M A G A Z I N E
Issue 5,
March 2016
ST MARY’S| FRIENDS MAGAZINE
Contents Welcome
Team Mary’s
Events
Reunion Review
Durham News
Mary’s in London
Palatinalps
The Boughton Wing
Theatre Review
Mary’s Memories
A Fresh Perspective
7 Decades a Marian
Changing Seasons
Introductions
Support Mary’s
4-9
10-13
14-17
18-19
20-23
24-25
26-27
28-29
30-31
32-33
34-37
38-39
40-43
44-45
46-47
CONTENTS
ST MARY’S| FRIENDS MAGAZINE
Principal’s Welcome | Professor Simon Hackett
I am very pleased to have the
opportunity to introduce our
latest Friends’ Magazine. The
term is now in full swing and students
and staff alike are enjoying the many and
varied events that make up life in St
Mary’s: music, drama, sport, guest
lectures and an art exhibition. I recently
attended a brilliant performance
of “Carmen” at the Gala Theatre in
Durham by the Durham University Opera
Ensemble, where the roles of Carmen
and Don José were played to great
acclaim by St Mary’s students, Sophia
Smith Galer and Phil Durrant. Later this
term we will be hosting an art exhibition
by contemporary artist Tracy Levine,
whose work will be on display from 12th
to 24th March in the Kenworthy Hall.
As always, we are very grateful for the
efforts made on behalf of St Mary’s by
Friends of the College and I offer thanks
to all of those to have donated books to
the College Library or supported our
students in any way.
A particular highlight this term, and one
in which I hope many of you will
participate, is the Friends’ and Parents’
Formal organised for Friday, 18th
March. I am looking forward to meeting
many Friends of the College at this event.
Once again, thank you for your continued
interest in St Mary’s and our
community. I hope you will enjoy
reading our latest news and that you will
be able to join us at some of our events
in the coming months. Hannah Mills, our
Sabbatical Development Officer, will
keep you informed. You might like to
“save the date” for an outdoor theatre
performance by ‘Illyria’ on the evening of
Friday 10th June of Roald Dahl’s “Danny
the Champion of the World” which we
are told will be suitable for children of all
ages!
‘I hope you will enjoy reading our latest
news and that you will be able to join us at
some of our events in the coming months’
4
WELCOME
‘I hope you will enjoy reading our latest
news and that you will be able to join us at
some of our events in the coming months’
ST MARY’S| FRIENDS MAGAZINE
It seems like just yesterday that we
were welcoming all of our freshers and
families into college. Both Sam Bentwood and
Jason Kwan’s frep teams did a fantastic job and
helped to make this potentially the most
successful week to date. Our College freshers’
video, expertly put together by Rebecca Daniel
and Duncan Wooder, was simply fantastic.
After the excitement of introductory talks and
College matriculation it was time for many new
students to experience Durham for the first time.
The week continued with events such as the grub
crawl, a bowling trip and the Durham Mile, all of
which proved hugely popular. The first Live
Lounge of the year was wonderful as always, and
brave fresher Eliza Asare Parbi made sure it
ended on a high note with a breath-taking final
performance.
Post-induction week, the events kept coming.
The costume competition at the Hallowe’en
Informal was as strong as ever - see the events
review for pictures! This was followed by a very
successful Michaelmas Dinner organised by Paige
Valerie Hickson, in support of the local charity
Moving On. Both the dinner and the ceilidh were
great fun and £185.68 was raised to help tackle
youth homelessness.
Next up in Michaelmas term was the Animal
Kingdom Informal Ball. The entertainment on the
night was tailored to the theme and included a
rodeo bull, live animals and the traditional photo
-booth. As luck would have it, the Ball fell on
Simon Hackett’s birthday and he celebrated in
true Mary’s style - dressed as a giant meerkat. A
massive thankyou to Saoirse Ward and Nina
Mandziuk and their committee for the hard work
they put in behind the scenes to deliver another
fantastic event for the JCR. Finally, term was
rounded off with two Christmas formals
subsidised by JCR levies, meaning that everyone
had an opportunity to go to their favourite
The President’s Review| Rebecca Hunt, JCR President
6
WELCOME
formal and sing along to the Durham version of 12
days of Christmas.
This year saw the launch of our new brand Team
Mary’s - A term that brings together all of the
sports clubs at St Mary’s and allows us to
showcase the talent that we have to offer. The
launch night was a triumph, with the Men’s A
football team defeating league title holders Hild
Bede A 2-1. This year has also seen the
introduction of a fourth Netball Team and a
second Frisbee team, both of which are
competing well in their respective leagues. In the
arts world, Kirsten Pal has been running drawing
lessons weekly and we have had three very
successful live lounges (during one of which I
made my first – and last – ever performance). This
year’s pantomime was Shrek the Panto, directed
by Luke Wagner. It was potentially the funniest to
date and made an incredible amount of money.
Michaelmas term also saw the first old boys’
weekend of many, with alumni from the Men’s
Football Club paying a visit to Durham. Our
University Challenge team, managed by Elliot Fox,
were runners up in the University Challenge, an
absolutely fantastic achievement. In JCR news, we
have introduced two new exec positions - the
Societies and Community Officers - promoted
Sport Officer and Arts President to the core
executive committee, introduced brunch on
alternating Sundays, set up a Beekeeping Society
and have started to refurbish both the basement
area and the JCR.
The rest of the year is looking to be just as busy
with balls, fashion shows and sports fixtures
galore, so I’m sure I’ll have much to report in the
next issue!
The President’s Review|
‘I could not be more proud to
be President of such an amazing
college and I can’t wait to see
what the rest of the year has in
store’
7
ST MARY’S| FRIENDS MAGAZINE
Hello and welcome to the 5th edition
of the St Mary’s College Friends
Magazine!
My first few months as your Alumni Relations and
Development Officer have been really exciting on
both a personal and professional level. As a
Marian myself, I was delighted to graduate from
Durham University in January and officially
become an alumna. Despite the winter chill, the
cathedral looked glorious in the sunshine and it
truly was one of the highlights of my time here. It
was also a joy to see other Marians graduating,
and we were happy to be able to celebrate
with them at our winter graduation dinner here
at Mary’s. In September I was fortunate enough
to attend the annual St Mary’s College Society
Reunion, and spent the evening swapping stories
with alumni spanning several decades. It really is
a privilege to meet and speak with so many
wonderful people, and it’s clear that the Mary’s
spirit never leaves you no matter how long you’ve
been away.
We were absolutely thrilled to see so many of you
at our London Christmas Drinks Evening at the
Old Bank of England last year (read more on page
24). It was a fabulous festive evening and a lovely
opportunity to meet Marians from years past –
some guests stopped for a quick post-work catch
up, whilst a few dedicated groups chatted away
until closing time. If you weren’t able to make it,
we have lots of exciting events coming up this
year. Keep your eyes peeled for details of our
next alumni meet-up, which will be held in Leeds.
