Bronze Lord John Wodehouse 1905 Polo 1908 (London), 1920 (Antwerp) Silver and Gold Sidney Ernest Swann 1909 Rowing 1912 (Stockholm), 1920 (Antwerp) Gold and Silver William Faulder Smith 1909 Hockey 1920 (Antwerp) Gold Archibald David 1904 Fencing 1924 (Paris), 1948 (London) – Edmonstone Craig Billy Fiske 1928 Bobsleigh 1928 (St Moritz), Gold 1932 (Lake Placid) Hugh Walter Mason 1933 Rowing 1936 (Berlin) – Sir David Meyrick 1945 Rowing 1948 (London) Silver John Cockett 1948 Hockey 1952 (Helsinki) Bronze John Taylor 1949 Hockey 1952 (Helsinki) Bronze K A (Bill) Masser 1950 Rowing 1956 (Melbourne) – David Wilman 1964 Hockey 1964 (Tokyo), 1968 (Mexico City) – Kate Grose 1977 Rowing 1988 (Seoul), 1992 (Barcelona) – Emma Pooley 2001 Cycling 2008 (Beijing) Silver Tom James 2002 Rowing 2004 (Athens), 2008 (Beijing) Gold (2008)

Tom James (TH 2002)

“I took up rowing at the King’s School, Chester, when I couldn’t run any more. I’d developed a knee condition called Osgood-Schlatter disease, which many boys get when they’re growing up. My mother, a physiotherapist, suggested rowing as a non-impact activity, and that’s how it all began.

A lot of people assume that I must have had Olympic dreams since I was a teenager, but it was only when I was (L-R) Pete Read, Tom James, Steve Williams and Andrew Triggs Hodge win Gold at Beijing trialling for GB and was selected for the senior squad that I realised I could go for it. coaches. And there are only two places in Everyone’s now talking about the It was the year before the Athens Olympics, the world that offer an environment like Olympics. It’s becoming a bit of a so it was obvious that if I made the boat, I’d that to rowers: Oxford and Cambridge. distraction when we’re just trying to be in with a good shot for the Games. focus on what we’re doing. But at the Being a rower and studying at the same end of the day, you just have to see it as That was in my first year at Cambridge, time is one of the most difficult things you another race. For now I’m just keen to get which is an amazing melting pot of talent. could ever do. You’re combining so many selection out of the way, and hopefully I’ll I was rowing with seasoned athletes, different things. Now my life is tailored be able to get focused on the Games and some of whom had been to the Olympics. just to rowing; in terms of volume, there’s aim for a gold medal. That’s what we’re The learning curve was very steep. I think more training, but I have free time in the here to do.” that as a sportsman, the best way to learn afternoon to relax, refuel and recover for is with other athletes rather than just from the next day.

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Emma Pooley (TH 2001)

“Paula Radcliffe has always been my after I graduated. I couldn’t believe how heroine because running was my first hard it was, but I went back to the same serious sport and she always seemed race three years later and won. so friendly and humble. I moved to Switzerland to do a PhD I rode to school like many kids, but didn’t in 2006 and worked full-time in research get a road bike until my second year while trying to race with a Belgian team at Cambridge. I was in loads of sports at weekends. The next year, I spent a few clubs and the Hare & Hounds Cross- months on secondment at the University Andy McGowan Country Running Club was my life. I was of Western Australia, did lots of cycling devastated when I sustained a stress and came back much stronger. I got (TH 2007) fracture and couldn’t run for weeks, so onto a local team in Switzerland and the I got a road bike to cross-train. I didn’t national team picked me up again; we With the whole country talking enjoy it to start with, but it was a way to had a training camp in Italy and they about London 2012, it is set to be a stay fit while I couldn’t run and it got me thought I might be suited to the Olympic particularly memorable summer for into the triathlon. I never thought I’d one time trial. Andy McGowan (TH 2007), who is set day go to the Olympics as a cyclist. not only to carry the Olympic Torch Going to the Beijing Olympics only but also to work in the Olympic Village My coach, Jim Williams, was one of the became a possibility about a year during the Games themselves. founding members of the local triathlon beforehand. It was exciting because I club in Cambridge. When I got my first didn’t even expect to be selected, and Andy was selected from over 28,000 few cycling results, I asked if he could then I won silver in the time trial event. nominations to be one of the 2,012 help me with a training programme. I had There’s more pressure going to your people chosen by LOCOG to carry the been running for years but didn’t know second Olympic Games because you’ve iconic flame when it makes its way what I was doing in cycling. got the experience and you obviously want around the country between May and to perform better than last time. There’s July. He was nominated both for his It didn’t really become my sport until huge excitement from friends and family. personal achievements and for his the fourth year. I entered the National We don’t have any major cycling races work supporting young carers. Andy Road Race Championships and came here, and it would make me really proud was an only child and from the age of fourth, which was unbelievable. I’d never to race for Great Britain on home soil.” six was carer for both of his disabled dreamed of coming fourth in the National parents, which impacted heavily on Cross Country Championships in 10 Emma is a member of the AA Drink his schooling. However, he managed years of running. At that point I thought: team, sponsored by Cervélo, to turn this around to earn a place to “Maybe I’ll give this a go.” My first proper www.leontien.nl/aadrink. Emma also study Law at the Hall. Determined to international race was in Brittany just supports Amnesty International. raise the aspirations of other young people he was elected as Cambridge

© J ered G ruber University Students’ Union’s Access Officer in 2010 and, before he starts a PGCE at Leicester in September, he is helping McDonald’s employees without qualifications obtain Apprenticeships in Hospitality. He has represented young carers on a local, national and international level and has raised over £2,000 for charities supporting young carers and their families (with a 10,000ft skydive in April being his latest project!).

