THE MAGAZINE OF HUGHES HALL, CAMBRIDGE ISSUE 26 EASTER TERM 2017 Hughes

A MILESTONE FOR BUSINESS IDEAS TO WORKING TOGETHER UNIVERSITY HUGHES CHANGE THE WORLD WITH AFRICA CHALLENGE The first academic year This year’s Enterprise Educational research From our team in ’76 to our in Gresham Court. Society Awards. in Southern Africa. Paxman-era attempts. PAGE 4 PAGE 7 PAGE 13 PAGE 14

BUILDING BRIDGES Four Hughes Research Associates take inter-disciplinary science courses to secondary school students

1 IN THIS ISSUE

The first academic year in Gresham Court 4 University Challenge ’76 14

Lydia Wong on LGBT+ at Hughes 5 Alumni News 16

Building bridges 6 Tributes 18

Business ideas to change the world 7 Acknowledging our sporting achievements 20

Working together with Africa 13 Emily Jane Pfeiffer, one of Hughes’ earliest benefactors 22

2 WELCOME From The President

Dear Alumni and Friends of Hughes Hall,

This Easter Term has been overshadowed by the tragic loss of Richard Berg Rust, our Development Director and editor and founder of this magazine. A tribute to him and others who have been important members of the College can be found towards the back. He would have insisted that I should remind you of the opportunity to name one of the few remaining rooms in Gresham Court, and that I should also note the campaign to raise money in his name for a Men’s Boat and for a Lecture Series on Northern Literature – www.hughes.cam.ac.uk/news/a-campaign-to-celebrate-the- life-and-works-of-richard-berg-rust/.

This issue of “Hughes” demonstrates the depth and breadth of activities of members of all ages and seniority, in the past and today. Our history is covered by articles related to the Margaret Wileman Building, looking at the architect and the benefactor, together with the founding of our boat club and reminiscences from the only time Hughes Hall has appeared on University Challenge. It is one of my aims to ensure this is repeated sooner rather than later. we are starting a new initiative named “The Bridge” to support those researchers who wish to realise the potential Student life in the College today is showcased in the article by of their work, but need to develop some new skills and make our former MCR President and one on LGBT+ activity, while new connections. Look for this in future issues. the prowess of our sportsmen continues - 5 rowers in the Men’s Blue Boat is, we think, a modern-day record, but many Finally, for those seeking a respite from the pace of modern other sportsmen and women win competitions and prizes. life, we share the thoughts of two alumni with a fascination And Google has now found Hughes Hall, providing an answer respectively for toys and medieval robots, and of a Life Fellow to the age-old query: Hughes Hall - where’s that? with a love of painting and gardening.

Our post-doctoral researchers are a growing and important Laurel and I are off to Tuscany for the summer. We wish you constituency of the active College membership. Their too a restful period, wherever you are. importance to the University and the College is demonstrated by both their academic successes and our cover story on a schools outreach programme.

Our Fellows continue to break new ground and apply their research in policy and practice, with examples here of our Dr Anthony Freeling education and biomedical science activities. Looking forward, President

3 COLLEGE NEWS

The first academic year in Gresham Court

The opening of Gresham and the environment is a College facilities and the greater can be paid in instalments, for Court last year represented resounding success. sense of community that it has example £83.33 per month an important milestone in the created. We will continue to for 4 years (with Gift Aid, UK development of Hughes Hall. What is slightly less obvious is build on this great start. Taxpayers). If you are interested Now we are celebrating a new the impact it has had on the please contact Claire Dickens milestone, as the first student College – we now have another Before we start planning the next on 01223 768243 or email residents complete their first 85 students in residence and strategic move, we still have a [email protected]. academic year in the new the vibrancy that it has created few rooms that are unnamed ac.uk or speak to someone in our building. The Gresham Court is noticeable. This clearly and we would welcome Development Office and we can building is recognised for its demonstrates the benefits individuals or groups to name guide you through the process. quality of accommodation of students having access to them – the cost is £5,000, which

4 Lydia Wong on LGBT+ visibility, acceptance, and understanding

For the past two years, I have Community. Every 1st February, been the LGBT+ (Lesbian, Gay, the ‘Pride flag’ (which is a Bisexual, and Transgender) symbolic representation of Representative of Hughes the Community) is flown Hall, working with other proudly on top of the College members to improve Margaret Wileman building in the visibility, acceptance, recognition of International and understanding of LGBT+ LGBT Month. individuals within the College. In such a short space of time, For some, it may seem peculiar a lot of progress has been that these celebrations and made, with its beneficial formal changes are necessary. consequences felt far beyond After all, the LGBT+ Community Hughes Hall. For example, the is not the only minority group (now) annual LGBT+ Formal facing discrimination in our Law Fellow Martin Steinfeld (left), Lydia Wong and Professor Dinner has attracted more than society today. However, in light Wintemute (right) at the 2017 LGBT formal dinner at Hughes 196 guests across Cambridge of recent events happening at this year, making it the most home and from afar, it provides popular LGBT+ Formal event us with an acute reminder fact, a few litigants have turned its LGBT+ students and at Cambridge University. that the persecution of LGBT the cases upside down by members by holding up a Distinguished guests such as individuals is far from a thing submitting that, by coercing shield that some may find Professor Robert Wintemute of the past. them to treat homosexuals on too heavy to hold. There is of King’s College London, a equal footing as heterosexuals, nothing inherently political or Professor of Human Rights Law, In 2017, we continue to see the law is discriminating against controversial about standing came to celebrate the occasion. legal disputes arriving at Courts them as they could not manifest up for others and being where individuals seek to justify their beliefs that homosexuality against discrimination. The The College and I have their discrimination towards is wrong. demonstration of such pride worked hard to update its customers, classmates, co- does nothing to burden others; policies to ensure that they workers, and others based purely By championing diversity, for some, it may even be a are inclusive of the LGBT+ on their sexual orientation. In Hughes Hall is supporting symbol of hope.

New Google Expeditions app features museums, the sea bed, outer space and Hughes Hall!

Get your virtual reality headsets Expeditions. The new app ready because soon you enables teachers to bring may be able to ‘walk’ along students on virtual trips to Wollaston Road and glance places as diverse as museums, up at the majestic Margaret the sea bed, and outer space. Wileman building, tour our More than one million students peaceful library or walk into from over 11 countries have Panorama of the Margaret Wileman building one of our new student rooms. taken an Expedition since Google introduced the Google Court Study Space will all feature Hughes was 1 of 7 locations in Expeditions Pioneer Program with annotated details and the University of Cambridge last May. points of interest. The project that Google visited in March to reiterates our strong focus on Find out more about capture some 360° panoramas Hughes Hall’s Margaret Wileman education and innovation and Google Expeditions at and 3D images for their new building, Dining Hall, Library, showcases life at Hughes to www.youtube.com/ educational app Google Fenner’s Terrace and Gresham people all over the world. watch?v=n29VQwW-03o