I’m also very excited to meet many new and old
Hannah Mills | Alumni & Development Officer
‘It really is a privilege to
meet and speak with so
many wonderful people’
8
UPDATES
Hannah Mills | Alumni & Development Officer
Friends of St Mary’s at out formal on Friday 18th
of March. Alumni, be sure to take note of a
couple of key dates later this year; Mary’s Day
will be held on Sunday 19th of June and the 2016
Reunion will be from Friday 16th to Sunday 18th of
September. If you would like to return to college
in the meantime, please get in touch with me so
we can arrange your visit.
This edition of the Friends Magazine is a
collection of articles from both current students
and alumni, to give you a glimpse of life at Mary’s
both now and in the past. If you would like to
contribute an article to the next edition of the
Friends Magazine, have an idea for an event or
just want to reminisce about Mary’s then please
don’t hesitate to get in touch with me at
I look forward to meeting many more of you in
the future and hope that you enjoy this little slice
of Mary’s!
At St Mary’s College we pride ourselves on the strength of our tightly-knit and supportive community.
Many Mary’s students find a second home here and develop a lifelong affiliation with the College. We
understand that parents, guardians, friends and supporters of our students still provide support during
the transition to University life.
We have developed the Friends of St Mary’s programme specifically to provide an opportunity for
parents, supporters and friends of students to feel connected to and keep in touch with college life,
whilst still allowing students their independence. Some of the many benefits of signing up to the free
Friends of St Mary’s programme are outlined below.
Receive our College Magazine
All members of the programme will receive a digital copy of our bi-annual alumni magazine, including
college news, articles written by current and former students and beautiful images from Durham. We
will also send you regular information about upcoming concerts, lectures and events. Members are
also invited to certain college events, such as our annual Carol service here in Durham.
Collection Coffee and Friends’ Formal
Members are invited to join us for coffee on Saturday 25th June, the day after Easter term ends, before
students depart for the summer. This provides students and friends alike with an opportunity to
reflect on the academic year and look forward to the next step. Members are also invited to our annual
Friends’ Formal, held at the end of Epiphany term. term, which provides a fabulous opportunity to
meet other students and friends of the college whilst experiencing a Mary’s formal!
Register free now
Friends of St Mary’s
9
ST MARY’S| FRIENDS MAGAZINE
This year, the sports clubs of St Mary’s
College have been united for the first
time. They have been endowed with a new
identity, one designed to highlight their
achievements, shine a spotlight on their brightest
performers, and unify the student body in support
of their teams. This identity is Team Mary’s, a
new brand and social media entity that has taken
the college and indeed the university by storm.
This is the story of why it was created, how it has
developed and what the future holds for Team
Mary’s.
One of the biggest frustrations for players,
captains and sports officers in years past was the
inability to share their successes with the rest of
the college; stories of amazing goals and
incredible comeback wins rarely percolated
outside of the circle of players involved, and other
than the occasional cup fixture or charity game,
crowds rarely gathered to watch Mary’s teams
play. When I was elected Sports Officer last Easter
I knew that this was a key area for improvement,
but it wasn’t until JCR President Becca Hunt
approached me in the summer with the idea of
creating a College-wide identity that Team Mary’s
really took shape. The first task was to decide
how to get the message out; as the most heavily
used social media sites, Facebook and Twitter
pages were a must if we were to reach as wide an
audience as possible. The weekly JCR emails also
seemed a great way of reaching students, so the
plan to include a fortnightly roundup of match
reports was hatched. To create any strong brand,
visual identity is vital and so creating a
recognisable logo was the next key task. With this
in mind, we worked with a designer to develop a
mark that incorporated elements of the St Mary’s
crest but also showed the qualities of a
professional sports team.
The foundations now in place, the challenge was
to engage students both new and old with Team
Mary’s and bring the College together under this
new sporting banner. Having studied his team’s
early fixtures, SMCFC A-Team captain Rob Wiles
Spotlight on Sport| Jack Tellyn, Sports Officer
10
SPORT
‘Team Mary’s will continue to unite
the sportspeople of St Mary’s
College long into the future’
ST MARY’S| FRIENDS MAGAZINE
had the idea of hosting a “launch night”,
featuring back-to-back football fixtures including
a marquee match for the A’s against a strong Hild
Bede side, followed by a large-scale college
social. The crowds of students and staff grew as
the night progressed and the cheering Marians
were rewarded with two impressive wins for the
boys in purple. That night’s performances set the
tone for the quality of Mary’s sport this season
and other clubs have been quick to raise the bar
even further. St Mary’s women’s hockey have
been among the most impressive teams, winning
8 of their first 10 games thanks in no small part to
the contributions of the new girls in the team, a
record which led to their selection as the Team
Mary’s Team of the Week in December. Another
success story has been SMCNC’s expansion to
four teams thanks to the influx of new players,
whilst St Mary’s Table Tennis club have
dominated the college Premiership this season.
The men’s basketball club have continued their
impressive form of recent years whilst the newly
formed volleyball and women’s futsal sides have
also seen early success.
The continuing development of Durham’s college
sport programme has led to the introduction of
an annual College Varsity event versus the
Mary’s Basketball
Men’s Football Floodlit Cup
‘Participation and
achievement are up across
the board and the future
looks bright for Mary’s’
12
SPORT
colleges of the University of York. The third
such event is being held in February and, for
the first time, Mary’s have been selected to
represent Durham in two sports: tennis and
mixed badminton. This recognition is
representative of the effort and commitment
demonstrated by all Team Mary’s clubs this
year; participation and achievement are up
across the board and the future looks bright for
Mary’s sport.
The success of Team Mary’s has not gone
unnoticed by the rest of Durham, and the
concept received high praise in an article
written for the Palatinate newspaper in
Michaelmas term. Perhaps the greatest sign
that the project has been successful is the
number of other colleges which have replicated
the idea and created sports brands of their
own; Team Hatfield, Team Hild Bede, Team
Mildert and Team Cuth’s can all be found
supporting their respective sports clubs across
the Durham Twitterverse.
With such a strong start, the question that
remains is how can Team Mary’s maintain its
momentum and continue to grow in the
months and years to come? With the
enthusiasm for the idea shown by everyone at
St Mary’s this year, as well as its successes on
the pitch, court and water, I am confident that
Team Mary’s will continue to unite the
sportspeople of St Mary’s College long into the
future.