Andy has also been selected as one of the top 1.5% of McDonald’s employees nationally, going to work in one of the four restaurants being built in the Olympic Village.

Andy will be carrying the torch on Saturday 7 July when the torch heads Training in Italy, 2011 to Newmarket.

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The Visitation by Duncan Robinson, Master of Magdalene College, 2002 – 2012 Duncan Robinson

On Sunday 16 October, Duncan Robinson, Master of Magdalene College and a former Director of the , preached at Evensong, taking as his subject matter the painting that hangs in the altar, The Visitation, by Maso da San Friano, which is on permanent loan from the Fitzwilliam Museum. Here is an extract of his address.

‘And it came to pass that, when Elisabeth so with ‘maniera’, that courtly elegance originally painted, in the church of San heard the salutation of Mary, the babe which was identified in Florence with the Pietro Maggiore. The verticality of the leapt in her womb; and Elisabeth was fashionable artists associated with the altarpiece encouraged Maso to elongate filled with the Holy Ghost.’ This is the Medici court. his figures; that of Mary especially, and to precise moment in St Luke’s account a lesser degree Zacharias, a deliberately of the Visitation that we see in this Important changes were afoot in the light-weight counterbalance. On the painting above the altar. What we have decade of the 1560s, following the right, behind the Virgin, three more is a nuanced, visual response to one of conclusion of the Council of Trent and the elegant figures crowd into the scene as the most richly textured passages in publication of the Tridentine decrees. The attendants. The one closest to her holds the Gospels. Counter-Reformation called for sterner an infant in obvious reference to the stuff than the fluttering draperies of the forthcoming nativities; while the foremost In 1568, eight years after Tommaso mannerists; following Michelangelo’s one, more daringly allegorical, bears d’Antonio Manzuoli signed and dated the death in 1564 loincloths were added to the symbolic gifts; a cornucopia in one hand altarpiece, Giorgio Vasari referred to it in nudes in his Last Judgment in the Sistine and, balanced on her head, a bundle his Lives of the Painters, Sculptors and Chapel. In 1560 the young Maso appears to which may refer to the swaddling Architects. There we read that ‘Maso have tuned in to these new wave-lengths clothes and other linens associated Manzuoli, called Maso da San Friano, a of clarity and gravity on the one hand; with birthing rooms. young man of about 30 or 32 years, has propriety and seriousness of purpose demonstrated recently (his talent) in on the other. He anticipated the shift in Thanks to a label on two altar-pictures with much honour to sensibility which accompanied the re- himself and full satisfaction to everyone, affirmation of faith by the church militant. the back of the old frame having displayed in them invention, Maso was also clearly at pains to satisfy we can trace its history design, manner, grace and unity in the the new demand for pictorial clarity; and to in this country from 1829. colouring.’ This is praise indeed; ‘design, do so, it seems that he deliberately looked manner, and unity in the colouring’ are back to the more monumental figure style It appeared at a sale three of the most important critical of the High Renaissance. at Christie’s, London, considerations in the Cinquecento, as on 11 April 1835, and artists aspired to combine ‘disegno’, I have no doubt that the size and shape of associated with Florentine painters, with the altarpiece was dictated by the space was bought by Henry the ‘colore’ of the Venetians, and to do available in the chapel for which it was Thomas Hope.

12 Return to Contents Summer 2012 © T he F itzwilliam M useum , C ambridge

The naked bystander is further evidence of the expectation that works of art should be didactic. His staff and his keg are attributes of pilgrimage, a religious practice condemned by Protestants and all the more vigorously promoted during the Counter-Reformation. He is also the earth-bound antithesis of the cherubs, two of whom display wreaths of roses, while the third, centrally placed, appears to be letting clusters of them fall; one spray lies appropriately close to the feet of the Virgin. Roses are of course traditionally associated with her; but they may have a further significance here, at a time of renewed Mariolatry, when the rosary and its associated prayer, the Hail Mary, were being championed as ‘the ladder to paradise’ for the faithful.

