Annual Report & Review, A5 brochure, 128pp by Georgia King Design

2 017 Annual Report & New Hall Society Review

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Contents Murray Edwards College 2017 Annual Report Introduction................................................................................ 4

Academic excellence Attracting academically outstanding students..................................................................................... 6 Achieving educational excellence........................ 8 Library and archives....................................................... 10

Student life Developing students’ confidence........................ 14 News from the JCR............................................................ 16 News from the MCR.......................................................... 17 Supporting the graduate community............... 18 Sport at Murray Edwards.............................................20 Music at Murray Edwards............................................ 22 Murray Edwards Gardens........................................... 23

Creating a vibrant environment A wealth of time and talent....................................... 24 Collaborating with Men................................................ 26 New Hall Art Collection............................................... 28 On the Edge............................................................................. 31

New Hall Society Review 2017 Chairman’s Report............................................................. 50 What is the New Hall Society?................................ 53 Who are the New Hall Society Committee?.........................................................................54

Alumnae features Hidden, unwanted and scary – a call to ministry in the church....................................... 56 Uncharted seas: a memoir from 1993.............. 59 From New Hall Natsci to Tokyo Tailor............ 62 An ultra-late convert to cycling.............................64

Alumnae events Family Day 2017....................................................................68 1967: 50 years on................................................................. 70 Year of ’68 explore Shropshire............................... 71 MCR Committee of 2010: continued friendship............................................................................. 72 Save the date........................................................................... 73

Alumnae news News from our alumnae............................................... 74 Regional representatives...........................................112

Financial stability

Obituaries

Financial update................................................................. 32 Thank you..................................................................................34

A tribute to Pat Houghton (Slawson).............114 Lesley Pangburn................................................................119 Ruth Whitfield (Hirschel)........................................ 120

The Fellowship The Fellowship......................................................................36 Ediacaran Palaeontology............................................ 43 Making the NHS work better.................................... 45 Embodied cognition around 1800...................... 47

The New Hall Society Alumnae benefits............................................................ 123 New Hall Society AGM............................................... 124 Nomination form............................................................. 125 Acknowledgements....................................................... 126

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skills, such as preparing and giving a short speech, are useful for many careers.

This has been a strong year for the College: 93.5% of our finalists graduated with a first or 2:1, and this October saw the highest number of direct applicants to the College since at least 2008. We are also pleased that the New Hall Art Collection is increasingly recognised as a platform for modern contemporary art by women, and our groundbreaking Collaborating with Men research continues to inspire organisations to become more inclusive of women. Financially, with the strong support of alumnae, we are able to begin the renovation works in Orchard Court and plan to complete F staircase next summer. We still have a long way to go to be able to complete all six staircases. The next calendar year will be important for reflecting on women’s progress. In 2018, the UK will celebrate the centenary of women’s suffrage, and in the University it will be 70 years since the Statutes were amended to allow women to take degrees – a move which heralded the beginning of our own College, as New Hall in 1954. In both politics and University life, there is still much to be done. In February, we will be running a half-day workshop for students on ‘Women in Politics and Public Life’ to encourage them to think about those possibilities. We are partnering with a US non-partisan organisation which has trained thousands of young women. The

We continue working within the University to ensure that it is inclusive to all women students, not just our own. We are pleased that, thanks to the University’s ‘Breaking the Silence’ campaign, student to student sexual harassment can now be investigated appropriately at University level and procedures for staff/student harassment are being developed. This encourages everyone to challenge inappropriate behaviour. We also continue to discuss why it remains the case that proportionately more men than women leave with first class degrees – despite the University being about 50:50 in terms of representation and young women arriving with the same level of academic attainment as young men. The Gateway Programme continues to encourage our students in their confidence and risktaking but, as with the workplace, we need to ensure that the underlying systems, behaviours and biases are also tackled. As alumnae, I know many of you are also concerned that the workplace and the wider world still has not enabled gender equality. At the College, we are very aware of this and remain committed to ensuring our students have the confidence and self-belief to fulfil their ambitions – both at Cambridge and in the workplace. Dame Barbara Stocking President