Follow @SportMarys on twitter for regular
updates on college sport
Mary’s Netball C Team
Mary’s Basketball
Mary’s Women’s Football
13
ST MARY’S| FRIENDS MAGAZINE
Events at St Mary’s | Review by Luke Wagner
After two very successful formals in the first two weeks of term, the Social Committee once again
organised a Hallowe’en Informal. This event always proves incredibly popular, and year after year
students relish the chance to dress up in the scariest – or funniest – outfits they can think of. This year
we had costumes such as marionette dolls, Sims (my personal favourite costume of the night), ‘Guess
Who’ characters, and even two competing groups of ‘undead Teletubbies’! In the end, the prize for best
costume, as decided by Rebecca Hunt and Simon Hackett, went to Calum Johnson, for his beheaded
vampire. After the delicious meal in the Dining Hall, guests were treated to a performance in the bar by
College’s resident band, Basement Jazz. The band played a brilliant set of crowd-pleasers, creating a
really wonderful atmosphere, and a thoroughly enjoyable evening was had by all.
Hallowe’en Informal | 29.10.2015
14
EVENTS
Events at St Mary’s |
As always, Michaelmas Dinner was the first black tie event of the year, once again being highly over-
subscribed. Every year, the JCR Vice President invites a speaker from a charity, either local or national,
and the event raises money in support of this charity. This year, Paige Hickson decided that the event
would be in support of the Durham-based charity, Moving On, and invited the Chair, Nigel Zwanenberg,
to speak to guests. Moving On aims to break the cycle of youth homelessness in County Durham by
providing a range of services including advising young people on their situation regarding housing and
benefits, counselling for those adversely affected by their situation, and legal advice for young people
on establishing their first home. There were donation buckets around the Dining Hall throughout the
night, including a ‘£1 to Pee’ policy, which meant that anyone who wanted to go to the loo had to
donate to the charity. As well as this, we played a game of ‘Heads or Tails’, which involved everyone
paying £1 to play, then standing up and picking heads or tails; a coin was then flipped, and whoever got
it wrong had to sit down.
The event itself began with formal photos whilst a gin and tonic drinks reception was served. The
backdrop for the formal photos was a beautiful galaxy painting, designed by the JCR Arts President,
Kirsten Pal. After this, a delicious three-course meal was served. Whilst the tables in the Dining Hall
were being cleared away, guests we were treated to two stunning performances by first year Eliza Asare
Parbi and fourth year Sophia Smith Galer in the bar. Afterwards, guests thoroughly enjoyed the
traditional ceilidh, which was the perfect end to the evening.
Michaelmas Dinner | 13.11.2015
15
ST MARY’S| FRIENDS MAGAZINE
The theme for this year’s Informal Ball was ‘Animal Kingdom’, with different areas of college being
transformed into animal habitats, including the Arctic, the Savannah, and the ocean. The night began with
a drinks reception, and was followed by a themed three-course meal, with courses such as ‘Lion’s Pride’
and ‘Tapir’s Temptation’. Entertainment began after the meal, and featured such delights as the classic
photo-booth, performances by Mary’s own Dance Troupe, Basement Jazz and a rodeo bull. However, the
highlight of the night had to be the petting zoo. Transforming Kenworthy Hall into an animal-filled
wonderland, everyone who had the chance to see the animals absolutely loved it. With guests dressing up
as different animals, seeing a student dressed as a snake and also holding a snake was interesting to say
the least!
Special thanks must go to Michael MacKenzie and Tim Emkes, the College Social Secretaries, and Saoirse
Ward and Nina Mandziuk, the Social Committee Informal Secretaries.
Animal Kingdom Ball | 27.11.2015
16
EVENTS
Christmas Formals | 10/15.12.2015
The last two weeks of term are always full of Christmas-themed fun, with the pantomime, decorating
the Christmas tree, and Christmas formals all taking place. Due to the overwhelming popularity of last
year’s Christmas formal, this year two were scheduled, and both were quickly filled. Having a gowned
three-course meal in the glow of the newly decorated Christmas tree was a lovely way to end term,
and of course who could forget singing Mary’s own version of ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’. After
the first Christmas formal, guests were invited to a performance by Northern Lights, the Durham
University a cappella group, who sang a medley of Christmas hits. The second formal was followed by
a Christmas Live Lounge, with students signing up to sing Christmas songs such as ‘Fairytale of New
York’, songs from the John Lewis Christmas adverts, and even a rousing rendition of ‘All I Want for
Christmas is You’ by the JCR President (who, by her own admission, is not the most seasoned of
performers).
The Christmas formals were just two of a number of formals we have throughout the year, and special
thanks must again go to Michael MacKenzie and Tim Emkes, the College Social Secretaries, and Erin
Whitehouse and Maddie Smith, the Social Committee Formal Secretaries.
17
ST MARY’S| FRIENDS MAGAZINE
SMCS Reunion in review Beth Rudd, Class of 2015
| Visiting Durham after only a week of
working in the adult world made my
trip feel rather surreal. I felt as if I was still
a student, and was half expecting to start
another term at Mary’s in October as if I’d never
graduated. Sadly, that was not the case.
However, it was wonderful to know that I still
felt at home at Mary’s even after my studies had
come to an end. The ‘2015 Reunion’ was an
enjoyable weekend of celebrations that took
place in September, for alumni of all ages to
return and reminisce about memories from
their time at Mary’s. The weekend was
particularly special for one group of alumni, as it
marked 50 years since their graduation!
Reminiscing began over afternoon tea in the
Calvert Room, followed by a trip to the Oriental
Museum just up the road from College. It was
lovely to meet fellow alumni who had such fond
memories of their time at Mary’s and to hear
how they have continued to feel connected to
the college and still have strong friendships with
their peers many years after graduating. It was
equally a pleasure to hear about the many
different things that people have gone on to do
and succeed in after their time at Durham.
More celebrations were to be had in the
evening, which involved a delicious four course
dinner in the beautifully decorated, candle-lit
Kenworthy Hall. I even met the delightful Joan
Kenworthy herself, who told me about how
when she was at university, women were not to
be seen in the college bars. I distinctly
remember thinking how remarkably different
that sounded and how hard it was to imagine a
university experience without the college bars.
Dinner was followed by a classic ceilidh (they
never fail to disappoint) and plenty of wine and
cheese.
The Reunion Weekend coincided with the St
Mary’s College Society (SMCS) AGM, where I’m
very happy to say I was welcomed on to the
Committee by way of vote after I submitted my
18
|
‘It was wonderful to know
that I still felt at home at
Mary’s even after my
studies had come to an
end’
name for election. SMCS is responsible for
things such as the college book fund, travel
bursaries and subsidising various college
formals. I joined the Committee as I thought it
would be a great way to contribute to college
life, even after graduating. I look forward to my
involvement with SMCS and to visiting Durham
time and time again in the future.
FEATURE
SMCS Reunion 2016
The St Mary’s College Society would like
to invite all members to join them for
this year’s reunion from Friday 16th to
Sunday 18th September.
There will be a full programme of
events for you to enjoy over the
weekend, or you can simply enjoy the
college atmosphere and relax with your
friends, with tea and coffee always
available
Features will include:
Friday - A welcoming reception before
dinner
Saturday - SMCS AGM, chapel service
Saturday Evening - The Official Reunion
Dinner, complete with sparkling
reception
Entertainment this year will be
provided by alumni, so all offers are
welcome!