5 Hughes forges closer links with Cambridge health think tank

Hughes Hall has further profit think tank, as was his strengthened their link with predecessor, Sarah Squire. the PHG Foundation by signing a Memorandum of Dr Hilary Burton said: “Hughes Understanding (MOU) with the Hall and the PHG Foundation Foundation on 17 March 2017 have shared ambitions - using at the PHG Foundation offices. research to make a difference in the wider world. We have The two bodies have a long had a close relationship for more history of working together, than ten years and the MOU founded on a shared interest puts this on a formal footing. of ensuring the outputs of I look forward to some exciting scientific, clinical and humanities ventures with Hughes Hall in based research have a positive which our own expertise in impact on society. PHG’s implementation of biomedical founder and chair, Dr Ron sciences will be complemented Zimmern, and Director, Dr by the College’s wider academic Hilary Burton are Fellows of and international perspectives Hughes Hall. Current President – all aimed at achieving Dr Ron Zimmern (left) and Dr Anthony Freeling (right) signing the of Hughes Hall, Dr Anthony transformational change and Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which will strengthen the Freeling is a Trustee of the non- nurturing tomorrow’s leaders.” link between the PHG Foundation and Hughes Hall

Building bridges Four Hughes Research Associates take inter-disciplinary science courses to secondary school students

Four Hughes Research Associates up iLAB) and The Brilliant Club have pioneered a new STEM (www.thebrilliantclub.org/). enrichment initiative dedicated to helping young people achieve The team explain, “We want to their full potential, regardless of give students access to their background. stimulating, University-style education through a series of Joanna Brunker, Kelly Diederen, tutorials delivered in school for Cat Fitzpatrick and Celine free. Unlike most initiatives of Labouesse, all Hughes Hall this type, this is a long-term Research Associates, initiated approach where we will be their STEM outreach working with the students on a focussing on the causes of and The Hughes team are programme to increase the weekly basis rather than a one potential treatments of planning to continue and enthusiasm for interdisciplinary off talk or a few classes. It is our Parkinson’s Disease. expand the scheme in the science among school students belief that this approach will future, and will be calling out and improve their chances of raise attainment for students They have just completed their for volunteer participants getting into good Universities, and enable achievement and first pilot at Jack Hunt school soon. such as Cambridge. opportunity for all.” in Peterborough, where they were received enthusiastically by The programme is termed iLAB If you would like to know more teachers and students alike. One (interactive Learning Across Their varied scientific about the programme, please student said, “It didn’t seem like a Boundaries) and draws backgrounds, neuroscience, contact [email protected]. inspiration from similar schemes medical imaging and molecular lesson, it was more fun; I enjoyed such as STEMgrowth (initiated biology, has enabled them to coming to it!” Another wrote, “It by Dr Daniel Portelli, a Maths develop an eclectic science has made me more excited to go teacher who also helped to set course for the students into the medical field.” 6 Major Technology Award awarded to new Hughes Research Fellow

Fernando Gonzalez-Zalba has been awarded one of the most prestigious annual awards of Hitachi’s Centre for Social Innovation, the R&D Technology Award for his work in quantum computing at the Hitachi Cambridge Laboratory.

The award comes after working quantum computer. Fernando developed a new However, building the physical concept of quantum computer device that could process based on the conventional information according to the technology of silicon transistors. laws of quantum physics is This new type of computer will an extremely difficult task solve problems that even the that research institutions and most powerful supercomputers large corporations around the could never solve. Fernando world are trying to tackle. In receives funds from the Horizon my research, I demonstrated 2020 program of the European that the same technology Commission to develop this that is used in conventional concept further. electronics can also be used to process quantum information, “Quantum computers could when operated at very low If you would like to know more solve problems intractable temperatures. I believe using about the Hitachi Cambridge for the most powerful conventional silicon electronics Laboratory, please visit www. supercomputers of today for quantum computing can hit.phy.cam.ac.uk. More and tomorrow. Such promise bridge the gap between information on the H2020 has triggered a race to be promise and reality faster with a MOS-Quito project can be the first to develop an actual much lower cost of adoption.” found at www.mos-quito.eu.

Business ideas to change the world The Richard Berg Rust Enterprise Society Awards

Three finalists, AptaTec Medical, IoQS and OpFix pitched their exciting business ideas to a panel of judges and a full Peter Richards Room at the Grand Final of the Enterprise Society Awards in May.

The teams did an exceptional 2016 Bioscience Enterprise) and job at persuading the audience the OpFix team are planning that their business idea is a to use software to turn any worthy candidate for the prize. smartphone into a low-cost, Dominik Reich’s (PhD 2015 portable glaucoma diagnostic Chemistry) company Aptatec tool. With cancer, asthma and Medical is developing an glaucoma-induced blindness innovative way to personalise major health issues around the cancer treatment through world, all three of our finalists aptamer screening. IoQS, could soon be making a huge founded by Graeham Douglas difference to people’s lives. (PhD 2013 Engineering), is creating a new method for This year, OpFix’s solution to a measuring lung function in portable glaucoma diagnostic asthma patients and Pablo tool was a winner and they OpFix (left to right): Javier Núñez-Vicandi, Pablo Lubroth, Lubroth, Samuel Black (MPhil were awarded the £1,250 prize. Hughesian Samuel Black, Fergus Kennedy and Ivana Yeow

7 The Founding of Hughes Hall Boat Club

From designing livery and logos to May Races, Stephen Priest (BA Philosophy 1978) provides an insight into the early days of rowing at Hughes.

I strolled across Parker’s Piece one chilly evening in early Michaelmas 1979 to negotiate the use of Emmanuel College boats with the Emma Captain of Boats in his rooms. He very generously permitted the use of both clinkers, shells, and their boat house. Returning to Hughes, I posted a call for rowers on the College notice board. More than enough had signed up by the end of the next day.

I spoke at a Michaelmas MCR meeting, requesting an award members as far as possible, The crew seemed more curious 3. N. A. P. Devine of £40 for the purchase of to learn to row in time, avoid than amused by Mick’s still 4. D. Wylie rowing shirts and warmers. This burying blades, taking air boater-ed head shouting up at 5. I. Bardrick was granted. Livery and logos strokes, or catching a crab. us in the Cam. 6. C. Senior were designed by myself in Our first coach was Ian Leslie 7. R. V. G. Douch consultation with the others, (Darwin), our second coach Sometimes there was a bit of Str. M. Fischer the garments mail ordered, Mick McWalter (Corpus) and ‘town and gown’. The oar of Cox. D. L. Payne and delivered. Until their issue, both were extremely capable. one of our crew snagged the the crew presented a motley lines of a row of local fishermen Coach: M. McWalter appearance: pullovers, cap- We used only the clinkers sitting along the bank. They comforters and scarfs. at first, as the affable but were sent into paroxysms of Hughes Hall 1st May Boat 1980 apprehensive Emma rage. ‘That’s our country’s future Bow J. B. Butler We established a routine of boatwright had impressed there!’ and so on. One of us 2. S. Capstick rowing from 6.30am to 7.30am upon us that these were much called back ‘Can’t help the past!’ 3. G. Walling Mondays to Fridays during cheaper to repair than the but they were unpersuaded of 4. S. M. Priest Full Term. I used to run to the shells. Outside the regular the truth of his remark. 5. D. J. Allcock boathouse from my digs in morning hours, we trained We entered the May Races in 6. I. Emberley Holland Street, over Jesus Lock as a novice crew, initially in a 1979 and 1980, bumping Sidney 7. J. G. L. Walford and along the towpath. It was tub, and sometimes took an Sussex sixth boat. Their crew Str. S. J. Cahill made a rule that anyone who eight out to The Plough at Fen was immensely disappointed to Cox. J. E. Minot failed to show at the river, Ditton, for a long lunch. be bumped. We celebrated, on without finding a replacement, the river, in The Fort St. George, Coach: I. Leslie forfeited their place in the boat The training sessions were and in the river. to the next in line. Without not without incident. On one In 1979-1980 a Hughes Hall such a rule it would have been occasion, McWalter, cycling at full The crews and coaches were: Women’s Boat Club was impractical to field an eight speed, wearing Corpus scarf and formed, also using Emma boats, every weekday morning. striped blazer, issuing commands Hughes Hall 1st May Boat 1979 and I handed over the Boat I also quickly found it essential through the megaphone, failed Bow J. A. Brautmeier Club to a new Captain of Boats. to deploy the same crew to notice a bend in the towpath. 2. S. M. Priest