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We continue working within the University to ensure that it is inclusive to all women students, not just our own

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Attracting academically outstanding students With 110 freshers, the 2017 intake at Murray Edwards is one of the largest and academically strongest in the College’s history. Our students, on average, achieved over 2.5 A*s at A Level, evidence of just how competitive entry to Cambridge is. We work hard to ensure that we are able to recognise both current achievement and potential to flourish at Cambridge and remain committed to widening participation. This year 68% of our Home students were from the State sector, exceeding the University’s target of 62-64%. We also surpassed the University’s other two admissions targets for widening participation which are focused on students from areas associated with low progression to Higher Education and to Cambridge in particular.

This year 68% of our Home students were from the State sector, exceeding the University’s target of 62-64%

The College has expanded its admissions team, with a new Admissions Tutor, Dr Andrew Spencer, who arrived in September 2016 and the creation of a new post, Senior Recruitment and Outreach Officer in September 2017, filled by Dr Hazel Collinson. Dr Spencer and Catherine Rowley, the Schools’ Liaison Officer, doubled the number of visits to schools last year and, with Hazel’s arrival, that activity should increase further. As well as maintaining all the College’s previous recruitment and outreach events, such as Pathways and She Talks Science, we added a Summer School for students from Low Participation Neighbourhoods and a Teachers’ Conference which provided information about admissions to Cambridge but also gave attendees insight into the important work that the College is doing in Cambridge and beyond to improve women’s education. Our efforts have paid dividends thus far, with our direct applications rising by 30% for entry in 2018. There is still much work to be done in order for us to reach our strategic target of 300 direct applications by 2021 but we have a great offering to make to students as a College whose purpose is to promote the ambitions and needs of women. With the help of our Head of Communications, Clare Stroud, we are getting that message

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across to our target audiences on a number of different platforms. We’re also adding new events this year in College, including a Summer School for Maths students to introduce them early to the STEP exam that all Maths offerholders need to take, and taster days for Modern Languages and History of Art. Our graduate community has expanded significantly over the past 15 years, and with it so has the need to be able to contribute to postgraduate funding in a meaningful way. One of the most successful ways we have recently been able to do this

is through various collaborations with the University. This involves ‘matching’ funding offered from other sources, including the Newton Trust, Cambridge Trust and other Research Councils, for both MPhil and PhD awards. These awards then go to the students ranked most highly by their Departments, ensuring that the very best students have a better chance at obtaining funding. Support for these schemes from alumnae donations has been crucial, and we hope to maintain, and even extend, these awards in the future. The benefits for the College’s graduate community are very clear.

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BETH MOSELEY

We have been especially delighted by our successes in collaborating with the Mathematics and Physics departments

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Achieving educational excellence The effort that we put into choosing the

While we continue to work to attract those newly appointed to Lectureships and other academic posts within the University, many of our biggest successes have come from collaborating with departments on linked posts. Given the College’s strategic aim of particularly working to increase the participation of women in STEM, we have been especially delighted by our successes in collaborating with the Mathematics and Physics departments and continue to work with others, including Engineering, to develop further posts. It is enormously rewarding to see the contribution that these new Fellows are already making. Promoting best practice and inclusive teaching amongst all our Fellows and those who supervise our students is another priority: this involves not only the important issue of gender, but also incorporates other aspects of background and experience. Dr Juliet Foster (Senior Tutor) has been

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very best students regardless of background needs to be matched with the effort we put into ensuring that those same students achieve their potential during their time at Cambridge. Part of this comes from a continued focus to enrich the Fellowship with a diverse range of academics across subjects.

involved this year in developing resources on addressing issues such as implicit bias across the wider University, and we have established initiatives to consider how these issues affect the College, focusing most recently on the evaluation and assessment of students’ work. As newly appointed Deputy Senior Tutor, Dr Paola Filippucci is taking a lead on developing and extending this programme. Associated with this, we have organised ‘Flying Start’ programmes in both Engineering, led by alumnae Jenny Mant (New Hall, 1969) and Professor Denise Morrey (New Hall, 1979), and in Modern and Medieval Languages, led by Fellow in German Dr Charlotte Lee.

