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Daphne Park Memorial book 3_3.indd - Somerville College

Daphne Park Memorial book 3_3.indd - Somerville College

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Recollections of <strong>Somerville</strong> Colleaguesand Former StudentsA MENTOR, A ROLE MODEL and not least, a critical friend. Everyone who knew<strong>Daphne</strong> has their own memories of her. I write of her here as a predecessor to whom Iowe an enormous debt of gratitude.Being the head of a college can be a lonely role and peers and predecessors mayameliorate that. I have had cause in my career to reflect on mentors and role models, notleast in admiring those whom I wanted to learn from and emulate, and identifying thosewhom I did not. When I first got to know <strong>Daphne</strong> she rapidly showed how important shewas to become to me in providing both wisdom and support. Her experience and goodjudgement on issues relating to the role that we had both undertaken, and on muchbeyond, were always evident, and any criticism was offered in a spirit of kindly support.Indeed her kindness was striking. Not everyone of such distinction shows so muchconsideration of others. As with any important relationship, trust played an importantpart, and her discretion, of course, was never in doubt.We shared a belief that our relationship with the students at the college was a priorityfor us as Principals. <strong>Daphne</strong>’s affection for ‘her’ Somervillians shone through ourconversations, and she maintained contact with many of them and other alumni, oftenacross the world. I much regret not being able to spend more time with <strong>Daphne</strong> givenour busy schedules. However, knowing her as I did was an enormous privilege.Fiona Caldicott, Principal of <strong>Somerville</strong>, 1996-2010WHEN WE INTERVIEWED DAPHNE for the Principalship she won my vote atlunch. Approaching the hot plate that in those days stood to the right of High Table, sheexclaimed with unfeigned delight, ‘Oh good – sausages and mash!’. It was immediatelyapparent that she wasn’t drawn to life as a Head of House by any imagined luxuries orprivileges, but was a true Somervillian, for whom making the world a better place wasalways the central aim. But though content to live plainly, she was a magnificent hostess.I remember the splendid party she gave at Radcliffe House at the beginning of herPrincipalship, at which GIN & TONIC was included among the array of drinks on offer!46

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