@pembrokestreet
Contents 1 Cambridge’s Best Crests 2 Societies Roundup: What’s been on in Pembroke? 3 Carving out space for meditation 4 Cambridge Rambles 5 Pembroke People: Interviewing JPC Welfare past and present
Editor: Catherine Lally Creative Design: Jess Beaumont Social Media: Sophie Weinmann Contributors: Andrew Jameson, Cal Hewitt, Sophie Weinmann, John Hudson, Tek Kan Chung, Hendrik Prohl, Jiayu Qiu, Anna Mochar, Lucy Fairweather, Catherine Lally, Jess Beaumont, Lucy Xu, Heather Corden Cover artwork: Heather Corden
E d i t o r ’s Note Welcome to another edition of Pembroke Street! With Easter Term in full swing, it’s never been more important to take time to slow down and check in, with friends and with yourself. Give yourself some ‘Respite’, if I may, whether you’re doing your prelims or final exams. We have a lovely collection of articles by Pembroke students in this edition. If you want the ultimate bubble-escaping new tradition, read Anna Mochar’s article about Cambridge’s RambleSoc expeditions. Find out more about working at the heart of College life through the JPC welfare officers, and catch up with our societies round-up. (Read the magazine) Special thanks to all of our contributors, Jess Beaumont for such beautiful design always, and Mairi Eyres for all her amazing work throughout the year as well! Pembroke Street love, Catherine & all the team
Best of Cambridge: College crests Andrew Jameson tells us how Cambridge’s crests stack up We l c o m e b a c k t o another instalment of e v e r y b o d y ’s ‘ n o t exactly-favouritebut-mildlye n j o y e d sometimes’ segment of Pembroke Street! This time we’re diving into the world of heraldry (yes, I’ve finally given into all your heraldic clamouring) to look at what the Cambridge crest scene has to offer. During my initial research, I found a quiz on Cambridge college crests. I failed pretty terribly in said quiz: however, since then I have trained relentlessly and mastered every crest (I haven’t, but that’s the more uplifting
version of events). So buckle up as we have a look at some f a n c y badges. First up is the Murray Edwards crest. I w a s initially drawn to this by the mythical, fish-like creature. I love a good magical beast so it was l o o k i n g promising. But on investigation it turned out to just be a dolphin. Now, I don’t mind dolphins (they’re probably high-mid tier in my animal ranking table), but they’re nowhere near as good as mythical animals.
Plus, and I’m no expert, but that’s a strange looking dolphin. As well as that, the colour scheme of black and white isn’t really the most exciting. 5.2 / No legendary sea creature, no legendary crest St Catharine’s have opted for the minimal design of a Catharine wheel on a red backdrop. And I suppose it does the job, but it also looks like it could have been designed by anyone… and that maybe it should have been designed by anyone else. 5.7 / It’s just a wheel, really
In sharp contrast to St Catharine’s is the Queens’ crest. It looks like they weren’t be able to decide between six different crests, so thought, “you know what, just slap them all on,” producing what I can only describe as a crestdeluge. It should have something for everyone, but I think they could have reined it back. (Bonus crestwithin-a-crest review: I’d say the blue panel of two fish is my favourite; while not mythical fish-like creatures, they at least look like fish). 6.1 / Six crests for the price of one
Next up is Emmanuel, which continues the animal theme, depicting a blue lion rampant holding a wreath of laurel with a scroll hanging above its head – a scene I’m sure we’re all familiar with. I do quite like the scroll because it looks just a little bit like a speechbubble, which amuses me. I’m not, however, convinced about the white background or the lion’s shade of blue. 7.5 / Just your average blue lion hanging out in a void F i n a l l y, w e have the Peterhouse crest. I think this one does a pretty good job: it sticks to a consistent colour scheme and there’s something about the
hoard of miniature crowns t h a t appeals to my eye. Yes, it could be a little more adventurous but it’s pretty solid. 8.1 / A crest which does the job, and does it with lots of of miniature crowns. S o t h e re w e a re : crests reviewed. Sorry if I didn’t include your favourite crest (I hope you’re not ‘crestfallen’). If you have anything you’d like me to write about, just let me know – you could l e a v e a s i n i s t e r, unsigned postcard in my pidge, or plant a range of wild flowers to spell out your message. The choice is yours. Anyway, I hope your term is going well and you have a lovely summer when it comes.