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Library and archives Following on from our UX (User

Recurrent themes that emerged from these interviews included: apathy on the part of the students to report problems; lack of awareness of certain library resources; and a marked difference of requirements and preferences between students in different subject areas. The language, arts and social sciences students valued the ambience and comfort in the library, mentioning lighting, coloured cushions, radiators under tables, sofa area and the variety of table types to choose from. The STEM students, however, saw the library as a functional space requiring specific software, less noise, and new equipment such as whiteboards. We are now looking into resolving some of the findings over this current year to improve our offering for students. The Librarian and Assistant Librarian subsequently spoke about their research during a Show and Tell session at the UXLibsIII conference in Glasgow in June 2017. During Easter term we established a weekly craft hour, “Just Craftin’ Around”, to encourage students to relax and take

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Experience) project last year, library staff undertook student interviews in the Dome to further understand the work, study habits and preferences of our students and to find out where we (as their College library) fitted in.

We established a weekly craft hour to encourage students to take a break

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a break during this busy and often stressful term. The craft hour was just one part of a programme of pastoral activities put on by the library to help relax students and promote wellbeing. Lovely comments were received from the students, who appreciated the break and a chance to learn something different.

We had originally planned to implement a replacement library management system called Alma in September 2017, however it was later decided to change this to January 2018 to enable further testing. This system will involve new loan and fine parameters, which were chosen from within a range set by the University Library to involve the least amount of change for students.

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Below: Ascending Form (Gloria) by Barbara Hepworth

The Archivist & Records Manager supported the Bursar in the College’s work towards compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), due to come into force in May 2018. This involved the Archivist & Records Manager completing personal data audits for all departments to determine the nature of the personal data held by each, the sharing and transmission of that data, and which systems were being used to store that personal data. These audits contributed towards the creation of data protection statements for each department. As part of the 2017 Open Cambridge and Alumnae Weekends, library staff once again gave a joint tour alongside the Art Curator and Head Gardener: Artscape – the Juxtaposition of Architecture and Landscape at Murray Edwards College. The tour was well received and gave participants the chance to view archive material showing the gardener’s entry to the Chelsea Flower Show and the installation of the sculpture Ascending Form (Gloria) by Barbara Hepworth in the College grounds.

The language, arts and social sciences students valued the ambience and comfort in the library. The STEM students, however, saw the library as a functional space, requiring specific software, less noise and new equipment

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Developing studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; confidence This year, Dr Kathy Kingstone took over the running of the very successful Gateway Programme from Dr Hilarie Bateman. The Gateway programme was established to ensure that the young women studying with us are able to make the most of their time at Cambridge, no matter what their background. Initially, the programme focuses on academic progress but this later expands to cover personal development and preparation for leadership roles and careers. This year we expanded the programme by adding workshops at both the start and towards the end of a studentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time in Cambridge. In the few days before the start of term, we ran two Flying Start Programmes for incoming first year students in Engineering and Modern and Medieval Languages, as well as a new programme for students who are about to enter their final year which helps them to prepare for the transition from University to the workplace. This new programme was developed following feedback from alumnae on what it would have been helpful to know when they started their careers. It was attended by 18 students, and was delivered by a professional leadership and development coach, whose mother is an alumna of the College.