Two visits are being arranged over the
weekend:
Saturday afternoon - to see the new
Treasures exhibition in the Cathedral
Sunday morning: - to visit Crook Hall, a
wonderful old house and garden with a
lot to see – whatever the weather.
Keep an eye on your emails for more
details and how to book soon!
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ST MARY’S| FRIENDS MAGAZINE
Durham News |
NEWS
Durham News |
Business School Appoints New Dean
Professor Susan Hart has been appointed as the new Dean
of Durham University Business School following a competitive
recruitment process. She will take up her position in summer
2016. Professor Hart, currently Associate Deputy Principal at
the University of Strathclyde, will succeed Professor Rob
Dixon, Dean since 2008.
Public event in Durham - Scottish Soldiers
Archaeology Project
In September 2015, after extensive analysis, Durham
University announced that the jumbled remains of at least
17 and up to 28 individuals, found in a mass grave behind
the University’s Palace Green Library, were Scottish Soldiers
who fought in the 1650 Battle of Dunbar.
ST MARY’S| FRIENDS MAGAZINE
Global Leaders in Social Sciences
Durham University has been recognised as a global leader in
Social Sciences and is now in the top 50 in the world for the
subject area according to the latest Times Higher Education (THE)
World Rankings subject league tables. The University has climbed 20 places to 36th in the rankings
demonstrating its strength in social sciences research and
teaching.
NEWS
Improving mobility in rural Africa
Research by Durham University is helping to improve
mobility and access to transport for schoolchildren and the
elderly in rural Africa.
The work, conducted in collaboration with local partners,
has led to changes in policy to raise awareness of the
difficulties children face when travelling to school and to
provide better transport for the elderly.
Durham student elected Chair of
Commonwealth Youth Council
Durham postgraduate student Kishva Ambigapathy has been
given the responsibility of engaging 1.2 billion of the world’s
young people in global issues. MSc student Kishva has been
elected as the new Chair of the Commonwealth Youth Council
(CYC), the largest and most diverse youth-led organisation in
the world.
ST MARY’S| FRIENDS MAGAZINE
For a newcomer to London, the city
can be large and somewhat
intimidating. Thrust from the safe confines
of university in Durham, the move to full-time
employment is a big cultural adjustment. Saying
goodbye to housemates who feel like family,
staff who have encouraged you and Thursday
morning lie-ins after Loveshack is not an easy
farewell for anyone. Therefore, expanding the
St. Mary’s College community in the south of
England through events is an excellent way to
maintain a sense of the support and fellowship
that is felt so keenly during the three or more
years spent studying.
Christmas drinks at the Old Bank of England pub
on Fleet Street was one such occasion. With the
December nights getting progressively shorter
and colder (though nothing, of course, can faze
an ex-Durhamite), a reunion with old friends was
a festive treat. The sea of friendly faces that
greeted each Marian as they entered the
impressive venue reminded everyone of the
community that we are still all a part of. As a
recent graduate of 2015, it was delightful to
catch up with people, hearing about their
successes and plans for the future. It is so
exciting to see people move forward on a wide
range of diverse and unexpected paths:
travelling to exotic places, working in interesting
fields and having fun in a new city. So too was it
a pleasure to be introduced to those alumni who
I hadn’t previously met. Many individuals were
eager to offer kind and thoughtful advice on
living in London and to share their experience of
the city. The atmosphere was casual, and there
was a general sense of conviviality and
A Very Mary’s Christmas | Alumni drinks at The Old Bank Of England
24
ALUMNI EVENTS
camaraderie which made the night really
enjoyable.
It was touching to see the concerted effort that
members of the St. Mary’s staff had gone to in
order to attend the event. Becca Hunt, JCR
President, had braved the long train journey
down for the evening, as had Hannah Mills,
Alumni Relations Officer. Particular thanks
must go to Hannah, who organised the
gathering and conducted herself with the grace
and poise she sometimes lacked on the Klute
dancefloor. Simon Hackett, College Principal,
also mingled and asked what everyone was up
to, taking a genuine interest in the many
different trajectories. It is nice to know that
pastoral interest does not end just because
your time at Durham does.
At a time when Christmas formals and carol
services were happening in Durham for the
students of the university, there was also an
occasion for its alumni to enjoy. It was a very
real reminder that even in London, which can
feel so different to Durham and the divorced
from the student experience, there is a support
network of people who will look out for you
and are interested in your development. A
merry event all round for those lucky to attend
St Mary’s college.
CALLUM KENNY, GRADUATE OF 2015
‘There was a general sense
of conviviality and
camaraderie which made
the night really enjoyable’
25
|
ST MARY’S| FRIENDS MAGAZINE
This January, St Mary's College and
the rest of Durham University
descended onto Val Thorens for undoubtedly
one of the best weeks of most of our university
experiences. Palatinalps is the biggest single
university ski trip in the UK with over 1400
students and alumni heading to the French Alps.
Naturally, with great expectation comes great
responsibility, but the organising committee
certainly delivered on this one!
Val Thorens were fantastic hosts for this year's
trip, a resort that boasts the largest ski area in
the world; with over 600 kilometers of runs
when combined with Courcheval and Meribel
and a nightlife second to none, it left little to be
desired.
When we actually decided to get our skis on in
search of a bit of fresh air, the snow was
fantastic. A heavy downpour on the first few
days meant we had snow to last the season but
consequentially, unfortunately poor visibility.
The conditions proved rather tricky but luckily
the fresh powder was there to cushion the falls.
As with anything, good things come to those who
wait. On day 4, the heavens finally opened and
the sun beat down on all things glorious, leaving
us to enjoy the mountain in its full beauty. These
were some of the most incredible days of skiing
that I can remember. The sun-drenched slopes
were dotted with brightly-coloured vintage ski
suits, outfits complemented by the famous
Palatinalps wayfarers - supplying all the
necessities for enough Instagram snaps to keep
the fans interested for months. The slalom and
freestyle competitions held on the final day were
a particularly exciting way to end proceedings on
the slopes; there really is very little that can
compare to the adrenaline rush of racing, even if
friendships are won or lost. For those that
fancied even more silverware, Val Thorens is also
home to Europe's largest Toboggan run starting
at an altitude of over 3000m! Needless to say,
that helmets were strongly recommended.
Palatinalps 2016
FEATURE
Bar 360 was the perfect destination for afternoon
beers or even a Vin Chaud or two - an après-ski
delight. Each day the sun would set over the
mountain bar, home to Palatinalps HQ, as we
danced to the tunes of FKJ and Arc. Bar 360 also
hosted the incredibly popular mountain meal,
where guests can dine on fondue, cured meats,
chips and wine well into the evening before
descending to an alpine disco. Heading down the
slopes became tougher with the number of
drinks consumed, but provided one of the most
picturesque views that Val Thorens had to offer.