Cambridge Rambles by Anna Mochar, with illustrations by Lucy Xu
It is easy to feel crowded in by the narrow little alleyways and opulent buildings we move among in
Cambridge. As beautiful as the town centre is, it can be hard to find open space, and with it, the s p a c e t o b reat h e
freely. Venturing out into the surrounding countryside can be a great way to switch off and be reminded of a world outside
O r c h a r d Te a Garden in Grantchester!
the bubble. Now that spring has arrived, a ramble in our blooming, sunny surroundings is more enjoyable than ever. A classic choice for a reason, the six mile circular walk f r o m Cambridge to Grantchester promises all the b e n e fi t s o f a ramble while requiring little prior preparation. This
route is perfect for a spontaneous afternoon walk that can include a break at the famous
The path follows the river Cam all the way to G r a n t c h e s t e r, and places you in the middle of lovely, verdant nature, with some beautiful open views of the Cambridgeshire countryside. This is the perfect choice for a quick mind-clearing
break that will make your work feel far away. Another easy walk in the immediate vicinity of Cambridge is the ramble to Fen Ditton, along which there are many great pubs to make a stop at. Equally close and pleasant, the walk through Jesus Green, across Midsummer
Common, and then further along the river is a very easy and calming escape from the city centre! Both these walks allow you to see Cambridge from a different perspective. These two routes do not stray too far away from inhabited areas, but are nonetheless make for very relaxing walks. Finally, there are Hillwalking and R a m b l i n g societies, that organise weekly walks and even occasional weekend breaks! This is the perfect choice if you’re after a longer walk in unfamiliar surroundings, and really want to be in
the middle of nature. I’ve only experienced walks with t h e Ra m b l i n g society so far, but have really enjoyed the rambles I’ve been on. The pace is usually quite slow, and the walks relaxed, as expected. Th i s i s t h e r i g h t choice if you’re after
a day out i n n at u re , a s t h e rambles tend to begin quite early, with a bus or train taken from
Cambridge to various places in the surrounding countryside. Yo u can expect to return in the late afternoon/early evening, which allows for a total break and can help you mentally reset yourself for the following week of work. Whatever ramble you choose, now is the perfect time for it. Blooming t r e e s , wildflowers, a n d , h o p e f u l l y, m o r e frequent sunshine all entice us to get out of our rut and into nature
now that spring and early summer are well and truly on their way. surroundings is more enjoyable than ever.
What’s been on in Pembroke? Some of Pembroke’s student societies tell us what they’ve been up to for the last term
Pembroke Politics, by Lucy Fairweather P e m b ro k e P o l i t i c s had a busy term of events this Lent. Former Cabinet Minister Lord Adonis kicked off our events on the topic of w h e t h e r B re x i t i s doomed, and answered so many questions that Savio had to rush him off to start formal on time! Next, Labour MP and former CUSU President Wes Streeting gave a great talk on the future of the Labour P a r t y. T h i s w a s followed by Jon Lansman who talked about his experiences organising on the Left
of the Labour Party and why he would t a l k a t P e m b ro k e Politics but not at the Cambridge Union! We were then joined by former Guardian editor Alan Rusbridger who told us about his time editing a national paper and what’s in store for the future of journalism. Freelance journalist Marie Le Conte talked to us about technology in Westminster and enlightened us on how political gossip works. Mail on Sunday columnist Peter Hitchens gave a packed-out talk on
(Image credits below to Harry Taylor, and illustration on the right by Jess Beaumont)
why marijuana should not be legalised to many of our normal attendees and perhaps the whole of CUCA. Our final event was Martin Rowson, Guardian cartoonist, who talked about the 35,000 year history of Visual Satire. Applications for the new committee will be posted on Facebook over the summer.
The Lent PoohSoc Diary, by Cal Hewitt New Year’s Eve. These are troubled times. It’s come to light that impostors are in our midst and have founded a socalled Cambridge University Pooh Sticks Club. The Emergency Impostor Mitigation Committee resolves to hide under bridge in punt and fish Poohsticks from water. Any further d i ff e re n c e s t o b e
settled over a round of the Noble Sport. Some weeks have passed Poohsoc finds itself all in the same place at the same time. The committee elections are concluded. The Impostors are absent. Newcomers arrive and affirm their membership with a sip from the Sacred Chalice. We Sing Ho for the life of a Bear.