The church of San Pietro Maggiore The Visitation, Maso da San Friano was demolished in 1783, and by 1792 the painting was in the Vatican. What happened next is unclear, but it seems I do not know for sure why Carl Winter, divorced from its original function. It then fair to assume that it was either looted Director of the Fitzwilliam Museum at the belonged to a series of private collectors, or sold during those turbulent years time, decided in 1955 to offer the painting before its purpose was once again around the turn of the century. However, to Trinity Hall as a long-term loan. My redefined as an example of mid 16th thanks to a label on the back of the old suspicion is that the deus ex machina was century Italian painting in a university frame we can trace its history in this his predecessor, Louis Clarke, a Fellow museum. Indeed, it still fulfils that role; country from 1829. It appeared at a sale of this College. Both men were obviously it is thanks to the scholarly attention at Christie’s, London, on 11 April 1835, aware that the museum’s founder was it has attracted since it came to Trinity and was bought by Henry Thomas Hope. a Trinity Hall graduate. Between them Hall that it is now recognised as Maso’s Hope was the person who gave the Winter and Clarke restored to its original undoubted masterpiece. At the same picture to the recently opened Fitzwilliam purpose a painting which was produced time it has been gloriously reinstated as Museum in 1859. It was housed there as a devotional object, but was overtaken a devotional image; a call to worship, in for most of a century, ill-assorted with by fashion and changing attitudes to the words of the Gospel which inspired the Founder’s collection of distinctly worship. Stripped unceremoniously from it: ‘That thou mightest know the certainty secular paintings by the masters of the the altar of a demolished church, it found of those things, wherein thou hast been Venetian Renaissance. its way on to the art market entirely instructed.’ (I.4)

Return to Contents 13 Trinity Hall Front Court TH Sport Our Women Footballers win the Plate

Coach and Trinity Hall Porter,

Malcolm Pearman, writes of Matt Hickey (TH 2010) celebrates the wicket of the Oxford Captain his excitement and pride in the Women’s Football Team winning The progress we made over the course of the final of The Plate with an Cricket the season was dramatic; we went from losing to mediocre club sides to beating emphatic 4-1 win over Newnham Trinity Hall has never been better teams laden with ex-professionals. on Saturday 25 February 2012. represented in terms of cricketers, with six members of the College Thankfully cricket did not interfere The final was played at King’s pitches involved in University squads and four too much with my studies and I was against Newnham, a team a league higher of us being members of the Blues able to walk away with a 2:1 for my and a team we knocked out of Cuppers squad. With such a heavy presence troubles. Being a first-year economist I last year. Now I could write a long-winded had the misfortune to be the last person we can definitely stake a claim at match report, but all I will say is that we to finish exams in the entire University; being the cricketing powerhouse of were much the stronger team throughout in fact on the morning of the T20 match and thoroughly deserved the 4-1 win! the University! I was sitting my Maths and Stats exams. Needless to say, my attention was So, the Plate is coming to Trinity Hall! These This all comes at a time when the Blues elsewhere which might go some way ladies can be so very proud of themselves are seen to be at their strongest for to explaining the resulting marks in and I hope the College is as well; I know 30 years, fresh off the back of historic them… On the whole though, the balance one thing for sure, I am. I would like to victories over Oxford in all three formats between sport and work is one that is say to each and every one of the team, of the game; the first time the treble has highly important to manage correctly, as whether you played in just one game or ever been recorded in Varsity fixtures. there is little point in getting a Blue but all, you all played your part in this triumph! With Cambridge cricket at such a high failing the course. Congratulations! And thank you for giving point it is a fantastic feeling to know me the opportunity to coach you again, it that a quarter of the squad are from our This year we have strengthened the has been an honour and a privilege. College and to know that the College is squad even further and are looking at fully behind us. The help given to us by the continuing our dominance in the Varsity For a full report, please visit Aula Club is invaluable and without it we fixtures. A strong Fresher intake and www.trinhall.cam.ac.uk/news/archive.asp would not be able to make the most of the the return of a couple of old war horses opportunities that cricket at Cambridge is means that Trinity Hall looks as strong able to offer us. as ever. Hopefully we can reflect this over the course of the summer at both College I was fortunate enough to be involved in all and higher levels. We hope to see a few of three games last year, and the feeling of you at Lords in the alumni box, let’s hope being part of such an iconic set of fixtures we can have as strong a performance as is truly magical; walking out at Lords is last year! a memory that will stay with me forever. To finish a season that began in the nets Matt Hickey (TH 2010) in October in such a successful manner is extremely satisfying; it makes all Trinity Hall offers its congratulations to Back row; Naomi Wood, Emily Warham, Malcolm those early morning runs, gym sessions Akbar Ansari (TH 2007), Zafar Ansari (TH Pearman, Crystal Eisinger, Charlotte Hill, Steph between lectures and hours in the sports 2010), Matt Hickey (TH 2010) and Elliott Polderijk. hall worthwhile. From the moment we Bath (TH 2010), and wish the Varsity Front row; Ella Hollowood, Anna Daunt, Anna (Bobby) stepped out at Fenner’s in April to the cricket team success on Saturday 16 June Moore, Kerry Corley, Harry Maxwell, Beth Parker (missing from photo: Mallika Levzinger, Alex Zolyniak, start of the T20 match we had been at Lords. Annie Edwards and Abisola Omotayo) gearing towards one thing: beating Oxford. www.lordsvarsity.varsity2020.com/

14 Return to Contents Summer 2012 Jailbreak

Trinity Hall first-year medic Matthew Walton (TH 2011) and Matilda Carr (St John’s) were the triumphant winners of the RAG Jailbreak 2012. Each team had 36 hours to travel as far as possible from Cambridge, relying only on sponsorship and fundraising to pay for their journey.