It was a truly euphoric moment; skiing home
accompanied by a spirited Durham contingent
with the town glowing in the distance.
In the evenings, we were spoiled for choice for
entertainment. We would usually make our way
down to SnowCafe and Saloon first, traditional ski
town bars and the perfect place to reunite with
all of your friends after a long day on the slopes.
The bar managers were all too thankful for the
liveliness of the student crowd, even providing
free Caramel Toffee Vodka - a true favourite
known to all previous Palatinalpers. With the
buzz and excitement of the night still building we
realised that festivities would continue on into
the early hours of the morning… time to head to
the next attraction.
A definite highlight of the trip was Klub Summit,
Europe's highest nightclub. I'm sure they have
hosted some pretty excitable crowds over the
years, but they had no idea what had hit them
when the Mary's Roman Empire and their
spectacular assortment of gladiators and
empresses turned up at their doors - some say it
was the best night out since 476 C.E... On the
final night before heading home we headed to
nightclub Malaysia - with the whole of Palatinalps
invited, it was the ideal way to top off an
incredible week. Stepping inside was like entering
a portal to a new world, as behind its unassuming
exterior was Europe's largest dancefloor, 700m²
to be exact. With none other than drum and bass
legends Chase & Status on the decks, it's fair to
say that not many nights out will ever compare:
the place, the timing and the people all
combining to create some unforgettable
memories.
In short, Palatinalps brought together the perfect
combination of fresh powder skiing, brilliant
venues and even better music to create an
unbelievable week that will be remembered for a
very long time - a fantastic way to kick off 2016.
Alistair McWilliam, St Mary’s
College Palatinalps rep
‘It was a truly euphoric
moment; skiing home
accompanied by a spirited
Durham contingent with
the town glowing in the
distance.’
ST MARY’S| FRIENDS MAGAZINE
28
A distinguished small group of the
great and the good of St Mary's
College gathered at the bottom of the
Williamson steps in late October 2015 on the
occasion of the cutting of a ribbon and a few
speeches : from Professor Hackett, Freshta Yosufi
and Dr Gillian Boughton. The location of the all-
women accommodation block needed to be
moved from the Shepherd Wing and by a
generous act of imagination Professor Hackett
has persuaded the University that the relocated
block should be named the Boughton Wing.
Dr Boughton outlined special reasons why the
rationale for a women's block persuaded her
personally : the first arising from St Mary's
unique history and culture as a women's College
from 1899 until 2007; the second to meet
minority faith, health, psychological or personal
choice requirements and the third, a personal
experience when she had been fearful of being
trapped into contact with someone from her
own life who had wanted to confront her and for
time had been significantly afraid of being
hounded by them. This, added to her
experiences as a voluntary prison visitor, had
made her aware of situations beyond someone's
control which might make the relative protection
of an all-women's environment a genuine
contribution to a student's academic success for
a minority of women.
Extracts from her speech follow:
‘It is a wonderful, deeply unexpected blessing to
The Boughton Wing | The opening of the new all-women’s block by a Mary’s legend
FEATURE
29
be back at St Mary's today and in these
circumstances.
When an email arrived from Professor
Simon Hackett last term out of the blue,
outlining today's plan, I was literally lost for
words. I did not know how to respond, to think
or to write. I did not know whether to accept. I
just gurgled 'give me time, Simon, I don't know
what to say'...
I hope I am a tirelessly roving ambassador for
this place because although you don't realise it
at the time as one thing hurtles after another,
the 13 years and one term spent at St Mary's
were special and extraordinary. And this
because of the fourteen generations of students,
and the people here, all of them now friends.
A word about the women's wing in terms of why
it mattered so much. Serious bit. I am
profoundly in support both in principle and for
personal reasons of keeping an all women's
area, particularly an all ensuite one . And so
happy and grateful that my memories of St
Mary's, this lovely place, are now inexorably tied
together.
When I sent an email around my family last term
saying that a Boughton Wing was going to be
named after me, my sister Ruth flipped one
straight back saying - 'but they have left three
words off, Gill . '. 'what words?' I enquired..
'They should have written ...'and a prayer'... Very
true. Oh so true.
So with that thought it gives me enormous
pleasure to cut the ribbon and declare a blessing
on the Boughton Wing and all who sail in her…’
ST MARY’S| FRIENDS MAGAZINE
Foot of the Hill’s production of Shrek
had the audience laughing from start to
finish. Their pantomime adaptation of the
beloved movie is something yet to have been
taken on by any other college, at least in my
lifetime, and this certainly made it stand out for all
the right reasons.
The jokes came thick and fast, the musical
performances were dazzling and the cast worked
together seamlessly to create a smashing
production which was enjoyed by all.
The panto featured adaptions of all the beloved
fairy-tale characters found in the movies including
3 drunk mice, Puss in Boots, Gingerbread WAM
(Welfare at Mary’s Officer) and a ‘Pretty Boulder’,
who had the joyous task of sitting onstage for the
entire performance.
The plot centred around the love lives of Durham
first years Fiona and Shrek, and things got off to a
bad start; upon arriving at Mary’s, one green
haired Shrek found he had to share a room with
the anti-Shrek, a ‘nocturnal’ fresher named
Donkey.
Jonathan Vautrey’s portrayal of Shrek was spot on,
with his graphic depiction of Klute and its many
layers of fresh sweat, alcohol and ‘miscellaneous
fluids’ ringing true with most of the audience.
Newcomer Bethany Wright did phenomenally well
as the leading lady, with a superb voice which was
showcased by a performance of Survivor. Fiona
was dealing with her own disaster throughout the
play, with pushy parents and a vast amount of
unrequited attention from Lord Sharkuard. Special
props go out to Sam Martin for performing the
whole play on his knees, and to him and his
cronies’ perfect depiction of the classic Durham
Rah stereotypes.
This play is one which appeals to not just the St.
Mary’s students, but to all of the University, as it
was steeped in Durham stereotypes. Some of my
personal favourites include the use of Stockton as
‘Far Far Away’ and the chaotic sketch featuring a
Harry Potter social in Mary’s bar.
The musical interludes were on point and the
audience saw everything from an enthusiastic drag
queen rendition of Cindy Lauper’s ‘Girls Just
Wanna Have Fun’, an X-Factor worthy cast
performance of ‘Hallelujah’, complete with
electronic candles and swaying, and the Shrek
Classic that is ‘I’m a Believer’.
Congratulations to Luke Wagner for his successful
direction which lead to a wonderful performance
and an evening enjoyed by all. Overall, the
production was slick, the jokes were on point and
the enthusiasm from the cast was infectious. A
spirited cast rendition of ‘All I want for Christmas is
You’ had the audience leaving in high spirits with
the Christmas cheer felt by all.