Sunday morning The Society embarks on an Expotition to discover the Sacred Texts, rumoured to be k e p t i n t h e Wre n L i b r a r y. Our suspicions are correct and we’re able to examine the first page of The House at Pooh Corner in Mr M i l n e ’s v e r y o w n autograph. Possibly Tuesday Final meeting of term. Record attendance of three. We engage in a disputation on how A. A. Milne probably pronounced Latin and agree a Correct Diction with which to utter the Society Motto. Clever Plans are hatched for the months to come. Come to PoohSoc this term for dependable tea and biscuits, the May Week Drunken Poohsticks Match, and our expotition to the
Hundred Acre Wood.
PCBC End-of-Lent Roundup, by John Hudson The first race of the term was the Winter Head-toHead, into which P e m b r o k e entered three crews. M2 started strong, finishing third in their division and second among the M2 crews. W1 and W2 both rowed well, finishing 8th and 3rd in their respective categories. This gave all involved invaluable racing experience. We were pleased to have an excellent turnout at Pembroke Regatta, with nearly 1000 rowers taking part. Congratulations especially to our own M2 who won their division. LENT BUMPS 2019 In a highly
competitive top of the first division, M1 had to be satisfied with four row overs. Although this was disappointing for the crew, they showed that their standards are on par with the fastest in Cambridge. Given a slightly nervous start to the term, W1 progressed amazingly. They made light work of more experienced crews to progress three places up the bumps chart, only being denied blades by a technical
(Image credits to PCBC)
row-over on day three, where they had gained on all three boats ahead of them. M2 have shown throughout the term that there is real depth to the Men’s squad – winning Pembroke Regatta, Newnham Short Course and Robinson Head in their respective divisions. W2 was almost exclusively formed out of rowers who noviced in Michaelmas, and they
made amazing progress. It was a cruel introduction to bumps, with some s t ro n g c re w s a n d even stronger winds, leading to a double overbump on day three. However, they were not to be defeated, and their bump on the final day
is a testament to their determination. The majority of M3 were novices taking the step up to racing in bumps. The crew were superb in qualifying to 7th in the M4 division, and so a row over on the third day means
(despite being bumped three times) the crew has gone up one position since the end of last year’s bumps. Although they could not race in bumps, our novices this term have formed strong W3 and M4 boats which look to be very competitive.
Pembroke’s going green by Hendrik Pröhl Lent Term tends to be the busiest for Pembroke Orchard Green Society (POGS) as we put on Green Week, and this year was no exception. Installations and events ranged from a map detailing clothes production and shipping, to plastic bottle-fish dangling from the JP ceiling, film & TV show screenings, to one vegan and one locally sourced formal. We
had a staff and student bake-off as well as planting in used vegware cups, reaching dozens of people, both in Pembroke and other colleges. All of this showed how simple it can be to make easy changes with great impacts in our daily behaviour, and the raised awareness that we all need to work towards protecting our
environment. Still, it was only one step in an ongoing discussion we need to keep having every day. To make sure Pembroke’s students are heard, we will have regular themed meetings to address specific issues and allow everyone to h a v e t h e i r s a y, starting with waste recycling and College food policies – stay tuned!
Pembroke’s Week of Women, by Maya Tutton For International Women’s Day this y e a r, t h e J o C o x Feminist Society teamed up with the GP Women’s Officer to put on a week of activities celebrating the women of Pembroke and the wider world. During the week we hosted a symposium with speakers to discuss the official
IWD theme: Balance for Better. Coming from academia, student politics and the business world, the panelists discussed different ways in which they believe balance can be achieved. Professor Bina Agarwal spoke about the importance of land and property rights for women in the Global South to
balance out economic and wider societal disparities, and our very own Evie Aspinall, now CUSU President, discussed how the imbalance of power within University structures made her job all the more difficult. On the day itself, we hosted an IWD formal open to all which celebrated the
women of the College, from the students to the fellows to the staff.