A series of remarkable co-incidences and the spur of the moment generosity of a stranger allowed Matthew Walton’s team to win RAG Jailbreak 2012. “After fundraising in colleges and around Cambridge we had enough money to get to London. Once there, on a spur of the moment, we decided to start fundraising Exploring Singapore – the Visitors’ Centre again. We met a friendly American businessman called Ron, who donated £20 to the bucket, for which we were extremely grateful.” However, this was not the end of Ron’s generosity. A short time later he ran back to the students and told them that he was in a meeting until 6 pm. However, he asked them that if they were able to get tickets to somewhere like South Africa, would they win? He suggested they go to a travel agent and find out what might be available. Matilda and Matthew in the travel agents with Ron As Matt explains, “we didn’t know his (the again. However, after an anxious two hour benefactor’s) budget but wait we got a call from Ron saying that he was in the travel agents and about to book. he suggested we could He had booked us two return flights to go anywhere. It felt like a Singapore, a hotel for two nights, and he dream, then it dawned on would have a colleague collect us and take The winners’ “final destination” photo us out for a meal there. He even offered us us that the unbelievable spending money which we declined.” Did the team ever plan to get so far? might just be happening, “Absolutely not!” Matt replies. ”We never and we actually may have Following an impromptu celebration, would have dreamt that we would actually a chance of not just getting the team called their parents and set off be the pair that made the headlines. to Heathrow. After a 12-hour flight the It was a series of pure chance events out of the country, but students were escorted to their hotel on leading to the most memorable 36 actually winning!” Orchard Road, Singapore’s answer to the hours of our lives. If anything had gone West End. At breakfast “we were called differently that day we would not have After the slightly surreal experience of saying we’d won, we were ecstatic! We been on that street to meet Ron. We feel explaining the situation to a travel agent, went to the pool to watch the sunrise over like the luckiest people ever! You hear the team were terrified that Ron may have Orchard Road, then we toured the city. It about these things happening, but you re-thought “and we would never see him was beautiful, and so hot!” never think it’ll happen to you!”

Return to Contents 15 Trinity Hall Front Court

Round the World Yacht Race ... almost home!

It has been nine months finishing back in Southampton on 22 July. since James Rogers (TH It has been truly insane at times, but an 2001) left Southampton on a incredible and unique experience: soaking wet – crashing waves compete with Round the World Yacht Race. torrential rain; bitterly cold – with snow He tells us of his adventures on deck and slush falling out of the sails; unbearably hot – tropical nights are hotter to date. than British summer days; very windy – with gusts in excess of 50 miles per hour at times; eerily calm – when the sea is like a glass sheet and there is seemingly nothing James takes another trip up the mast to check else in the world but your floating home; the rigging like a wildlife programme – countless have liked, but there is a way to go and we dolphins, whales, albatross, turtles, grow stronger with every race. There has jellyfish, squid and thousands of flying fish; been drama across the fleet but thankfully bumpier than any roller-coaster – making all crew are safe and sound, and whether cooking interesting and a little like a circus injured or just knackered, all are on the act with knives flying across the galley; mend. I cannot tell you the number of an unbelievable challenge – physically, times that I have wished I could just get A wave hits as the crew perform a sail change on mentally and emotionally; fairly hairy – the bow off and come home, but I haven’t, as there both in terms of on our faces and mother are a million times I can tell you about During the nine months we have crossed nature’s impressive power demonstrations; that have kept me going. It is difficult to the Atlantic, twice, dropped into the full of adrenalin – with late night sail describe the feeling as you approach land Southern Ocean, twice, hidden from changes, surfing downwind, trips up after weeks of being at sea and seeing Pirates in the seas around the Philippines the mast in rough seas and last minute nothing but a few birds and a lot of water. and Indonesia, battled the horrendous changes in race position. My crew mates have been consistent conditions in the ‘Washing Machine’ in sources of support and inspiration, the the Luzon Straits off Taiwan and finally Being part of the Qingdao crew has been human element of this race has been the crossed the mighty Pacific Ocean! Having brilliant, we have worked well together and most fascinating to me. sailed under the Golden Gate Bridge after formed a really strong and happy team, 5,850 miles of racing from China, we are developing our all round sailing skills and Another inspiration for me as I undertake enjoying Californian sunshine before running the boat ourselves. We may not this challenge has been my late friend, we head off again for the final two legs, have yet had the podium finishes we might Mark Evison. I have run the US Half Marathon in San Francisco as part of my 15k-squared challenge, which has become more and more difficult as my legs are not getting the exercise they need whilst out on the ocean waves. Find out more and help my efforts to raise money by googling James Rogers RTW and clicking on my Virgin Money page.

I have had the privilege of being the media crew member on Qingdao and so you can get a much more animated impression of what life has been like at the Clipper YouTube site: www.youtube.com/user/ ClipperRTW. You can also follow the race at www.clipperroundtheworld.com where daily diaries and photos come back from Motoring in convoy to protect against the threat of pirates near Indonesia [and enjoying another spectacular sunset] all the crews as we race each other.

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McMenemy Seminars and Marshall McLuhan Symposium

In addition to a very full social calendar, the MCR caters for the academic life of the graduate community in College by organising the McMenemy Seminar Series and the Marshall McLuhan Symposium.