In addition to developing their skills through the Gateway sessions themselves, the programme also aims to inspire our students to undertake exciting endeavours via Gateway Challenges funding. In 2017 we were able to make Gateway Challenges awards totalling almost ÂŁ25,000. This has helped 69 Murray Edwards students to take part in activities around the world, including volunteer work in Argentina and Nepal; a conference in the USA; research projects in Poland and Germany; language courses in Italy and France; summer programmes in the Netherlands and China; Modern Pentathlon training in the Dominican Republic and independent travel to many other exciting places. For some students, this represents their first opportunity to travel overseas or independently. We also supported students to explore potential career paths and negotiated internships for students in: publishing at Quantum (part of the Quarto group);

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In 2017 we were able to make Gateway Challenges awards totalling almost ÂŁ25,000. This has helped 69 Murray Edwards students to take part in activities around the world

the not-for-Profit sector at DHIVERSE; research and programme management at Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning; the financial sector at Sandaire; and education at the National Extension College. We also supported a range of work shadowing places and self-sourced internships. The Gateway programme involves many academic staff at the College but also relies heavily on the ongoing support of alumnae, whose contribution greatly enriches the programme and for which we are very grateful. We look forward to continuing to run this successful programme, and ensuring that it continues to evolve in line with the changing needs of our students.

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News from the JCR The JCR began their year by purchasing new equipment for the gym, spurred on by Sports Officer Kate. Additionally, the Junior Treasurer Hennie heeded her predecessorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s advice to take JCR banking online, working with the Bursar and Barclays in the process. This has made a huge difference to the efficiency of JCR reimbursements. Along with this, the Bar Officer India has begun planning a new design of the bar as part of her goal to make the bar a place for everyone to relax in. We plan to get this underway over Christmas with the help of the College. The wider-scale projects that the JCR have been involved in are the introduction of gender neutral loos around College, encouraging the update of the transgenderism policy, and the new MECSU Facebook

Page guidelines. Having encountered some difficulties with the last project, the JCR were incredibly grateful for the support of the College in reaching a solution and progressing forward with a positive outcome. In the upcoming term, the JCR will be working with CUSU to produce a short video about Murray Edwardsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; JCR and its spaces around the College to showcase the amazing sense of community we have here. We will also be working with College on the installation of the online room draw and licensing. This is an exciting new step and, once the shortcomings have been overcome, will hopefully prove successful for both College and students. Miranda Nicholson second year History of Art student and JCR President, 2017-2018

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News from the MCR The MCR remains committed to providing an academically stimulating but socially varied environment in which our graduate students live and study. The last academic year saw a number of social activities, ranging from an MCR bop and a Green Formal Hall (in which only local produce was served and a vegetarian meal was the default option) to more informal social events focusing on cultural and religious diversity â&#x20AC;&#x201C; including a Ramadan dessert night, Chinese New Year celebration, a Passover dinner and Easter Egg painting. We also continued our popular Grad Symposia, in which graduates and postdoctoral Fellows present their research, and were proud of the fascinating range of research shared and stimulating discussions that followed.

We have recently handed over to a new MCR committee, who are all individually enthusiastic and brimming with ideas about their areas of responsibility. We are aiming to introduce an improved recycling system, increase the number of academic events for students, and increase emphasis on including those students who are at risk of being excluded â&#x20AC;&#x201C; whether because they have families, are doing PHDs or are living out of College. We look forward to another prosperous year for the graduate community at Murray Edwards College. Antonia Schrader PhD student in Classics and MCR President, 2016-2017 Ellen Robertson PhD student in Psychology and MCR President, 2017-2018

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Supporting the graduate community The graduate community at Murray Edwards continues to diversify, attracting students from a wide range of fields, countries, educational backgrounds and phases of life for part-time and full-time masters and doctoral degrees across the sciences, social sciences and humanities. Our mature students, returning to University and College life after years in a career, enhance the graduate community with their real-world experience and professional expertise, complementing the diverse skillset of students continuing straight on from their

What makes Murray Edwards stand out is that we are deeply committed to womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s education and in promoting the futures of women leaders