Inside ‘The Panel’, by Tek Kan Chung
Having the female staff of the college attend the dinner and be thanked for all of their incredible work they do was especially important to us. The week’s activities served to highlight not only how far we’ve come in the 35 years since women were let into the college but also how much still needs to be d o n e i n o rd e r t o achieve a truly balanced world. Want to see your society featured? Contact the Pembroke Street team! (Image credits on the left to Maya Tutton, and on the right to Theodoulos Hadjimatheou)
"The Panel" is a panel discussion society started this year by Robert and Tek with the aim to see what six Cambridge students (panelists) can come up with on an intellectual, political or philosophical question, and through doing do, to demonstrate the power of constructive discussions with people of different viewpoints and disciplines. We hope to engage with the
wider student body and we welcome people from all backgrounds. Out of the six public panel events so far, the highlights include discussions on "Masculinity and Femininity" and “Human Gene Editing". This is the place to be if you're willing to tackle the hardest questions in depth and not settling for simple answers. (Usually every Sunday 7 9pm, Nihon Room)
Carving out space for meditation: looking after yourself in a Cambridge term When you’re scared @pembrokestreet of your own mind, you very quickly develop a deeply a m b i v a l e n t relationship with respite. Through my last two terms in Cambridge, respite was something that I simultaneously coveted and feared. I felt I was swinging between extremes: on the one hand, I was drowning in all the extracurriculars I had overcommitted myself to and wanted to sleep the rest of the term away; on the other, I was genuinely scared that free time meant sitting in my
room with nothing but my thoughts keeping me company. This was the state of mind I was in when I decided to give mindfulness a shot, even though I was sceptical about how effective it would be. Meditation felt like something that traditionally only the religious did and I didn’t want to jump on a bandwagon, treating it as just another temporary fad. But after trying the guided meditations
offered by the Headspace app, I realised that a much less intimidating way to think about mindfulness is to simply see it a curious but calm exploration of my own mind that seeks to rebuild a healthier relationship with myself and, by extension, with respite. It can be incredibly easy to feel guilty for taking a break in Cambridge, but the H e a d s p a c e meditations helped me enter a time and space where I could
take a break without feeling guilty. The advice in each session suspended my daily worries and anxieties, kept them at bay for just a bit, and allowed my mind to enter a state of rest, even if it was only for 10-15 minutes each day. The meditations aren’t always easy: when all falls silent and I am left with just my mind, it is easy to overthink and get anxious about whether I am doing meditation “right ” and consequently, whether even these short 15 minutes are best spent on a meditation. I try to convince myself that this is essentially a 15-minute “sunk cost” and so, rather
than worrying about how it might be a waste of time, I might as well enjoy it while it lasts. And more often than not, the meditation is useful and even enjoyable: as it encourages me to focus on the sensation of b r e a t h i n g , something we constantly do but always take for granted. It also recommends, for instance, thinking about meditation like watching cars drive by on a busy road - just as we don’t normally brood about whether we are watching the cars in the “right” way and simply just watch, we can also simply
pause present.
and
be
To say that mindfulness has helped me cope with the intensity of Cambridge life is not to say that onus is therefore solely on individuals to figure out how to cope: if reports about how millennials are the “ b u r n - o u t ” generation and frequent calls for the University to review its term structure are anything to go by, the underlying causes of these problems are clearly systemic, and concerted effort is required to build ecosystems that better support our mental health. But in the process of seeking long-term
change, it can be easy to feel helpless as an individual caught up within these systemic problems, and I am thankful that mindfulness has helped me find my own peace of mind. There is a visualisation in Headspace which I particularly like: it uses the sky and the clouds as analogies for our minds and our thoughts and f e e l i n g s respectively. Mindfulness isn’t about creating a new state of mind but about rediscovering that c l e a r, b l u e s k y which has always been there at the back of our heads,
as long as we allow the clouds to roll by. What I have learnt from mindfulness is to trust my own mind: to understand and keep faith that this clear blue sky does exist, even during times when it may be temporarily clouded over by t h o u g h t s . Mindfulness is about building a positive relationship with our minds in the long run and it isn’t meant to be a quick fix. But I’d like to think that it is never too late to start developing what could hopefully become a lifelong habit: a habit that grants respite within the space of my very
own mind. A note: For those interested in e x p l o r i n g mindfulness, I personally think apps a n d w e b s i t e s a re easily accessible ways to explore mindfulness. But if you are looking for something more structured and intensive, the University runs mindfulness courses every term and the Cambridge Buddhist Centre also runs drop-in meditation sessions. There is also the Cambridge U n i v e r s i t y Mindfulness Society, for those who would like to practice mindfulness together with a group of friends!