Foot of the Hill’s next production will be
‘Grease’ on the 21st and 22nd June 2016
Shrek The Pantomime | Review by Julie McElroy, Drama President
REVIEW
31
ST MARY’S| FRIENDS MAGAZINE
32
Mary’s Memories | We asked alumni to tell us some of their favourite memories of St Mary’s
College so that we can share them with you all. If you have any memories of your
own that you would like to submit, please send them to [email protected]
MEMORIES
33
I remember coming
back to Durham the
year after I left,
driving in and
seeing the Cathedral
illuminated,
knowing I’d come
home and spending
the weekend with
friends still at St
Mary’s.
- Freddie Howell -
First year Freshers’ week…
Everyone going to breakfast
together and recanting stories
from the night before…
And pretending to be at
Hogwarts during
matriculation!
- Chloe George -
Playing the live lounge on a
cold January evening, friends
sitting either side and a whole
room of Marians - the bar
packed with happy faces
- Josie Green -
To name but one would be far
too easy… Mary’s set me up
for life and I made friends that
I’ll never forget
- Jack Longden -
Unquestionably, the
experiences with the
rugby club.
Winning our first
floodlit cup game
and, more
importantly, the
socials.
- Eliot McGuire -
End of first term 2005 -
Brunch on the last day of
term. An international student
came in with a guitar and
started singing ’leaving on a
jet plane’ next to the rugby
team. After an awkward few
seconds, everybody embraced
it. There were massive cheers
at the end and the rugby
captain gave him a hug.
- Anonymous -
Mary’s Day 2015 paint party
<3
- Anonymous -
On my first day at Mary’s I
was told that Mary’s made
strong, independent women,
Ten years on and how right
that was!
- Anonymous -
Gillian Boughton telling us to
‘wear hats in bed’ so that we
didn’t feel the cold in winter.
Watching ‘Neighbours’ in the
JCR after lunch…
- Emma Thompson -
Making the best
friends ever.
Housemates,
bridesmaids,
confidantes. I love
them so much, 13
years and counting.
Mary’s rocks.
- Anonymous -
ST MARY’S| FRIENDS MAGAZINE
A Fresh Perspective… | The fresher’s experience as told by Pip Orchard, 2015 fresher
On the very first day at Mary’s, I was
greeted by a person in a griffin
costume (I still have no idea who it was)
dancing around the car while music was played
through supersized speakers from inside
Fergusson, blasting Beyoncé into the Durham air.
Second and third years rushed to my aid, helping
me with my plethora of suitcases, and escorted
me to room 1 in Williamson. I was and still am so
happy about this – and yes I do now know the
names of BOTH buildings. This was the very start
of my Mary’s and Durham experience and it
definitely set the bar high for freshers’ week.
Freshers’ week lived up to expectations. It was
an exciting and exhausting blur.
Having made a lovely group of friends during
freshers’ week, I had the blessing of taking part
in all which Mary’s had to offer with the best of
company. I performed (in the very loosest sense
of the word) in the college pantomime last term.
The show was ‘Shrek’ and I was cast in the role of
“Gingerbread WAM”, dishing out supplies and
advice to all.
One of the best things about being at Mary’s is
the formal dinners, which happen every two
weeks or so. To sit down and have a delicious
meal with friends, each one looking dapper or
gorgeous (or both) is just so much fun and each
term is highlighted by them.
Recently, I’ve also been part of the Masquerade
Ball committee. We’ve been painting and doing
general arts and crafts in preparation for one of
the biggest events of the year, the Wonderland
Ball. Not only has it given me the chance to show
off my lack of artistic skills but it has also given
me an insight into just how much work goes on
behind the scenes for every college event.
Like many new students, I was one of those
people who signed up for almost everything at
the freshers’ fair: badminton, squash,
trampolining… the list goes on. Needless to say, I
have either given them all up or never went to
them in the first place. However, it was truly
inspiring to see the vast range of societies at
Durham and it has made me realise that you
should not be embarrassed about the things that
you enjoy, whether it be traditional things like
rugby or slightly quirky things like anime or
ballroom dancing.
Along with all the non-academic pursuits that I
had taken up, I soon had to face the genuine
reason for why I came to Durham: to study.
‘Durham and the
surrounding countryside
are stunning’
34
FEATURE
Before I came to Durham, I imagined that all of
my classes would be in rooms filled with people,
that there would be no space to breathe and that
an old man would deliver a long, drawn out
lecture, speaking very quietly at the front,
muttering nonsense to himself and that the whole
workload would fall to me. Then I remembered
that I chose to study Classics, so I was only half
wrong; the rooms are pretty much empty.
All joking aside, the Classics department have
been wonderful. My lectures are very engaging
and they have made all aspects of Classics, a
supposedly old-fashioned and ‘dead’ subject,
vibrant and vivacious. The ‘dead’ languages are
very much alive in Durham, and elsewhere in the
world definitely have at least a pulse.
Because Durham is such a small city and everyone
lives in such close proximity to their friends, there
can be a pressure to be sociable all the time; add
to this the workload and you run the risk of
bottled stress. Luckily, Durham and the
surrounding countryside are stunning. When the
pressures of life get too much, I have found that
going on long walks and removing myself from
the city is the most relaxing thing to do. A friend
of mine told me about a nearby waterfall which I
often go to; it has become one of my favourite
spots in Durham.
Now in my second term of my first year, I already
feel that time is going too quickly. College has
become a home away from home and every day
in Durham is a great day. I cannot wait for what
lies in store over the next three years. Thank you
St Mary’s for such an amazing start to my
university experience.
ST MARY’S| FRIENDS MAGAZINE
‘College has become a home away
from home and every day in
Durham is a great day. I cannot wait
for what lies in store over the next
three years.’
PIP ORCHARD, 1ST YEAR
FEATURE
ST MARY’S| FRIENDS MAGAZINE
7 Decades a Marian | Happy 90th Birthday to Gwyneth Cole, Senior Woman 1955-56
Gwyneth Cole came to St. Mary’s as a
History student in 1947, which was not so
very long after the end of the Second World War.
She had been serving for three years in the
Auxiliary Territorial Service, the women’s branch
of the British Army.
She has a unique place in the history of St. Mary’s
because she was an undergraduate at two very
significant times. Firstly, she was present when
HRH Princess Elizabeth, the future Queen, laid
the Foundation Stone of the new St Mary’s
building (now known as Fergusson) on the
present site in October 1947. Secondly, she was
one of the very first students to live in the new
building when it opened in October 1952.
Although she had started her degree course in
1947, after just two terms she had to take several
years off to recover from a spinal injury. When
she returned in October 1952 as a Fresher for the
second time, it was to the exciting new
environment on Elvet Hill, St. Mary’s being the
first of the Hill Colleges.
“I had witnessed the laying of the foundation
stone in 1947 and been presented to Princess
Elizabeth before the ceremony. I jokingly
declared that they had built the College in time
for my return,” said Gwyneth, looking back fifty
years later.