8 Alumna Elly Truitt (MPhil 1997 History) recovers the forgotten history of Medieval Robots in her new book

A thousand years before forgotten history of fantastical, imagination in medieval culture “Metropolis,” real and imagined aspirational, and terrifying and demonstrates the striking automata appeared in machines that captivated similarities between medieval European courts, liturgies, Europe in imagination and and modern robotic and and literary texts. They were reality between the ninth and cybernetic visions. introduced from distant fourteenth centuries. Chronicled places, such as Constantinople, in romances and song as well Karakorum, Baghdad, and as histories and encyclopedias, Medieval Robots: Mechanism, Damascus. Variously ascribed medieval automata were Magic, Nature, and Art is to artisanal genius, inexplicable powerful cultural objects that available now at www.upenn. cosmic forces, or demonic probed the limits of natural edu/pennpress powers, these marvelous philosophy, illuminated and fabrications raised fundamental challenged definitions of life questions about knowledge, and death, and epitomized nature, and divine purpose in the transformative and the Middle Ages. threatening potential of foreign knowledge and culture. The Alumna Elly Truitt’s new book book reveals the convergence Medieval Robots recovers the of science, technology, and the

Alan Leong Leading Barrister, Civic Party Chairman, Hughes alumnus….and Toy Collector

Many know Alan Leong as a at the Hong Kong Museum successful Hong Kong Barrister, of History in order to support Civic Party Chairman and the case of a permanent toy alumnus of Hughes Hall, but museum in Hong Kong, not a lot of people know that which is the second largest within his law chambers 30 toy exporter in the world. ceramic figurines portraying young children are displayed Alan commented in the South on his bookshelf next to piles China Morning Post: “With a of law books. The figurines permanent museum in place, are a popular collector’s item people will then have the produced by German brand opportunity to take a trip M.I. Hummel and Alan has been down memory lane whenever collecting them for many years, they want. And I think building quite the collection. being allowed to go back to childhood days even just for Alan has featured his collection a brief moment is something on the South China Morning very precious. I certainly Post to coincide with the recent would support the idea three-month toy exhibition of a permanent toy museum.”

9 FOLLOWING FAWCETT ON FOOT

In 1895, Hughes Hall (then the Cambridge Training College for Women Teachers) acquired its permanent home, now called the Margaret Wileman Building. The architect, William Milner Fawcett, probably first designed the project a decade earlier. He planned a range rounded off by two large Dutch gables. The southern end had to wait until 1938, when it materialised in humbler form.

Since Fawcett worked in Cambridge for forty years (he died in 1908), it’s possible to stroll around and review his work. This walking tour is gratefully distilled from the Hughes’ Margaret Wileman Building 2014 revision of The Buildings of England: Cambridgeshire, by Simon Bradley and Nikolaus had arrived in Cambridge style, it hardly fits its urban site, Choir School, but the actual Pevsner. Unfortunately, Pevsner, big time, but it had ancient either in size or style. building is a failure. Fawcett the original author, dismissed roots too. Fawcett solved the designed it in two tranches, Fawcett as “not a man of much problem with an imposing Across the road, at the back twenty years apart (1877-98), talent”. It might be fairer to say Gothic front, unluckily hard to of Queens’, Fawcett’s 1886 producing a sprawl that is that he was a versatile artist take in along a narrow street. Friars’ Building is Hughes Hall’s untidy without managing to be who could work in different nightmare doppelganger, cold quaint. A botched attempt to styles and (probably) within Fawcett built his own house brickwork, sharp attics and a disguise a central chimney looks tight budgets. in 1868-9 at Number 1 Silver mishmash of window patterns. like Cape Canaveral in Lego. Street, now Ede & Ravenscroft. Oddly enough, at the same Start in Emmanuel College An early touch of the Arts and time he designed University Turn away to the comfortable gardens, where in 1886-8 Crafts Movement, it gave him a offices nearby at 4 Mill Lane reassurance of 23 West Road, Fawcett built a hostel, which central base. (now the Student Registry), the last house before Grange fronts on Parker Street. The with gentler, Hughesian Road, another 1886 project, central range (other architects Nobody was impressed by features, like Dutch gables. now a Selwyn residence. The extended it later) has a slight but the ancient dining hall at St Shake up the two in a bag, and chimneys are jolly – and a extravagant Hughes Hall flavour. Catharine’s. In 1868-9, Fawcett you might have the Margaret touch familiar? gave it a large Gothic bay Wileman Building. One of Fawcett’s earliest window, still a feature of Main Beyond the bend in Selwyn assignments was the Cavendish Court. A century later, the college Head across the Backs to West Gardens, Number 8 (a private Laboratory (1872-4), in Free decamped to modern facilities. Road. From here on, most house, remember) was built School Lane (now Student buildings are private: peer in around 1899. Described as Services). The University’s Fawcett switched to but keep out. Visitors to the “William and Mary”, it exudes a first major science building, Elizabethan red brick for St University Library will know the faint whiff of Hampton Court it needed to project a Catharine’s Master’s Lodge in calm green playing field and Palace. It is probably Fawcett’s contradictory message: Science 1875-6. A country rectory in russet brick of King’s College most dignified creation.

10 Queens’ College Friar’s Building

4 Mill Lane Emmanuel Hostel on Parker Street

Beyond Newnham village, inn, the sort of hostelry with a little beyond Hughes Hall. Reserve. The plaque must have Fawcett built the Perse roast beef on the menu. (His Only a Gothic window looming been a labour of love. Almshouses opposite Fen earlier boathouse for Caius was incongruously over a side street Causeway. A single storey recently replaced.) reveals the sacred purpose of Pevsner’s brusque dismissal was red-brick range, they were this drab box. exaggerated. Maybe Fawcett condemned by Pevsner It’s hardly worth the haul up was tempted by too many for “crouching” beside the Castle Hill to see his Police Fawcett gave Cambridge one styles, leading him to create roundabout. In fact the modern Station of 1879, now trade piece of street furniture which ambitious structures that did vista is an accident, for Fen union offices. The yellow brick everybody sees and nobody not always “work” in cramped Causeway was only opened so popular with Victorians has notices. A large bronze plaque Cambridge townscapes. But as a relief road in 1938: the not worn well, and Fawcett’s on the east wall of Great St Hughes Hall was surely lucky in location was remote in 1886. creation survives incongruously Mary’s, facing Market Hill, its first architect: the Margaret The architect was Fawcett, stranded among modern commemorates local men who Wileman Building represents not Foresight. redevelopment. served in the 1899-1902 South W.M. Fawcett’s best work. African War. Two mournful A few Fawcett buildings are Time has also been unkind soldiers in tropical kit stand further afield. In 1882, he built to the parish “institute” that guard alongside. Fawcett Ged Martin Honorary Fellow “Goldie”, the CUBC boat house. Fawcett designed in 1897 for St was a keen amateur soldier, a It looks like a friendly country Barnabas’ church in Mill Road, Lieutenant-Colonel in the Army

11 The Maya Renaissance

When I tell people that I’m studying the Mayas, I’m often asked, “where did they go”? It’s a question that is entirely understandable. Everything we hear about these people evokes images of towering pyramids, intricate hieroglyphs, mysterious rituals carved in stone. One could be forgiven for thinking that the Mayas, after achieving extraordinary heights in terms of art and science, had simply vanished. That is why my response often comes as a complete surprise: “nowhere”. The Mayas, and all of their 31 languages, are still very much alive.