by Jiayu Qiu, with illustrations by Jess Beaumont
Pembroke People: Amaani Ahmed and Lucy Fairweather In this edition, Catherine Lally chats to JPC Welfare (clockwise) from Han Chenxu, Sergei Officers past and present Images Maslennikov and Shefta Shifa on Unsplash The JPC welfare officer, along with the specific men’s and w o m e n ’s w e l f a r e officers, plays a crucial role at the heart of student life, supporting students and bringing welfare concerns to College. Amaani Ahmed and Lucy Fairweather view the role from different v a n t a g e points and experiences: with Lucy taking up the role last term, and
Amaani holding it for a year before then.
study session, puppy therapy.”
No Pembroke student is a stranger to the plethora of events that fall under the welfare officer’s remit (with many enjoying a particularly nice Headstart massage in the NCR last term for £5). Amaani organised weekly Zumba classes, and “tried to organise a n o t h e r event per week or fortnight, be that a picnic, alternative
JPC duties also come with the inevitable bop set-up and clearup twice a term, with Lucy having learnt that “drunk people love cheese sandwiches” and upping the welfareroom catering accordingly.
Both are keen to introduce students who may not be aware of College and University-level welfare services. Lucy tells readers to look out for “welfare posters coming to a communal area near you soon!” Meanwhile, Amaani r e c o m m e n d s checking out the ‘Little Welfare Guide’ – a booklet designed by the welfare officers “over the summer vacation last year,” as “a good source for signposting relevant help.” Working on the JPC comes with its own perks, with both Amaani and Lucy stressing the camaraderie that comes from working with other students. Lucy said she likes “the sense of
community there is within the JP, and the i n t e r- y e a r m i x i n g , which isn't something I'd experienced much o f b e f o re , ” w h i l e Amaani feels “it’s such a great way to feel more connected to the college and meet new people!”
which we’ve brought issues to senior of college that they’d been completely unaware of, so it’s nice to know that we’re initiating changes that probably wouldn’t have been otherwise.”
Through working on the JPC, they also meet with Pembroke’s Senior Tutor and the other welfare officers every fortnight.
Reflecting on her time on the JPC, Amaani said that “one thing that has stood out the most to me is how difficult it is to actually make any substantial changes within the college,” and added that while she looked to improve “the
Amaani adds that her favourite thing about the JP “is probably the fact that it gives the students a real chance to make their v o i c e s heard in college.” “ T h e r e have been a few occasions in
college’s provisions for pastoral support (i.e. counselling and the tutor system)” and some improvements were made, “progress was much slower that I expected.” She adds, however, that “other members of the JP and most of the senior members of college were generally really receptive to any new ideas we may put forward”. In addition to events that build up a sense of College community, Amaani and Lucy both point out structural changes t h a t
could address welfare issues a m o n g Cambridge students on a larger scale. Lucy says that if she were able to make any changes, she would “try and increase UCS ( U n i v e r s i t y Counselling Service) provision, because at the moment the waits can be in excess of several weeks, which isn't helpful if you've got an issue that's significantly affecting your life.” This is echoed by Amaani, who adds that “people might have to wait over half a term to be seen, by which time their issue may have got a lot worse.”
A Cambridge term can no doubt be filled with enough pressures to make individual student welfare an urgent concer n. Away from family, many turn to their close friends – who in turn may become a surrogate Pembroke family. Amaani and Lucy leave us with some valuable advice, with A m a a n i highlighting that, “the most
Images (bottom) by Annie Spratt and (top) Janko Ferlic on Unsplash
important thing to remember is that you shouldn’t think that you need to support your friend by yourself.” “There are so many provisions that can be accessed, like the college nurse, UCS, college counselling, JP welfare officers etc. that someone should not feel as though they are the only means of support for a friend with certain welfare issues. In the case of serious welfare concerns, I think it’s much better to try and signpost your friend to relevant support, rather than feel as though you have to manage it all on your own.”
Top-right is Amaani, and bottom-right is Lucy
cover artwork by heather corden
pembroke street is the student magazine of pembroke college, cambridge find us on instagram, facebook and on our website @pembrokestreet @pembrokestreetmagazine pembrokestreetmagazine.com