Held each Wednesday during Full Term, Graduate Students at First held in 2010, the Marshall McLuhan the McMenemy seminars are one of the Symposium provides a forum for highlights of MCR academic life. The Trinity Hall study an stimulating intellectual discussion in the seminar series is run by the McMenemy extremely diverse range College graduate community. Named after co-ordinators and funded by the MCR for of subjects, from quantum the distinguished communications theorist the benefit of all College members, with and alumnus of Trinity Hall (TH 1934), speakers preferentially chosen from the physics to the philosophy all members of the MCR are welcome graduate community. Graduate students of ancient Babylonian to participate. Each symposium has a at Trinity Hall study an extremely diverse mathematics, making theme and takes place over the course of range of subjects, from quantum physics a day, with informal presentations in the to the philosophy of ancient Babylonian the McMenemy Seminar morning and three panel-style debates in mathematics, making the McMenemy Series one of most varied the afternoon. Refreshments are kindly seminar series one of most varied in in Cambridge! provided by the College. The symposium Cambridge! The seminars are named for held on 28 April 2011 had the theme of and dedicated to the memory of Chris “Going Places: Motion, Movement, Travel”. The McMenemy seminars are open to McMenemy (TH 1998), a Trinity Hall The debates were held on the subject of all College members, including alumni graduate student who co-founded the Freedom of Information in the Graham and staff. The McMenemy co-ordinators series in 1999, but who tragically died in a Storey Room, followed by a wine reception for this academic year are Post Docs boating accident in 2000. in the MCR. Libby Caygill and Maria Jiminez, and Asa McKercher (TH 2010). The McMenemy seminars allow This year’s symposium was held on the graduates the opportunity to find out what 5 May on the theme of Memory. other MCR members actually study. One of the most important functions of the College for graduate students is to bring together students from different academic disciplines, and the McMenemy Seminars are an important part of how Trinity Hall makes this happen. Aimed at a lay audience, the talks are also challenging for the speakers, who need to distil their knowledge for a non-specialist audience. The Seminar is concluded with a lively discussion, which is continued over drinks before Grad Hall.

Talks which have taken place this term include Lawrence Whittaker’s (TH 2006) ‘Antidepressants: Do you know what you’re taking? – Evaluating New Therapeutics in Mental Health’ examining issues concerning drug development, Sarah Weaver’s (TH 2010) exploration of Alfred Tennyson’s life at Cambridge as a student and James Thom’s (TH 2009) discussion of the mental capacities of the crow family. Dr Jean-Francois Mercure presents his work on climate change at the McMenemy Seminar

Return to Contents 17 Academic Honours

Happy 70th Birthday

Professor Stephen Hawking (TH 1962 insight and vision continues to have an and Honorary Fellow) celebrated his impact on the way fundamental physics 70th birthday earlier this year. To honour at the extremes in black holes and the this occasion a conference entitled Big Bang are understood. A major goal “The State of the Universe” was held of the conference was to review the in Cambridge, hosted by the Centre for current status of the fields of black holes, Theoretical Cosmology, at the Centre for cosmology and fundamental physics; Mathematical Sciences in the University there were 27 invited speakers all of whom of Cambridge. They were very pleased are world leaders in these fields. Further to be able to hold this remarkable event information can be found at the website for Professor Hawking whose courage, www.ctc.cam.ac.uk/stephen70/ The Master is looking forward to © sir cam a busy start to the Michaelmas term as, from 1 October 2012, he becomes the new Head of the School of the Humanities and Social Sciences.

The School is one of the six within the University. The Schools are responsible for budgeting and make decisions on the structure of teaching as well as dealing with academic appointments. Another new role for him this term will be as Chairman of the Leverhulme Trust Research Awards Advisory Committee which deals with allocation of early, mid and emeritus fellowships. Image projected onto the Senate House during the University’s 800th campaign

We are delighted to announce that Vice- Harold Attridge (TH 1967) is named Master Professor John Sterling Professor at Yale University Clarkson received a KU Leuven Honorary Doctorate for outstanding On 1 March, Yale President, Richard Levin, was published in its entirety in the New research on ageing. revealed that Harry Attridge (TH 1967) will York Times. be named to a Sterling Professorship, the For more details on this award and highest honor that can be conferred upon Professor Clarkson’s research, please a member of the Yale faculty. visit our website, www.trinhall.cam.ac.uk. Professor Attridge is a distinguished New Congratulations go Testament scholar whose interests are to Professor James in New Testament exegesis, the study of Montgomery on his Hellenistic Judaism and the history of the election to the Sir Thomas early church. Adams’s Professorship of Arabic. This Chair is He was one of the principal drafters of one of the oldest in the the Loving God and Neighbor Together University, dating from 1632, and is the document that pointed to commonalities longest-established professorship of between Christianity and Islam that Arabic in the country.

18 Return to Contents Summer 2012 NEWS IN BRIEF

Martin Fordham Celebrates 40 Years at the THBC

This April, the Hall was host to a Boat Club 185th Anniversary Regatta, and a dinner in honour of Martin Fordham who has served as THBC Boatman for 40 years.