How did it happen that the into deep fault lines where fault are more threatened than ever, playwrights. For all of them, descendants of this brilliant was found only among the largely due to discrimination. the nonhuman world is central civilization – the Greece of the indigenous people. But slowly a new page is turning. to human culture. Through Americas – became so invisible Across the two continents, their work, they re-stitch the to the rest of the world? The As oracles were smashed, language revitalization efforts arteries of significance that answer: through a policy of temples destroyed, shamans are gradually taking hold. connect humanity to nature. cultural annihilation that began tortured and killed, nature Indigenous literati are starting to The poet, Feliciano Sánchez with the European invasion half a became dumb, and humans write in their ancestral tongues. Chan expressed it this way: “The millennium ago, and continued numb. Amputated from the The discarded seeds of withered world is an open book waiting until well into the twentieth cosmos, indigenous worldviews philosophies are germinating. to be read”. As humanity century. As the Americas began to disintegrate. Perhaps These efforts are increasingly wakes up to its ecological morphed from a patchwork of the most tragic event, for gaining state recognition and responsibility, this new chapter interconnected cultures into the Mayas, occurred on July even sponsorship. in the Maya story has a truly Europe writ large, the indigenous 12th, 1562, when the bishop universal resonance. people were marginalized Diego de Landa ordered Having lost almost all of spatially and ideologically. every hieroglyphic book to be their stories to the white- brought to his headquarters hot flame of intolerance, the Charles M. Pigott Research Fellow, Hughes Hall Central to this process was in Maní. In the space of a few Mayas are writing new ones. Leverhulme Early Career Fellow, a seismic rupture in the minutes, the entire corpus of Like a quetzal rising from Centre of Latin American Studies indigenous conceptions of Yucatec Mayan literature was the ashes, contemporary nature. For them, the boundary erased from history in a bonfire. Mayan writers proclaim that between humans and Almost. Three codices are all is not lost. Indeed, a new, ABOVE RIGHT nonhumans was porous. Men known to have survived. Today, regenerative cycle has just Two Mayan poets: Wildernain and women could be jaguars, they are all in Europe. begun. Fundamental to this Villegas Carrillo (right) and eagles, rainbows and stars. process is a re-signification of José Manuel Poot Cahun (left) For the newcomers, this was Indigenous people remain the our relation with other species. with Charles . It was taken at heresy. Two worldviews clashed most underprivileged in the Last summer, I interviewed the Intercultural University of with tectonic force, and fissured Americas, and their languages thirty Mayan authors, poets and Quintana Roo, where both work.

12 Developing a joint research agenda Mixed methods educational research in Southern Africa

Based at the Faculty of Education, Hughes Hall Fellow Sara Hennessy focuses on Teacher Development and Pedagogical Innovation. She recently returned from a week-long visit to South Africa where along with fellow Hughesian Sonia Ilie and colleague Bjoern Hassler, she ran intensive workshops on mixed methods in educational research and evaluation.

The mixed methods approach is increasingly popular in educational research. The basic idea is to collect, compare and integrate multiple kinds of (qualitative and quantitative) data in sequence or in parallel – using two or more methods with complementary strengths and non-overlapping weaknesses. This approach helps to strengthen the reliability of data and the validity of the findings and recommendations. It also broadens our understanding of the processes through which programme outcomes and impacts are achieved, and with discussion of issues developed ideas for joint Learning Resource – www. how these are affected by the concerning design, data collaborative research with the oer4schools.org). context of implementation. It collection and analysis. Interest University of Johannesburg, allows one to explore or explain in the workshop significantly assisted graduate students Sara commented: “We hope a phenomenon holistically from exceeded expectation, and in developing their own that through the initial research different perspectives. included staff and graduate projects, and met with both exploration and capacity students across four higher GDE and Department of Basic building activity funded by The trip, which took place in education institutions Education at the Ministry. They Alborada, we will attract March 2017, was funded by (Universities of Johannesburg, were interested in ongoing further funding to execute Alborada and co-organised the Witwatersrand, Pretoria, input, especially in terms of joint collaborative research with Sara’s host and co- and South Africa), and three developing research capacity (using mixed methods), investigator Dr Jacqueline members of the research team to evaluate their mobile develop further appropriate Batchelor, Senior Lecturer at the Gauteng Department technology initiative. research capacity, and promote in Mobile Learning at the of Education (GDE) who academic excellence in Department of Science impressively took two days To conclude a successful trip, Southern Africa.” and Technology Education, out of their schedules to the visiting group attended University of Johannesburg. upskill themselves in the area the “Teachers Upfront” twilight It started with a hands-on 2 of mixed methods. seminar for teachers, where day workshop, which included Bjoern presented work carried participants’ own development During the rest of the week out jointly with Sara in Zambia of research designs along Sara and her colleagues (The OER4Schools Professional

13 University Challenge ‘76

As remembered by Jane Murphy MCR President 1975/1976, with reminiscences (italics) from Mike Metherell, a member of the Hughes Hall team

As MCR President in 1975, one of my first tasks was to sift through a mass of unopened correspondence identifying anything important. One letter stood out: an invitation for Hughes Hall to participate in University Challenge! We were very close to the acceptance deadline, so with haste I called everyone together and said that we needed to act swiftly to secure our place.