Bachelors or Masters degrees. This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s intake of 75 new graduate students came close to reaching the Collegeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s agreed upper limit of 80 new students per year, which enables the College to maintain a balance of undergraduate and graduate students and remain personalised. Murray Edwards upholds its reputation as a Cambridge College that is truly committed to its graduate students, provides individual support, and both understands and respects that graduates may have many commitments aside from their studies. Students are assigned to a team of dedicated graduate Tutors, including a newly appointed Tutor for Clinical School students, Dr Simon Bulley. In addition, the Graduate Gateway programme helps new students to understand academic life at Cambridge and assists graduate students to develop personally and professionally through skills and career building workshops. A vibrant and professional MCR (graduate committee) continues to organise weekly and termly events for the graduates and has already started planning for the annual Graduate Symposia held in Lent term, which is now also accompanied by a PostdocGraduate Symposium in Easter term. The MCR work closely with the Executive Graduate Tutor and College to ensure

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activities reflect the ethos of the College and support women’s personal, academic and professional development. Graduates’ lives at Murray Edwards are also enhanced by other aspects of the College, such as use of the garden, access to the delicious fruit and vegetables grown by the College, daily meals and weekly Formal Halls in the Dome, use of the College facilities and graduate accommodation on campus. In addition, the Graduate Research Fund and Academic Needs fund contribute financially to assist students in need of monetary assistance with travel and related costs linked to presenting their

work at conferences, as well as with essential academic and fieldwork costs. What makes Murray Edwards stand out, especially to those students in fields traditionally dominated by males, is that we are deeply committed to women’s education and in promoting the futures of women leaders. As one recent graduand advised to new graduate students at the College: “Embrace this experience. It is an experience unlike any other. It’s a great achievement. It’s a life-defining choice.” So we look forward to continuing to spread this ethos and support our diverse graduate students on their journeys as present and future leaders.

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DAVID ROGERS/GETTY IMAGES EUROPE

Sport at Murray Edwards The College has seen a number of individual and team sporting successes this year. Suzanne Goulder (pictured above, top left) secured a World Championship title at the 2017 Student Powerlifting World Championships in South Africa; four Murray Edwards students represented the University team in a victorious performance in the Greene King IPA Twenty20 Varsity cricket match (pictured above, bottom left); and Kate Marks (pictured above, top right) participated in the University Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Rugby Varsity at Twickenham, alongside other strong performances in a wide range of sports for the University squads. At a more social level the participation numbers within the College sports teams, ranging from badminton to football, has

been consistently high. This has ensured strong performances within the cuppers competitions. The College JCR committee has recently been working in collaboration with the College staff to ensure that the gym facilities are up to date. The new provision aims to reflect what students want for training at both a recreational and a University level. As a result of this, the gym is now equipped with a free weights section, squat rack and barbells. This now sits alongside the preexisting cardio equipment enabling more students to do their training within the College environment. Kate Marks second year History student and JCR Sports Officer 2017-2018

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Music at Murray Edwards Murray Edwards Music Society has seen huge developments over the past few terms. At the beginning of the Easter term 2017, we presented some high quality performances in the weekly recital series from instrumentalists around Cambridge, such as Joe Cowie (double bass) and Aditya Chander (violin), as well as another popular film night, showing Whiplash. Michaelmas saw the appointment of Dr Mark Gotham as Director of Music and a range of new initiatives. The recital series runs under the new name ‘Music at Medwards on Mondays’ and features both the best