Over 200 alumni attended the event, overrunning the river as crews battled it out for a trophy and plate. The evening saw Jeff Cook donate a rare coxless pair, the last to win the British National Championships before the boat class was retired, to the Club (pictured). The THBC launched a new fundraising appeal at the event with the aim of repairing and renovating the Latham Boat House. For more information about the 185th anniversary regatta and the boat house plans, please see www.trinityhallbc.co.uk (L-R) Jeff Cook, Gill Fordham, Martin Fordham, Don Dawson and Louise Dawson

Trinity Hall Flyers

The Trinity Hall Flyers are a team consisting of staff and a fellow who made us proud as they went on a mammoth fundraising event at the end of May.

The Trinity Hall Flyers consisted of: swim, Allan ran for 13 miles and Dr Damian Crowther (Fellow) Damian rode on his bike for 13 miles, Mr Allan Flavell (Kitchen Manager) ending up at Trinity Hall to a cheering Mr Don Dawson (Fire Porter) crowd and a party!

They all played to their different area Charity page: uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ of expertise – Don did a fantastic one mile team/TrinityHallFlyers Dr Damian Crowther, Allan Flavell and Don Dawson

MCR stage Vagina Monologues The MCR have been fundraising with a production of Eve Ensler’s Vagina Monologues. The Women’s Officers of the MCR put on this event auditioning students, staff and Fellows from the College and the University. The production took place at Trinity Hall for just two evenings at the end of April. The proceeds were divided with 10% going to an African charity and 90% going to the Cambridge Rape Crisis Centre. Trinity Hall staff and fellows welcome back the Flyers after their race

Return to Contents 19 Trinity Hall Front Court

Trinity Hall Association (THA)

THA Secretary’s Report – THA Events

The last twelve months have again seen opportunity to bid farewell to Sarah events held in some singularly impressive Webbe (TH 1981) as the outgoing venues. On Friday 3 June 2011 over 200 President, an occasion marked by the members and guests gathered for drinks presentation of an engraved silver tun and canapés in the Egyptian Room and by the Association and the Master and Salon of the Mansion House, London. For Fellows in recognition of the enormous many people the drinks reception was contribution that she has made. preceded by a tour of this magnificent venue. The Lord Mayor, being in foreign On Friday 28 October the Association parts, was unable to join us but we were ventured north of the border for a dinner welcomed by Sheriff Richard Sermon who in the Signet Library, Edinburgh. This proved to be another spectacular venue deputized for him. James Crerar WS (TH 1953) and Dr Nigel Chancellor and a very good turnout of members (TH 1990 & President of the THA) The AGM took place on Saturday 24 and their guests from both sides of – one comes to realise that there would September, immediately prior to the the border enjoyed drinks in the Upper seem to be something quite special about Cambridge Dinner. During the course Library – described by George IV as “the people who have been to the Hall, and of the meeting Dr Nigel Chancellor finest drawing room in Europe” – before that seems to span the decades. So do (TH 1990) was elected President of the being piped into dinner. We enjoyed try and get to an event near you (or even Association, the outgoing Secretary, a magnificent meal and conversation further afield) and do bring your partner. Colin Hayes (TH 1962), was elected flowed freely until well past the appointed We are always on the lookout for venues Vice Chairman and I took over from time for the dinner to end. for events; suggestions are very welcome. Colin as Secretary. Juliet Day (TH 1990) Our next event was a dinner in the was also elected onto the Committee. In October the THA supported a very magnificent setting of the National The Dinner was once again marked successful careers seminar in College, Museum, Cardiff on Friday 20 April. by excellent food and wines and, of organised by Andrew Burr (TH 1977) Tickets for this sold so well that we had course, great company. It was also our and Dr Rachelle Stretch (Development to move the dinner to a larger room in Office). The venue had to be switched to order to accommodate numbers. the Lecture Theatre to accommodate the Looking further ahead our AGM and number of people who wished to attend. Cambridge Dinner will be held in College As always we are immensely grateful to on Saturday 22 September. In October the staff of the Development and Alumni we are planning an event in the East Office, particularly Mary Richmond who Midlands at Haddon Hall in Derbyshire on shoulders so much of the burden in Friday 12 October. organising our events and to Dr Rachelle The Association’s policy of organising Stretch. We are also enormously grateful events around the country has now to the Master and to Dr Claire Daunton become well-established and at each one for their tremendous support for the it is a great joy to welcome not only those Association on so many occasions, and to members that quite frequently attend Dennis Avery (TH 1980) for his generosity events, but especially those coming to in endowing the Association, thus an event for the first time – whether facilitating our growing programme of they are recent graduates or went down events and the THA Awards. many decades ago. Some people are Chris Angus (TH 1967) reluctant to attend an event unless they think that there will be other members of their year group there. Whilst it can certainly be good to meet up with one’s contemporaries at an event, one of the great delights is to meet with Hall men (of both genders) from across the years Dinner in the Signet Library, Edinburgh

20 Return to Contents Summer 2012 y t i n i r t

l l a h

n o i t a i c o s s a

Right: A day trip to Kathmandu Zoo with the children and their carers from the HIV centre

Below: The river running through the central Kathmandu slums

THA Awards – Nepal experience

Two students were able to take up their THA awards in 2011, travelling together to Nepal, but their experience represents the very best of what the THA Awards exist to facilitate.