Not only was she part of two major landmarks in
the College history but she also experienced
different College lifestyles, firstly in a variety of
old buildings scattered around the peninsula,
including 8 The College (now the Chorister
School) on Cathedral Close and Abbey House on
Palace Green. Then secondly, from 1952, she
experienced College life in the magnificent new
building with its imposing façade and spacious
dining hall; it even had central heating!
Exactly 60 years ago, she was Senior Woman, (as
the JCR President was called then) in the
academic year 1955-56 and saw another
transition: a change of Principals, from Margaret
Fergusson to Marjorie Williamson. She recorded
the ups and downs of College life in her 1955-56
JCR Report for the Newsletter, such as a water
shortage in Durham which “lasted until we went
down, and so we missed the luxury of constant
baths; two inches of water did not encourage one
to linger.”
In 1955, she graduated with a B.A. Hons. Degree
in History and eager for another year in Durham,
stayed on to train as a teacher in 1955-56.
‘I had witnessed the laying of
the foundation stone in 1947
and been presented to
Princess Elizabeth before the
ceremony.’
38
7 Decades a Marian |
Because she was Senior Woman, she again lived in
College.
Gwyneth began her teaching career in Selby.
Eventually, she moved back to the North East to
continue her career. She had a very happy
marriage to Tom Cole (“He was worth waiting
for”, she says) which was sadly, cut short by his
death after only a few years. Meanwhile, her
interest in College grew from strength to strength.
Gwyneth has made a major contribution to the St.
Mary’s College Society (for Alumni) as an active
committee member. With tireless enthusiasm, as
Editor of the SMCS Newsletter, she collected news
of Alumnae and organised events such as the
annual SMCS Reunion. She was the first College
Archivist and with her due sense of St. Mary’s
history, dating back to the beginning of the
College in 1899, she keenly collected archive
items and quickly acquired computer skills.
She was the SCR President during the celebration
of the Golden Jubilee of the Fergusson Building.
She organised activities devotedly; not even thick
snow would deter her from driving to Durham.
In 2000, her efforts were recognised when she
was made an Honorary Fellow of St. Mary’s. A
celebration dinner was held in the October to
mark the occasion.
She herself is part of the College history and her
interest in St. Mary’s past and present is unfailing.
She has a fund of lively anecdotes and keeps in
touch with the many friends she has made at St.
Mary’s College. Gwyneth is a very special Alumna
who has celebrated a very special birthday.
ANNE ELLIOTT
COLLEGE ARCHIVIST
FEATURE
Principal Simon Hackett and Gwyneth Cole on her 90th birthday, 29th September 2015
39
ST MARY’S| FRIENDS MAGAZINE
Changing Seasons | In Michaelmas term, we launched the ‘Changing
Seasons’ photography competition for current
students. We wanted photos that captured how
Durham changes through the year, from wintry
snapshots of snow on the riverbanks to new buds
blooming on the trees in spring. We received
close to a hundred fantastic entries to choose
from, and are delighted to share with you the
winner and 4 runners up as chosen by our panel.
Yue Li - ‘This photo was taken in November
2015. As I walked along the drive to St Mary’s
College, the broken pieces of the sunshine were
dancing on the leaves through tree branches. I
was fascinated by the golden scenery. As an
ancient Chinese poet said, the fallen petals are
not heartless - in return, they would transform
into fertilizer to nourish the flowers in the
coming spring. I think the autumn leaves were
also contributing to the tree’s growth in the
coming year.’
Martha Radley - ‘Living in College in first year
and having most of my lectures at the Science
Site meant that I didn't go into Durham City
Centre in the day time all that often. When I did,
though, I went via Prebends Bridge because
whatever the weather was doing, it reminded
me how lucky I was to live in such a beautiful
city! This photo captures my favourite type of
weather: cold and crisp with bright blue
skies. Now I live out, I rarely pass by Prebends
Bridge, but when I do, I'm sure to take a photo
from the same place I did in this one!’
Martha Radley, runner up
‘This photo captures
my favourite type of
weather: cold and
crisp with bright blue
skies.’
40
FEATURE
‘As an ancient Chinese poet said, the
fallen petals are not heartless - in return,
they would transform into fertilizer to
nourish the flowers in the coming spring’
Yue Li, winner
ST MARY’S| FRIENDS MAGAZINE
Yizhou Liu - ‘Accidentally, I borrowed a proper
camera from a senior Chinese photographer who
was hunting for good scenes in Durham. He and I
had been strangers to each other before
our lovely conversation about capturing the
beauty of Durham and its people.
I thought, instead of a boring, kitsch photo, why
not add some creative input to this beguiling
prospect? Then, comes the photo between
the two perfect strangers.’
Bruno Martin - ‘I had just got back to Durham
from a rainy weekend in the Yorkshire Dales
when I took this photo. It was November. The
coach dropped me off outside Elvet Riverside and
the air was crisp and cold. I was crossing Bath's
bridge, on my way to our house in Gilesgate,
when I looked over the river towards the
Cathedral, cut out against the setting sun. As I
followed the light eastward, this is what I saw. A
shadow crept along the forest and only the
bandstand gleamed in the autumn leaves and the
Wear's reflections. I took a few moments at the
bridge before hurrying along with the last light.
Home.’
‘He and I had been strangers to
each other before our lovely
conversation about capturing
the beauty of Durham and its
people’
‘A shadow crept along the forest and only the bandstand gleamed in the
autumn leaves and the Wear's reflections. I took a few moments at the
bridge before hurrying along with the last light. Home.’
Bruno Martin, Runner Up
42
FEATURE
Erica Chung - ‘The sharp contrast between
leaves of olive green and golden yellow really
struck me as I walked out of Mary's on this fine
morning in early November 2015. One of the
reasons why I enjoy outdoor walks in autumn is
the observable transition between seasons.
The trees on both sides of the footpath and the
fallen leaves scattered on the ground
demonstrated one part of the cycle of seasons
in the simplest way possible. Being awestruck
by this picture painted by nature, I also realised
how quickly time had passed as it was already
my fourth week in Durham.’
If you have any beautiful photos of Durham
that you would like to be featured in the next
edition, please send them to our development
officer, Hannah, at [email protected]
‘A shadow crept along the forest and only the bandstand gleamed in the
autumn leaves and the Wear's reflections. I took a few moments at the
bridge before hurrying along with the last light. Home.’
Bruno Martin, Runner Up
Above - Erica Chung, Runner Up. Below - Yizhou Liu, ‘Perfect Stranger’, Runner Up
ST MARY’S| FRIENDS MAGAZINE
Introducing… | Jackie Unwin | College Librarian
Let’s start with the basics…
how about you introduce
yourself to our students,
alumni & friends?
I’m a qualified Librarian with
experience in a number of
different library environments
– from a busy Public Library to
City oil company! Originally
from this region, I spent time in
Leeds and London before
returning to live in Durham 12
years ago.
What does your role at Mary’s
involve?