I accepted immediately, worrying later about who would be in the team. As with anything one tries to organise requiring volunteers, a large number of people said, Mick Perry; Martin Janes and at the start of the first term. It someone, as if in an Ealing ‘Great, go for it!’ but only a Sheila Tidd-Pratt. What a relief was he and I who went on a Comedy. However as we filed tiny number actually wanted it was to send off their names reconnaissance and discovered from our coach, we overheard to be involved. The general and not have to include mine! that there was no College bar a rival student hiss to a friend, consensus was that as student Granada TV informed us that, on and he and I who decided to fix ‘Oh NO, it’s CAMBRIDGE!!’ president I had to be, but I The Big Day, 23 January 1976, a that problem PDQ. from that moment we walked pointed out that my brain is not coach would be sent to pick up tall. ‘After a briefing from the efficient in quick fire situations, supporters, arriving at Hughes I had learned early on that production staff and lunch in however if push came to shove, at an ungodly hour to get us to if you wanted to get ahead the canteen, where the actor I would do it if we could not Manchester. ‘The team members in Cambridge then sherry Philip Madoc was queuing with otherwise find enough folk to travelled separately by train to drinking was crucial, especially a tray, the teams rehearsed, with field a team. Manchester and in reception in supervisions where kindly the producer asking questions. at Granada Studios I spotted tutors always had bottles of the Bamber Gascoigne did not show The same people who offered to Coronation Street’s Ann Kirkbride.’ ‘universal panacea’ available, up till the actual recording which be in the play that Sheila Tidd- so it was the obvious choice took place later. He changed his Pratt and I co-wrote, ‘Darling I Travelling with me on the coach of beverage en route to the shirt and tie for each round to Love You Terribly’, who would were: my fiancé, Peter, whom I television studio. look as if it was taking place at always be there to help with married as soon as I left Hughes a different time, but successful anything and everything, were and Tony, Sheila’s undergraduate When we pulled into the teams completing three rounds, also the students who were boyfriend from Emmanuel. Granada car park we spotted could apparently appear on sweet talked into becoming The Another significant person was a coach from Oxford. Our TV three weeks running in the Hughes Team: Mike Metherell; Joe Nutman whom I had met spirits sank. ‘That’s torn it!’ said same clothes.’

14 FAR LEFT University Challenge – Hughes Team

LEFT En route to the TV studio

ABOVE Bamber Gascoigne, the original quizmaster

Peter with his Asahi Pentax needed on set! At that point We treated the team like the captain of the Emmanuel SLR camera, (serious kit back in Hughes had none of the heroes they were, nevertheless College University Challenge the day) planned to infiltrate above so we knew that this and returned to College proud team that made the semi-final the studio floor taking many was something else that had to have been part of an iconic this year, which according epic shots. Sadly this idea to be addressed immediately TV moment. We were the first to the BBC was “the greatest was thwarted by a fierce floor when we returned to Hughes team ever to have face-off of all time”. He has manager who informed him Cambridge. The famous, competed in the show and been involved in running the that all shots in the studio were and much admired scarf we assumed that over the University Challenge trials absolutely forbidden. He did, of today was the result, co- years many other teams would for Hughes for the past two however, manage one photo designed by me and a couple follow, casually wearing their years. This year our College of Bamber Gascoigne when of other students. newly designed scarves and team were invited for the BBC their backs were turned! flying the flag for what we all auditions, but sadly didn’t Our team members were all know is the very best College make the TV recordings. Bobby ‘The University Challenge set exceptionally nervous and of all. commented: “We at Hughes was squeezed into a narrow feeling faint in the heat from are one of the only Oxbridge space next to the standing set the lights. Pitched against Imagine my disappointment Colleges not to have been for the daytime drama, ‘Crown Lampeter, this was better than when decades later I was told selected in the Paxman era Court’ (1972-1984). Bamber’s the Oxford option. ‘At one point that there had been no other since 1994 and the producers desk and the manually operated Hughes Hall seemed to have 900 Hughes teams, in all those years, say that they are keen to get score board were at the far end. points, the highest score ever none at all. I have no idea why, these Colleges on the show. The team desks stood side by recorded, but sadly this was a but I hope this omission will be So if we can produce a good side with a camera pointing mistake and the person changing rectified before long. My word enough team, I believe that we at each, and between those the numbers had messed up!’ did we cheer for our team in will get selected. We may have an announcer, with a lip mike, However, sadly nerves claimed ‘76 and to this day I am deeply some hidden Eric Monkman’s crouched in a black curtained our gallant team and despite a proud of their heroic failure! at Hughes!” booth ready to say, ‘Hughes Hall, brave showing we were beaten, Metherell,’ if you buzzed...and yes, ending our short moment in I got a starter!’ the spotlight. ‘Lampeter were Hughes alumnus Bobby Seagull knocked out in the next round by (PGCE 2014 Mathematics) is on We were asked for our College Oxford who went on to be that the case. Now a PhD student scarf; crest and mascot, all year’s champions I believe.’ at Emmanuel College he was

15

ALUMNI NEWS Updates from some of our 6500 alumni around the world

PUBLICATIONS/ACADEMIA Martin Mak, accountancy networks. Marco Fenner’s and Hughes Hall are MPhil (2010) Education is excited to be taking up his still very close to Shah’s heart Jian Wei Aw, BA (2015) Law Education alumnus Martin Mak new position and looks forward and he would be interested Jian Wei has received the has recently co-authored the to working with member firms to hear about any prior or Distinction award in the Cambridge IGCSE; Mandarin as a on the next phase of HLB subsequent first class cricketers recent 2016 Singapore Bar Foreign Language course book. International’s development. from Hughes Hall. Examinations for outstanding The textbook, which helps performance in the subject of students develop language Family Law Practice. The award skills, is available through recognises the top performers Cambridge University Press. in the Bar Examinations, and is awarded only to a select handful of candidates who have demonstrated exceptional talent in the respective subjects Luka Radovic, MEd (2007) tested in the Bar Examinations. Education Since graduating from Hughes Faran Mahmood, MPhil (2012) Hall with a PGCE in 2006 and Engineering a Master of Education in 2010, A project management Luka has taught Mathematics at practitioner by training, Faran is several top secondary schools, working as a Country Fellow for both in the UK and around the DFID and USAID-funded Making Naomi McGovern, PhD (2006) world. He has now launched his All Voices Count Programme Medical Sciences own tutoring company, Tesla where he led his team to roll- Naomi McGovern has recently out a tech4gov based solution Megha Agrawal, PhD (2011) Tutors. For more information returned to Cambridge on for electoral accountability in Engineering visit www.teslatutors.com. a Sir Henry Dale Fellowship, Pakistan. He is also engaged Megha is currently a Research awarded by the Royal Society as a strategy consultant for Fellow at Imperial College and Wellcome Trust. Naomi is the USAID’s olive valley project London, and was recently working in the Department which aims to attract million- selected as the youngest and of Pathology, furthering her dollar investments in the only female mentor invited to research on a specialised type of olive sector. He works as an speak at the ‘INSPIRE’ program macrophage, called a Hofbauer infrastructure expert for the daily -offered by the Department cell. This is the first immune cell Express Tribune (local partner of Society and Technology type to appear on the foetal side of Intl NY Times) and is a regular at the Pt. Ravishankar Shukla of the placental barrier during critic of the $62B China-Pakistan University in India. Addressing Shah Siddiqi, MB BChir embryonic development, Economic Corridor initiative. His the students at the concluding (1982) Clinical Medicine when it is thought to have an published work can be accessed session, Megha advocated for Shah came to Hughes Hall after important role in protection at: http://tribune.com.pk/ more young school children to preclinical studies at St. Bart’s against transplacental infection. author/5570/faran-mahmood. pursue STEM subjects and was and relished the opportunity honoured to be standing on to play first class cricket at Arunima Takiar, MPhil (2000) the podium as their role model. Cambridge University. After Economics BUSINESS medical school, Shah embarked Arunima has recently started on a Neurosurgery residency her own business called What’s Marco Donzelli, MBA (2009) and Spine surgery fellowship at The Best Word, which is a writing, Business Administration the University of Toronto and editing and proofreading outfit. Marco was recently appointed today runs a busy practice as Arunima is also an avid writer as CEO of HLB International, an Assistant Professor of Clinical and frequently composes her one of the leading global Neurosurgery in Houston. own poetry.