Niamh Hunt (TH 2009) and Sukhmani assistance and care where it was Khatkar (TH 2009) spent five weeks at desperately needed, and giving these a special centre in Nepal dedicated to two Trinity Hall students a window on the the care of young children with the HIV world that they will never forget. virus. HIV is a taboo subject in Nepal and Above: Puja, Rahul, Sanju, Bhupraj and Niamh at the its young victims are regarded by the The full report can be found at Manisha Singh centre general population almost as outcasts, www.trinhall.cam.ac.uk/alumni making their innocent plight even more tragic. The aim of this centre is to take in children up to the age of ten, improve their general health as far as possible, and raise awareness of the true nature of the virus. Niamh and Sukhmani helped with the preparation of medicines and meals, with general duties in the Centre, and in teaching basic numeracy and literacy skills, many of these children being illiterate. Above all they helped to provide the care and real affection that these Above: Rohit (aged 2) at the Manisha Singh centre children otherwise lacked. Left: Hari (aged 7) mimicking playing the flute of “Krishna”, a festival they were celebrating at the time It is abundantly clear from Niamh and Sukhmani’s post-project reports that their experience was of lasting value in both directions: providing real practical

Return to Contents 21 Trinity Hall Front Court

Robert, a Fellow of Trinity Hall and University Lecturer in the Department of TH Forum 2012 Zoology, set out to challenge other myths, namely that a belief in the science of Contention, Controversy and Combat evolution somehow undermined religious belief and the role of a divine creator. As Robert said so clearly, biological evolution A number of myths were challenged in College London and Director of King’s is about the diversification of living Simon Wessely’s talk on 30 January. The Centre for Military Health Research – has biodiversity from one or few common effects of war in Afghanistan on British shown that post-traumatic stress is a ancestors, it does not concern the origin soldiers are not, unsurprisingly, as the more serious problem for the Americans. of life or the existence of God. From his popular press reports them to be. War The evidence suggests a number of own committed interest in religion and has not led to a significant increase in factors at play: for the US army much religious belief, and his acknowledged unemployment, criminality, or even post- longer tours of duty, greater use of academic expertise in the field of traumatic stress amongst this group of reserves, and – controversially – the lack palaeontology and evolutionary biology, regular soldiers (sadly the same is not of automatic access to free healthcare for Robert was able to tackle the opinions true for our reservists). It has however led life. The safety net of access to the NHS and arguments of both creationists and to higher levels of alcohol consumption for British soldiers, imperfect though it academic scientists. In a well-argued, with the familiar consequences – but may be, but not dependent on having a expertly-delivered talk, which attracted that is not altogether unknown in other service-related disability, is one important so much interest that some of those who sections of British society. Of course difference between our two nations. It had not booked ahead had to be turned some amongst the group suffer from was good to have representatives of both away, Robert addressed the common post-traumatic stress disorder and armed forces on hand to speak from first- misunderstanding that an evolutionary this is a terrible affliction, paralysing hand experience, along with members biologist cannot be religious, and vice- thought and action, and putting on hold of the charity Combat Stress, of which versa. The attentive audience was quick normal life for the sufferers and their Simon is a much-valued member and to take up a number of points in the families; but in the British army it is leading representative. discussion which followed. not at the levels experienced in the US armed forces. Simon’s inimitable style We had a similarly The final excellent and thought-provoking of presentation, coupled with the hard large and diverse talk in this year’s Forum line-up was given evidence of a rigorous epidemiological audience for Robert by Chris Blackhurst (TH 1979) on Monday study of 7,700 soldiers, made for a Asher’s Forum talk 14 May with the title ‘Leveson and the fascinating and thought-provoking talk, on 26 March. Robert’s Lessons from Hacking’. followed by many questions. In the large topic was evolution and and diverse audience were serving belief, and coincided Chris, editor of The Independent, soldiers of both the British and US army. with the appearance examined whether a judicial inquiry into Working with colleagues in the US, the of his latest book the ethics of the Press is the correct study led by Simon (TH 1975) – Professor (Evolution and Belief: Confessions of a response to the hacking scandal. Is of Psychological Medicine at King’s Religious Palaeontologist, CUP, £15.99). Leveson the right approach? By focussing on an entire industry, not just those accused of hacking, is the inquiry in danger of curbing journalism in the public interest – a vital ingredient in a democracy where freedom of the Press is sacrosanct? It was another very interesting and stimulating occasion, with many questions to follow.

We have been most fortunate in our speakers and our audiences in 2011–2012. These talks take time and thought to organise and I am much indebted to the superb organisational skills of Mary Richmond. Mary, supported by her colleague Amy Williams, has again helped me to bring the series together so well.

