march 2009 - Fitzwilliam College - University of Cambridge

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1998) gave a philosophical talk How far can you go? Reflection(s) on the iterative hierarchy. To complete the afternoon, Dr Peter Neumann from Oxford University – whose father, Professor Bernhard Neumann, completed a PhD at Fitzwilliam in 1935 – gave a provocative talk Challenging Cambridge Mathematics. After all this mental stimulation, some physical exertion was in order. We walked the short distance down Storey’s Way to the Centre for Mathematical Sciences. Fitzwilliam can now boast to be the secondclosest college to the Mathematics Department. We made a tour of this very impressive building, which was designed by Edward Cullinan, the architect behind the new Fitzwilliam library. Our tour included a rainy break on the grass roof and we all returned a little damp to Fitzwilliam College. However a tasty meal awaited us and a lively evening followed. After the meal, Professor John Willis launched the Fitzwilliam Mathematics Subject Fund. Many subjects at Fitzwilliam College already have an established fund which provides financial help to students in those subjects. We would like the mathematicians to have such a resource to call on. In the main the fund would be used to help Mathematics students to purchase books or a computer or, for postgraduates in particular, to fund the opportunity to travel. The Fellows in Mathematics sincerely thank those who have contributed already to the Mathematics Subject Fund. If you would also like to contribute, and help the Mathematics students of the future, please contact the Development Office in College for details. Finally, we thank everyone who attended the first Fitzwilliam Mathematics Reunion and made it such an enjoyable event. We very much hope to make this a regular feature on the Fitzwilliam Calendar. Look out for a future date, probably in the 2010–11 academic year. We look forward to seeing you there. RACHEL CAMINA LONDON DINNER The London Dinner was held on 9 May 2008. The numbers were slightly down on recent years, which some attributed to the experiment of a Friday evening which it was hoped would attract younger members. An analysis of the attendance lists for recent years showed fewer of that target group attended in 2008 and so in 2009 the dinner will revert to a Thursday evening: Thursday 30 April. As always, the Tallow Chandlers’ Hall provided an excellent setting, and the fine evening enabled us to hold the reception in the courtyard. Sadly, the Dinner Secretary, Ken Dearsley, could not be with us because he is now in the Middle East but his menu selection proved excellent and again we especially enjoyed the Château St Jacques d’Albas, generously supplied from the vineyard of Graham Nutter (Geography 1966). The year’s President, Dinesh Dhamija (Law 1971) entertained us with a wide-ranging speech that included the need to grow Fitzwilliam’s meagre endowment, the value of sportsmen as leaders, savvy business advice from one who has succeeded in that field and a conclusion about the speed of thought. As is customary, he concluded with the toast to the College. The Junior President of the JMA, Harriet Bradshaw responded with an amusing discourse on her internet research into billygoats which, we learnt, were held responsible for whispering rude things in the ears of saints. Thankfully, billygoats were also attributed with strength, determination, pride and loyalty and Harriet recounted a few of the last year’s successes to show that those qualities live on. The Master observed that while the Friday experiment had failed, he was grateful that there was a corps of members who would attend on any day, at any time and in any location – but that thankfully they never remembered his speech. He listed the College’s achievements of the past year in its academic improvement, in securing the Chaplaincy in perpetuity, in sport and in music. Emphasising that Cambridge remains very competitive, he was nevertheless constantly amazed by the drive and dynamism of Fitzwilliam students. Nor was the College resting. The building of the new Library had just started and the College was now preparing a strategic plan for the future. So ended a most successful evening, although there was yet an unexpected odyssey for some. The Cambridge coach driver had had some difficulty navigating the College party to the Tallow Chandlers’ – and their collection proved too challenging. With no coach appearing and the last train beckoning, the Master and Bursar were obliged to lead an expedition to Liverpool Street, where thankfully one member of the party had the credit card to purchase the necessary twenty tickets. There will be a new coach contractor for 2009! IAIN REID 59