16

Jeffrey Glover, MPhil (1980) GENERAL 30 refugee families to their Knight Journalism Fellow at International Law community per year starting Stanford University. She will join Jeffrey is now based in Santa Dave Hemsley, PGCE (2002) in September 2017. You can the university in September and Monica, California, where he Physics find and follow WV Interfaith research strategies to improve established the worldwide After being hours away from Refugee Ministry on Facebook. reporting during public health legal practice WaveCrestLaw dying from pneumococcal crises such as epidemics. & Consultancy. The practice, meningitis in August 2015, a Seema Yasmin, CGCM (2005) which specialises in Media and couple of days in an induced Medical Sciences Entertainment law, was recently coma, a week in intensive care Seema trained in journalism awarded two prestigious and then a long rehabilitation at the University of Toronto in WEDDINGS AND LA 2017 Awards from the Los he’s now back working as Head 2013 after serving as an officer ENGAGEMENTS Angeles Awards Committee of Science in a school. More in the US Epidemic Intelligence Julia Hughes, PGCE (2007) and is on the cutting edge of importantly, he has decided Service where she investigated Geography New Tech, having acquired to push his fitness to prepare disease outbreaks. She joined Julia currently works at clients such as Hyperloop for a world first White Collar the Dallas Morning News in Westminster School as Head Transportation Technologies and Wrestling event with Preston 2014 covering Ebola, Zika and of Geography. She and her Ceres Inc. City Wrestling in November other epidemics. Her reporting 2017 for charity. He will perform has earned her an Emmy award husband Douglas Foster were Hugo García Larriva, LLM against a professional wrestler as well as accolades from the married in the Lady Chapel, (2013) Law and already lost 2.5 stone. His Center for Health Journalism Westminster Abbey on Hugo has been appointed as advice? Live life! and the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Saturday 22nd October. Julia ICC YAF (International Chamber Reporting. Yasmin has recently has kept her own name – once of Commerce Young Arbitrators been selected as a John S. a Hughes, always a Hughes! Forum) Representative for Ecuador, Latin America. The Court of International Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce is the biggest and most prestigious Arbitration Centre worldwide. More information: https://iccwbo.org/ Lynn Clarke, MSt (2006) media-wall/news-speeches/ Jewish Christian Relations icc-announces-new-young- Lynn serves as the volunteer arbitrators-forum-regional- President of the West Virginia representatives/ Interfaith Refugee Ministry. This is an organisation of community leaders of many ARTS faiths, including Christians, Jews, Muslims and Unitarians, Philip Massey, PGCE (1991) all working together, to English assist Episcopal Migration Last year Philip played Pontus Ministries (part of the Episcopal Pilate in the 2016 York mystery Church USA) and the West plays in the Minster, amassing Virginia Episcopal Diocese as a staggering 41, four-hour they partner to open a new performances in 6 weeks, refugee resettlement office for which he received 4 stars in Charleston, West Virginia, from both the Observer and USA. The Ministry expects the Guardian. to welcome approximately

17 WE PAY TRIBUTE…

Professor Sir Peter Mansfield, Nobel Prize winner and Honorary Fellow of Hughes Hall Passed away on 8 February 2017, aged 83

Having left school at the age hours and generating much of 15 without qualification, clearer images. Sir Peter Mansfield FRS was a champion of adult access to In 1978, Sir Peter ignored education, which Hughes Hall warnings he could be putting shares through its commitment himself in danger and became to mature student entry the first person to step inside a for Cambridge Tripos study. whole-body MRI scanner so that Graduating at the age of 26 it could be tested on a human. after taking A-levels at night school, he pursued research Professor of Physics at the in spectrometry, developing University of Nottingham, he the MRI scanner as a tool for was knighted in 1993 and won body imaging. the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 2003. In April 2005, he MRI scans generate 3D images formally inaugurated Hughes of the body’s internal organs Hall’s new Fenner’s Building, as without potentially harmful the inscription in the Fenner’s X-rays by utilising strong entrance hall records. at 15, his academic career miss him, but remember the magnetic fields and radio culminated in the Nobel Prize. legacy he has left the world.” waves. Sir Peter was credited Dr Anthony Freeling, Hughes He was a loyal member of with further developing the Hall President commented “If the Fellowship, coming to technology, showing it can be ever there were a role model our Commemoration Dinner mathematically analysed and for mature undergraduates, last year, even though he was interpreted, creating scans that it is Sir Peter. From failing his already frail, as he had done to take seconds as opposed to 11-plus and leaving school many previous ones. We shall

Dan Vickerman, notable alumnus and rugby great Passed away on 18 February 2017, aged 37

Born in South Africa, Dan small year group, many ’08 send their thoughts and Vickerman moved to Australia of us had the pleasure of condolences to his family”. at age 21 and went on to make working with Dan in tutorials or 63 test appearances for his during group work, benefitting Dan captained Cambridge adopted nation. from his thoughtfulness, University Rugby Union humour and leadership no Football Club (CURUFC) in 2008 Dan studied Land Economy doubt drawn from his time and 2009 and was described at Hughes Hall in 2008 and it on the rugby pitch and on CURUFC’s website as “an was here that he became gracefully brought into our uncompromising and inspiring a part of a small tight-knit department in Mill Lane. leader, who was absolutely community. The Land Economy He shall be missed, and his central to the 2009 Varsity Class of 2008 commented: “As a fellow Land Economists of Match success”.

18 Richard Berg Rust – Development Director, Fellow, friend to all The College’s Development Director, Richard Berg Rust sadly passed away on 11 April 2017, aged 54

All who knew Richard will have Northumbrian Association, to culture and set up the Northern basked in his zest for life. His which he was appointed first Literature and Culture Lecture creativity and drive transformed Chairman in 1997. series which hosted Dr Richard the development and Gravil reflecting on ‘Where communications activities of the Before joining Hughes Hall in was Wordsworthshire?’, Terry College during the nearly four 2013, Richard held the joint roles Eagleton on Trevor Griffith’s years he worked at Hughes. of Development Director at 1975 play ‘The Comedians’, the Theatre Royal and at Dame and Professor Stephen Regan Following an MA in Politics at Allan’s Schools in his home city reflecting on Basil Bunting and Durham University, Richard of Newcastle upon Tyne. his greatest poem ‘Briggflatts’. began his career in public relations and marketing, before Richard was a key driver in One of his legacies is the his appointment as Director of the fundraising for the many re-designed version of this Fundraising and Public Relations developments that make magazine, which he was Editor at Cambridge University Hughes the College it is today. of for three years. He believed it Veterinary School (1990). Here, Gresham Court stands as a was an important tool to bring in the early days of University practical remembrance of his a piece of ‘Hughes’ to our many fundraising, he led the £1m efforts and the symbolic gates College members who are campaign to build a new Animal and bike-store screens reflect his spread out over 116 nations. Cancer Treatment Unit, and vision of Hughes, to be visible then went on to direct a variety and welcoming to all who are Richard was an integral member of development and cultural interested in the College. of the Hughes community and campaigns, including those of a friend to so many Students, the Peninsula Medical School Also during his time at Hughes, Senior Members, Alumni, Donors, Foundation (Exeter University), Richard maintained his interest Visitors and Staff. He will be Beamish Museum and the in Northern English history and dearly missed.