My main role is to ensure that
the Library and Reading room
run smoothly. I’ve got a great
team of Student Librarians who
help me with this. My aim is to
ensure that the Study Spaces in
Mary’s meet the needs of the
students by providing guidance
and an excellent range of
resources, along with an
appropriate learning
environment.
So what were you up to before
you came to Mary’s?
For the last 25 years I’ve been a
Course Leader and lecturer, so
am very happy to be merging
my experience with students
with my library background.
It’s a dream job!
You’ve been in position for a
few months now – what have
you enjoyed most so far?
I don’t think there’s anything I
haven’t enjoyed. I’d heard that
Mary’s has the reputation of
being the friendliest college
and it has certainly lived up to
that. Everyone has been very
helpful and patient, even when
I’ve been asking dozens of
questions. I think my first
favourite moment was when I
started tidying the library
shelves in my first week and
realised I was loving a job I
used to think was a bit boring.
Putting all those books into the
right order is very satisfying!
(Does that sound a bit weird?)
And what are you looking
forward to most over the
coming year at Mary’s?
Getting to know people a little
better. I’m hoping to increase
the amount of help I offer in
finding the right resources for
assignments – so that students
can go beyond the reading list!
Finally, could you tell us a fun
or unusual fact about yourself?
For most of my life I’ve lived
close to railway lines and I’m a
bit of a steam train geek. I
spend quite a bit of time
dragging my other half to
remote railway stations if there
is a chance that a locomotive
might steam past.
44
INTRODUCTIONS
Sponsor a Book Scheme
St Mary’s library is as old as the College itself, housing a collection of almost 8000 unique
titles, collected over a hundred years of history and available for the use of all college
members.
Our Library and Reading Room are truly special places filled with memories of scholarship
and relaxation. If as an alumni or friend of the college you would like to support the
Library in a tangible and long-lasting way, why not consider sponsoring a book?
The gift of a new book has a recognisable impact upon all the College community and is a
gift which continues to serve students for years to come. A book dedication may be
sponsored by individuals or on behalf of others as a deeply personal and lasting gift. Books
bought in honour of congregating students make great graduation gifts and personal
dedications provide a tender way to mark a birthday, anniversary, marriage or retirement.
Sponsoring a book costs just £25, and in return a personalised bookplate will be attached
to your gift with your chosen text marking your special occasion.
If you would like to sponsor a new book or learn more about the needs of the library
please email [email protected]
ST MARY’S| FRIENDS MAGAZINE
The academic year 2014-15 was an
eventful and in some ways challenging
one for the College. In my letter last year I
reported the sad loss of Euan Coulthard in
Epiphany term. I was truly grateful to all the
alumni who contacted me expressing concern
and offering assistance. Staff and students alike
benefited from the support given by our Vice
Principal, Catherine Paine, Senior Student
Support Officer, Dave Robson and also our
Student Support Administrator, Dorothy Grieve,
during this traumatic time. The dedication shown
by staff supporting our students through this time
led to me as Principal and the entire St Mary’s
Welfare Team being honoured with this year’s
Durham Students’ Union Award for Outstanding
Personal Support. For the new academic year the
College launched a new initiative “Safe Mary’s”,
designed to support and develop positive
behaviours and cultures that will keep our
community as safe as possible. Although the
events of last academic year were difficult, I
remain very proud of the strength of the College
community in adverse circumstances.
A bench purchased by the St Mary’s College
Society in Euan’s memory was dedicated on 10th
June in a moving ceremony and placed in the
College’s Eco-garden. Details and photographs
have been sent to Euan’s family, from whom I
have received a letter of thanks. They have also
donated his text books to the College Library, and
we have produced bookplates bearing an
appropriate message.
In my message last year, I outlined two priorities:
• To continue to fund student activities and
societies at St Mary’s through our Development
Fund, to which students can apply at the
beginning of each term;
• To purchase the former St Chad’s boathouse
and the land it stands on for redevelopment as
a Mary’s boathouse.
Through the kind gifts we received, we were able
to make considerable progress in these areas. We
have continued to support students in hardship
and financial difficulty. Any of our students who
run into financial difficulty whilst they are here
are almost entirely reliant on the support we can
provide to help with the cost of fees,
accommodation, books and general living. We
provided a number of targeted grants of
approximately £500 to students in this position
last year. As one recipient, wrote to me: “Please
thank all those who have given me this chance to
stay here and get my degree. I’ll never forget the
difference that it has made to me”.
As last year, we have also used gifts to support a
wide range of student activities. These include
the purchase of sports equipment for a range of
our teams and clubs, as well as supporting
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student music and drama events. Through the
generosity of a number of alumni we have raised
some of the funds we need to refurbish the St
Chad’s boathouse. You may recall that in my
letter last year I explained that we aspired to
have a College-specific boathouse for the first
time and that we had earmarked some funding
to make the initial purchase of the St Chad’s
boathouse, but that we needed additional
resources to fund the redevelopment. At the
time of writing, there are some issues with
planning permission for St Chad’s and we have
therefore not been able to finalise the initial
purchase. However, we wish to maintain
momentum on this project.
As I am sure is obvious, these activities have
made a real difference to the lives of individuals
and they have helped us to improve the College
and its facilities for students. I am acutely aware
that we remain in difficult times financially and
many people do not have significant funds to
give away. However, if you could consider
donating to College, please be assured that your
gifts, whatever their size, are both sorely
needed and hugely valued. Any gifts we receive
this year will go straight to work funding
activities in College. We have two distinct
priorities this year:
• Hardship and Development Fund: This
is to continue to help with student hardship and
also to fund student activities at St Mary’s
through our Development Fund. This is our
primary fund open to all students and makes a
huge difference to our students’ time here
in the College. Donations to this fund remain our
first and biggest priority. For example,
£500 could make the difference between a
student being able to complete a degree
or needing to drop out due to financial
problems. £250 could fund a College music or
drama performance or could support one of the
St Mary’s College sports teams with the
purchase of equipment. £100 could help a
student struggling to buy vital textbooks.
• The Boathouse Project: Any further
donations to this specific project would be very
gratefully received. In addition to the
redevelopment of the boathouse, we also need
to repair and add to our deteriorating boats and
associated rowing equipment.
If you are in a position to help us in our plans,
we would be extremely grateful. A single gift of
£100, £50 or even £10 would have real impact.
Alternatively, an ongoing regular gift of, for
example, £10 or £15 per month would allow us
to plan ahead more, as we could be assured of
this income in future months and years.
SIMON HACKETT
PRINCIPAL, ST MARY’S COLLEGE
Please do consider giving to St Mary’s in some small way;
no matter what size, your gift will always be appreciated
St Mary’s College
Elvet Hill Road
Durham
DH1 3LR
0191 334 5955
https://www.dur.ac.uk/st-marys.college/
Principal
Simon Hackett
Email: [email protected]
Alumni Relations and Development Officer
Hannah Mills
Email: [email protected]
01913345987
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