march 2009 60 REUNION WEEKEND 2008 As a virtual rookie of the Fitzwilliam Development Office, I can firmly say that the indelible experience of my first Fitzwilliam Alumni Reunion Weekend was one of unalloyed enjoyment and exhilaration. After many intensive months of preparation, this extraordinary mainstay of the Fitzwilliam calendar saw the College warmly welcome back over 500 members. A significant number of attendees travelled from distant continents to participate in the occasion, with such efforts being tributes to the heartfelt affection in which alumni regard this remarkable community. I knew I would be in for an exciting ride! On Saturday morning I journeyed anxiously to the Boathouse to introduce myself to an assembly of unfamiliar faces gathered by the Cam. My trembling nerves were quickly settled by the friendly reception I received. In fact, the overwhelming warmth of Fitzwilliam members proved to be the hallmark of the weekend as member after member from every generation kindly greeted me into the fold, each with their own story to tell about their student days. My next stop was Oxford Road. Fortunately the weather was obliging and the sun came out in full force to break the autumn chill, much to the relief of those cheering on the sidelines. It was thrilling to witness so much energy and competitive charge out on the field. With rugby, football and hockey matches taking place simultaneously I was spoilt for choice and took in as much as possible by strolling from one pitch to the next and chatting with spectators and supporters along the way. Back on the main site, things took on a more cerebral tone. The Senior Tutor, Paul Chirico, discussed the nineteenth-century poet John Clare. Addressing a group in the Gordon Cameron Lecture Theatre, Dr Chirico guided his audience through the recent process of establishing Clare’s birthplace as an educational and cultural centre. Over in the Auditorium, the Bursar gave an illuminating talk about upcoming changes to the College with particular emphasis on the new Library and IT Centre. Whilst for many the Reunion Weekend is essentially an occasion of nostalgia, reminiscence and sentimentality, it is also a time to reflect on the tremendous strides the College has made and to think about the inevitable changes that lie ahead. Walking through the grounds I spotted numerous members carefully examining architectural plans and gazing through the ‘hole in the wall’ to see construction on the eagerly anticipated Library (those of you who didn’t make it up for Reunion Weekend can watch the building progress via a webcam on the College website). Reunion attendees were also amongst the first to enjoy a drink in the newly renovated College bar which doubles up as a tea and coffee shop. The College’s 150th Anniversary Campaign was officially launched at the Reunion by Lord Lamont, Dr David Starkey and Professor Alison Richard, Vice- Chancellor of the University (p. 51 of the Journal). Unsurprisingly, the perennially popular Saturday dinner was fully subscribed. This year eclipsed all others and the event proved to be so popular that we had to accommodate the overflow from the Hall in the Walter Grave Room. With the aid of some technical wizardry, we were even able to relay speeches made in the Hall into the ancillary room via a video link. The moral is to book early! We maintain confidently that our Reunion Weekend sets the standard and is second to none in Cambridge. The Fitzwilliam Reunion is actually the best attended in the entire University and its success is the direct result of the unwavering dedication and commitment of College staff. Each Reunion Weekend is a carefully planned production and many people are involved in making it possible: Porters, Bursary, Development, Catering, Maintenance, Domestic and Gardening staff, among others. Special mention should be made of Emma Smith who works tirelessly throughout the year to ensure that no detail is missed and to guarantee the smooth running of all activities. The Head Porter, John Goodacre, and the Manciple, Tim Heath, also deserve special acknowledgment. Last but not least, Executive Chef, Graham Clements, and his team: after 39 years of service to the College, this was Graham’s last Reunion Weekend as he will be retiring early in 2009. The rapturous applause in the Dining Hall after the Saturday dinner in honour of Graham was a clear indicator that he will be missed. Next year will be the 75th annual Reunion Weekend and will coincide with the University’s 800th Anniversary. It promises to be an unforgettable occasion and I encourage you to book your place as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. I sincerely look forward to seeing this year’s attendees again and to meeting more members of the Fitzwilliam family. See you next September! SERITA RANA, Development Officer
Page 1: march 2009 58 JRAC SUBJECT GATHERIN
Page 5 and 6: march 2009 62 JRAC JRAC Reunion din
Page 7 and 8: march 2009 64 Ken Drake Reunion Row
Page 9 and 10: march 2009 66 Reunion Rowing - Rece
Page 11 and 12: march 2009 68 JRAC (embarrassingly
Page 13 and 14: march 2009 70 Births, Marriages and
Page 15 and 16: march 2009 72 Social Security, 1968
Page 17 and 18: march 2009 74 Singapore, and worked
Page 19 and 20: march 2009 76 PROFESSOR RONALD HARR
Page 21 and 22: march 2009 78 The Fitzwilliam Socie
Page 23 and 24: march 2009 80 Election of auditors
Page 25 and 26: march 2009 82 Nathan Pitt Conferenc
Page 27 and 28: march 2009 84 WOULD YOU LIKE TO CON
Page 29 and 30: The Seventy-Fifth Fitzwilliam Reuni
Page 31: Overseas Chapters A full list of Ch

march 2009 - Fitzwilliam College - University of Cambridge

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