Roy Helmore CBE, Life Fellow and staunch supporter of the College Passed away on 11 May 2017, aged 90

Roy Helmore was Principal of President at the time, Desmond During his time at Hughes Cambridge College of Arts and Hawkins, and the Vice- he was the Chair of the Technology (CCAT) from 1977 President, Howard Bradley. Library Committee and the to 1986, a forerunner of what is Gardens Committee. Roy, now Anglia Ruskin University. They were engaged in together with a group of Roy fought tirelessly to expanding the College and in Fellows reshaped the gardens establish and defend CCAT as a convincing the University that around the old buildings recognised provider of Higher it was worthy of full College to create a garden where Education services and in 1980 status. He was an extremely students could study quietly was honoured with a CBE. The popular Fellow, who worked or enjoy a celebration together Helmore Building, which sits at hard to present careful surrounded by greenery the very heart of its Cambridge argument and provide sound and blossom. campus, is named after him. advice to the Fellowship at the time, and was instrumental In 1994 Roy became a Life In 1982 he became a Fellow in making sure the College Fellow of Hughes Hall, and in Roy was, among his many of Hughes Hall and was moved forward at a tricky time 2008 became an Honorary talents, a very talented an immense help to the for Hughes. Fellow of Anglia Ruskin. water-colourist.

19 SPORT Acknowledging our sporting achievements

It has been another – fencing; Justas Dauparas tremendously successful year for – atheletics, javelin throwing; sports at Hughes. We celebrated John Glasgow – equestrian; the achievements of our many Jessica Hunt – basketball; Lucy sportsmen and women with Miller – fencing and Lance a special Sports and Societies Tredell – rowing. dinner on Friday 5th May. Hughesians also excelled at This year, eight Hughesians both University and College received Hawks’ Club Awards. level in a variety of sports. The Extremely prestigious, the President said at the Sports Hawks’ Award scheme and Societies Dinner: “All who acknowledges academic as compete at a high level in well as sporting excellence any sport at Cambridge are and is normally given to sports demonstrating their ability to men and women who have achieve both academically and competed for the University in another field at the same Left to right: Ben Ruble, Lance Tredell, James Letten, Patrick Eble and in sports eligible for Blues time. This multi-tasking is deeply and Henry Meek and Half-Blues. The Hughesians impressive and something that are Thorbjorg Agustsdottir a future employer will value This year we continued our distinguished – fencing; Jodie Chalmers – exceptionally highly. Hughes tradition of a great representation in the dancesport; Alisha Cramer Hall congratulates you all.” Varsity Boat Race, with five Hughesians in the Men’s crew Racing ahead rowing from the Cambridge Cambridge Yacht Racing Team wins Varsity Trophy Crowds lined the Thames on 2 April as Cambridge went crew with our men making The Cambridge Yacht Racing and managed to secure the head to head with Oxford for great strides to keep up with Team, including two Hughesians victory to become the 2017 the 163rd Boat Race. This year, the Oxford crew that consisted Alex Randall (Tactics and Varsity Yacht Race Champions. five Hughesians were in the of three Olympians and started Navigation) and Svyatoslav Alex commented: “I am Men’s crew and the excitement the race as favourites. Kechyn (Main) have won back incredibly proud of our team on the banks, at Hughes and the trophy from Oxford this year this year. Each and every team around the world was electric. Despite an incredible fight with a win in April. The team, member gave it 110%, and in Ben Ruble (Bow), James Letten throughout the race by our captained by Hughesian Alex such a tight regatta, that extra (3), Patrick Eble (6), Lance Tredell Cambridge crew, Oxford Randall raced out of Portsmouth 10% made all of the difference.” (7, CUBC President) and Henry managed to cross the finish Meek (Stroke) made up more line ahead of Cambridge by a than half of the Cambridge quarter length (4 seconds). blue boat. We followed their progress during the lead up to We are so proud of our the race and heard from Lance Hughesians and the Cambridge on his pre-race thoughts in our crew for their tremendous effort. Humans of Hughes Hall feature (@hugheshallcam on Instagram).

On race day, both Oxford and Cambridge had a good start and rowed consistently throughout the race. We saw some strong

20 A year in review: Peta Blundell (MCR President 2016/17) perfectly sums up College Life

During our matriculation While we still can’t start early dinners, our President Anthony enough to catch the PGCEs or Freeling chooses a theme that Medics before they dash off he thinks is topical and relevant to placements, for those of us to the diversity of subjects that who ‘only’ have 9am lectures, Hughes students pursue. When breakfast at Hall has been a I arrived, the subject was Big much-loved addition to College Data. I couldn’t help feeling a life. We really are spoilt, with a little sceptical – it sounded too mouth-watering selection of idealistic, too structured to think smoked salmon and poached that it would happen across eggs on sourdough, freshly a group of Hughes students baked pastries and homemade who would each want to sit yoghurt as regular features on down and consider the legal, the menu. In the spring, the business, educational, medical, view from Hall to our superb or sociological perspectives on new accommodation block, the topic. And yet a year later, we Gresham Court, is broken only found ourselves doing exactly by the flash of white and red of that. We – an Australian law cricketers bowling on Fenner’s. student, an American studying European politics, an English Throughout the day of lab work French teacher, a Canadian or lectures, the College bustles. Engineer, and an Indian studying With the library window open, English Literature – spent you can frequently hear the Thanksgiving spontaneously tinkling of a piano or the sigh of debating the implications of Big an erg (or even both at once). Data on our privacy well into the The Pfeiffer room transforms by night. But really, that was just the hour – a staff tea switches a typical Thursday evening at into a supervision, a business Hughes Hall. group project becomes a Peta Blundell (right) hands over to incoming MCR President Harry board game evening, an Holkham at a special handover hall in April What then, would a typical MCR meeting melds into a day look like? It starts early – in movie night. Tea and Cakes is the winter, well before sunrise still firmly entrenched in the (Charnley Law, Boat Club, with and serve each other – – with our sports men and rhythm of the College – so Zimmern Medical…), which sometimes literally, when the women rising for training. The much so, that a Fresher has are such lovely opportunities catering staff who have served early starts have certainly paid insisted Sunday be renamed to welcome alumni and guests students dinner then come to off. Of nine men representing ‘Cake-day’. back to Hughes. But this year, a bop, and are served by those Cambridge in the Boat Race, the LGBT formal was easily the same students working behind five were from Hughes. The By evening, it is time to dress highlight. Technically, we are the bar. I cherish my time at winning try-scorer at Varsity up for Formal. In previous years, mature students, but a Harry Hughes as a student, and look Rugby, the captain of the I have struggled to choose a Potter theme was truly magical forward to our reunions as victorious sailing team, fencers, favourite themed event, as for those of us still kids at heart! alumni – wherever in the world dancers, footballers… all were the College puts on a fantastic they may be! Hughesians. At the college spread for St Patrick’s Day, These evenings illustrate that level, the netball team moved Burns Night and Halloween, Hughes truly is a community, up a division, and rowers won to name but a few. Then and one that I’m immensely Peta Blundell the Michell Cup. there are the annual dinners proud to be a part of. We work MCR President 2016/17

21 Emily Jane Pfeiffer (née Davis) 1827-1890, poet

The Oxford Dictionary of National Biography pays tribute to individuals who have ‘shaped British history and culture’. Emily Pfeiffer, one of Hughes Hall’s earliest benefactors, is among those celebrated but it is as poet rather than philanthropist that she achieves the accolade of a personal entry in ODNB.