Claire Daunton Master’s Lodge Soldiers in Afghanistan

22 Return to Contents Summer 2012

Spinach Health New Trinity Hall

Anna McKay (TH 2000) made a typical transition from the Merchandise Hall to working life; she joined the graduate scheme at a Music at Trinity Hall ‘Big 4’ audit firm and rose through the ranks to Manager Andrew Arthur, in their Financial Consultancy department. But a nagging Director of Music at Trinity Hall, frustration with corporate attitudes towards health and plays a varied fitness caused her to take action and set up her own and dynamic programme of company to fill an important gap in the health market. baroque music on the College’s superb new double-manual harpsichord passion is challenging the status quo by Andrew Garlick. Recorded in the concerning health. As Anna explains: College Chapel, the disc features music by Bach, Handel, Böhm, Purcell, Couperin “Spinach is a health and Greene. For information on ordering company that is this new fabulous CD, available from built on a passionate June 2012, priced at £10.00 + P&P, visit the Trinity Hall website: belief that leading a www.trinhall.cam.ac.uk/about/ healthy life should be merchandise.asp accessible to everyone, no matter how long, Singing in the rain!! stressful, inconvenient Make wet weather more or unpredictable your Anna McKay (TH 2000) enjoyable by owning a Trinity Hall working day happens umbrella. Next time you are in Working for seven years at one of the ‘Big 4’ accountancy firms gave Anna a to be.” College, purchase one of our rewarding start to her professional career. Anna works in conjunction with new-style umbrellas from the However, the pervasive assumption that management teams to design and deliver Porters’ Lodge. a ‘successful corporate career’ and a tailored health programmes that are ‘healthy lifestyle’ were irreconcilable pro-active, accessible and relevant for their There are two sizes available, a large was a cause of constant frustration for staff teams. The company’s main offering black and white golfing umbrella and a Anna. Her life-long passion for sport and is an eight-week programme that includes smaller black telescopic handbag-size health, which manifested in her rowing practical fitness and nutrition training umbrella with the College crest. The for THBC 1st boat and racing Varsity level sessions, as well as modern, relevant purchase prices are £15 and £10. The athletics while at TH, had taught her that advice concerning sleep and stress. telescopic umbrella is modeled here by the two were intrinsically linked. She Trinity Hall Porter, Stuart Tull. knew from experience that her academic “With so much focus on the Olympics and professional performance was always and leaving a legacy for the health of superior when she was fit and healthy. On children and under-privileged adults, investigation, Anna found that she was not both of whom are very important groups, alone; she found growing frustration from I really hope that the Olympics will also employees with many London companies be a turning point for management that only offered reactive health solutions. teams. The business case for investing She also received support for her belief in the health of your staff teams really that pro-active health solutions were not adds up: a 27% reduction in absence and only better for the individual, but better 20% improvement in productivity and for their teams and cheaper and more retention, together with the benefits of effective for their companies. better engagement with clients and faster decision-making: we’ve seen it work!” Realising there was a gap in the market, Here’s hoping that the Olympics will and building on her passion for sport leave a legacy for the health of the and fitness, Anna set up ‘Spinach’. Her city professional.

Return to Contents 23 Trinity Hall Front Court

Events Walk in Cambridge 2012 Saturday 7 July 2012 College Reunion for 1993 and 1994 – and the Olympic Torch comes to Cambridge If you are visiting Cambridge this summer then why not

Sunday 19 August 2012 explore parts of Cambridge you may have missed as a College gardens (Central Site) open under student and learn about Cambridge’s sporting heritage? National Gardens Scheme

Saturday 15 September 2012 College Reunion for 1967, 1968 and 1969 Deputy Director of Development, Dr Rachelle Stretch, has been part of a group Saturday 22 September 2012 which developed six self-guided walks Trinity Hall Association AGM and round Cambridge to highlight the city Cambridge Dinner and University’s sporting achievements and cultural heritage during 2012. The Friday 21 – Sunday 23 September 2012 walks vary in length from 1.2 to 11.7 miles Cambridge Alumni Weekend and together add up to a marathon. The 29 September 2012 – 25 November 2012 routes and information on the landmarks Art Exhibition by Helene Fesenmaier in the can be downloaded from the website: Graham Storey Room www.walkcam2012.co.uk Private View on Saturday 6 October 2012 – all alumni welcome

Friday 12 October 2012 Trinity Hall Association dinner at Haddon Hall, Derbyshire

Monday 15 October 2012 Trinity Hall Forum: Extremes of Latitude and Altitude by Stephen Leonard, Andrew Murray (TH Fellows) and Philip Sidney (TH 2009)

Saturday 20 October 2012 Professor Alexander Goehr (TH Honorary Fellow) 80th birthday concert, King’s College Chapel

Wednesday 14 November 2012 Lunch at the RAF Club for the 1950 year group (invitation only) New website to be rolled out Saturday 17 November 2012 The Milestones Lecture by Dr Jan Schramm A Celebration of Dickens (see pages 6 & 7) this summer

Monday 19 November 2012 It has been five years since the website’s The Leslie Stephen Lecture by Hermione Lee, to be given in the Senate House last change, so it was decided to review and update the current site. The new Monday 3 December 2012 website will focus on all aspects of Trinity Hall Forum: A panel discussion led College life, from Admissions to articles by Graham Aaronson QC (TH 1963) and and videos on current research being Judge Guy Brannan (TH 1974) covering issues concerning the acceptance and carried out by our Fellows. Users will avoidance of taxation be able to book for events and purchase merchandise online. We hope you will A full listing of events, with booking details, find this new website – which will go are available at: live this summer – informative and www.trinhall.cam.ac.uk/events interesting. We hope to see you there: www.trinhall.cam.ac.uk

Information correct at time of going to press.

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