Encouraged by her father – and notwithstanding restricted formal education or straitened She conceived circumstances – she published herself as bard, or her first book of poems in “ socio-cultural prophet, 1842, aged fifteen, followed by eight further volumes her poetry, even between 1870 and 1890. A the sacred sonnets, copy of a collected edition as instrument of prepared by her husband protest against female was presented to Cambridge disempowerment. University Library in 1880. Keen to publicise her poems and their dominant theme, she She conceived herself as bard, also published in periodicals, or socio-cultural prophet, mainly Contemporary Review her poetry, even the sacred and Spectator. The sonnets, sonnets, as instrument especially, were generally well of protest against female received by the contemporary disempowerment. However, intellectual elite, including all is not ‘dark night’. Amidst poet and critic Algernon the ‘hapless hostages’ Swinburne. Reviewers blighted by ignorance and praised her for expressing the ‘sin foredoomed’, star-like, ‘evolutional idea’ and ‘grappling women begin emerging – and with speculations of modern not just her famed literary science’, as in the surprisingly ‘sisters’ eulogized in individual modern sonnet Broken Speech: sonnets. Emily advocated Emily Pfeiffer, etching by Seopold Sowenstam, 1881. Frontispiece, in freedom for women of all social Emily Pfeiffer, Under the Aspens: Lyrical and Dramatic (London: Kegan Words, pregnant words, but classes and in all aspects of Paul, Trench, & Co., 1882). Classmark: XIX.50.90. Reproduced by kind only parts of speech life. In her essay, Women and permission of the Syndics of Cambridge University Library As yet, curt utterance such as Work (1888), she bases her children use, case on six months’ research one of our College’s first wealth (£60,000) ‘for charitable With meanings struggling of medical and pedagogical lecturers, and other leading and educational purposes in through but to confuse, evidence and argues pro and educationalists involved favour of women’. Their equal And hinted signs which soar contra female equality while in planning and founding partnership in philanthropy and beyond our reach. specifically de-bunking taboos Hughes, primarily, Misses Beale furthering the social position of about intellectual exertion and Buss and Miss Clough, women is recorded in the brass Occasional negative criticism producing over-pressure, principal of Newnham. And plaque in the Wileman Building, tended to focus on the opinion nervous fatigue and infertility fortunately, Emily’s husband, the building they helped fund. that the occupation of poet in females – sometimes wryly, Jürgen Edward Pfeiffer, London is ‘unwomanly’, a viewpoint as when charging ‘hierophants’ tea merchant and briefly typical of those targeted by with ‘keeping women pot- mentioned in Emily’s ODNB Jean Lambert Fellow Emily’s poetic mission: to bound’. Interestingly for us, she entry, shared her commitment, promote female emancipation. consulted Dr Sophie Bryant, bequeathing most of his

22 A unique and special Hughes Hall Generous gifts from Keith McVeigh

For the past twelve years in the upper library. The plaque Hughes Hall Fellow Keith states that this is given to McVeigh has contributed honour Frank’s memory. to the aesthetics of the College, ensuring residents Albert Irvin’s screenprints and visitors leave with a (Star I and Star II) which hang lasting impression. outside the library in the Pavilion Atrium were donated Keith started to donate in 2014 and recently an oil by Quinlan Terry’s linocut ‘Kingswalden Bury’ paintings to Hughes Hall in Elinor Bellingam-Smith ‘Essex 2005 when he presented Roadside’ was presented in Quinlan Terry’s linocut 2016 to hang in Gresham Court. their teak benches and the long the various buildings. I wanted ‘Kingswalden Bury’ which walk behind the Pavilion which to contribute something that hangs at the end of the Peter Keith has also made notable is now a haven for birds and can be overlooked sometimes Richard’s Room. contributions to our College bees from spring to autumn. as we strive to increase our gardens which can be seen in endowment to provide more In 2009, as a tribute to his Chancellor’s Court (originally an Keith commented: “The accommodation and bursaries friend and law colleague, Frank orchard) and most recently in gardens are the first impression for our students. Something Dawson (Fellow 1986-2007), both the Fenner’s border which visitors and members have extra that will provide a fully he donated the wash and line he landscaped (and to which when approaching the College rounded College experience drawing of Dorelia John [c.1907] he donated the shrubs) and, and paintings stimulate the eye and mark Hughes Hall as rather by Augustus John which hangs latterly, the gravel garden with as one moves around inside unique and special”.

THE HUGHES HALL GARDEN VIBURNUM OPULUS ROSEUM ‘SNOWBALL’

This grows well in humus-rich, about 3” - 4” in width which last and 8’ wide but the minimum well drained soils as here in from 3 to 5 weeks. The fresh should be 6’ tall and 5’ wide the Lime tree walk behind green leaves become reddish to ensure blooms. Wait until the Pavilion Room and is a in Autumn and may be affected the flowers have faded and celebration of Spring. It is by a leaf spot. prune in early summer. Cut a large, popular, deciduous the branch below the bloom specimen shrub that blooms in These ornamental blooms to 1/4” above a pair of leaves. May and June. It is probably the are very showy and can be cut At the same time, it is wise oldest known garden Viburnum for display lasting remarkably to thin out the centre of the since it was recorded in the long indoors. shrub which will improve the 16th century as ‘Sambucus air circulation. Remove suckers Rose’ and it is also called the This large, bushy shrub is a and any dead leaves from Guelder Rose, after its origins in hardy perennial and can be around the base whenever they Gelderland, Netherlands. pruned or left to mature. It has appear throughout the year. occasional pruning and this a spreading growth habit and, If the bush becomes scraggly will benefit their shape and The branches of this vigorous if left unpruned, this Viburnum with age, it can be pruned stimulate foliage’. shrub are covered with large will grow to a height of 15’ back to 6” from the ground snowball-like groups of white and a spread of 15’ to provide but limit this radical treatment or pale green sterile flowers in profuse flowering. However, to no more than once every 5 Keith McVeigh dense, rounded double clusters it is usual to prune to 6’ tall years. They respond best with Fellow

23 Memories created at Hughes Hall are not only for those currently studying but also for those who choose to celebrate those important milestones with us, whether it be a wedding, birthday, reunion or conference. To discuss any event you would like to host at Hughes Hall, please contact our Conference Team on 01223 330 484 or email us at [email protected]

UPCOMING EVENTS

Alumni Summer Garden Party Alumni Weekend Event 24 June 2017 23 September 2017

Oxford and Cambridge Club Reception Oracy Conference 27 July 2017 7 October 2017

Ogden Dinner Zimmern Lecture and Dinner 15 September 2017 23 November 2017

Development & Alumni CONNECT WITH HUGHES Relations Office Hughes Hall FOR ALL THE LATEST NEWS AND VIEWS University of Cambridge Cambridge CB1 2EW fli i)

Tel: +44 (0) 1223 334895

Fax: +44 (0) 1223 331179 EDITOR: AGNETTA LAZARUS, IN MEMORY OF RICHARD BERG RUST [email protected] DESIGN & PRODUCTION: CANTELLDAY.CO.UK