We presented some high quality performances in the weekly recital series from instrumentalists around Cambridge

student musicians of the university (most recently including members of the King’s College Choir, and holders of the coveted ‘Instrumental Awards’), as well as one topflight professional per term. Running alongside the recitals is the new ‘Humanist Happenings’ series on Sunday evenings. This is Murray Edwards’ secular take on Cambridge’s chapel service scene, providing a time to reflect with poetry, thought-provoking talks, and music in a non-religious environment. The choir for this venture,‘Inter Alios’, is also new. This is one of the flagship ensembles for the College and will represent Murray Edwards with a professional concert at the world-famous venue of St Martin in the Fields on 8th May 2018 – a fantastic and exciting opportunity. This academic year has already seen such high quality music making at Murray Edwards, and we look forward to what promises to be another fruitful year for the Music Society. Caroline Grint Music Society President

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Murray Edwards Gardens Murray Edwards’ gardeners went visiting another College and came back with wideeyed tales of a Bothy where two women gardeners were spending the last hours on Friday sharpening their chainsaws – a very technical task where each tooth is rasped by hand in a jig to the correct angle.

That means we are looking at new developments in machinery like batterypowered hedge cutters, lighter mowers and modern systems for working at height. We have made our famous pots which line the entrance portico lighter by putting plants in plastic sleeves. Come to think of it, everyone benefits from a better designed workplace and better training. That’s just good management and we are doing it now. Jo Cobb Head Gardener

PETER KIRKHAM, GARDENER

After that, we all began to think of stereotypes and how we could get rid of them. I was the only woman head gardener out of all the Colleges for very many years. Now there are three of us but more needs to be done so that people coming into gardening can have equality of opportunity and we can recruit the most talented gardeners without bias.

Pictured: gardener Amy Spencer

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A wealth of time and talent Many aims of the College strategic direction for 2014-2018 and our future plans require engagement and support from alumnae, not least to raise the profile of the College, encourage applications and in the gifts of time to support activity with students. Alumnae are an important community and are the College’s greatest ambassadors. As we celebrate the 62nd year of the College, we recognise that the alumnae body spans many generations and has varied needs and interests. The differing demands of careers and families mean that alumnae want different ways to keep in touch with each other and with the College. To ensure that all alumnae feel the mutual benefit of this lifelong relationship, this year we worked with members of the New Hall Society Committee to explore ways the College could be useful to alumnae at different stages of their lives – e.g. through mentoring, larger

professional networks and more relevant events. In today’s ever-changing world, it’s more important than ever to remain connected and that’s why we want to ensure you know that we are here for you. We remain indebted to the alumnae who give their time and talent to support our current students, the future of the College. Many have acted as mentors, spoken at Gateway sessions, provided internships, given careers advice on Skype or in person, served on committees, and provided their expertise as editors of various College publications. We’re also grateful for every attendee at alumnae events in Cambridge and around the world. Without your presence, there is no sense of community. This year, we tried to speak to all year and local alumnae representatives to explore how we can better help them to serve their

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In today’s ever-changing world, it’s more important than ever to remain connected and that’s why we want to ensure you know that we are here for you

communities. We will be working closely with New Hall Society Committee to provide more regular communications and support to host regular events. There are some year groups without a representative, so please do let us know if you’d like to take on this role for your year. We would especially like to record our thanks to the members of the New Hall Society Committee. The alumnae who serve are the ‘voice of alumnae’ and an important conduit between the members of the Society and the College. The committee are listed on page 119 and can be contacted at newhallsocietycommittee@murrayedwards. cam.ac.uk.

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Collaborating with Men Since we launched our Collaborating with Men research in late 2016, it has continued to gather momentum. Increasing numbers of organisations in the UK, and some internationally, are interested in our findings about the workplace culture issues that are affecting womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s career progression. Dr Jill Armstrong, Bye Fellow at Murray Edwards College and programme lead, has presented the findings to 43 organisations individually â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and reached many more in her presentations at 14 womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s network and leadership conferences. Due to demand, in July we launched a follow-up

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report at a meeting hosted by KPMG. The report provides practical tips about how to implement our recommendations, which includes reverse mentoring and bystander training, and has been well-received thus far. The next stage of Collaborating with Men is to work with individual organisations to drive change. This starts with a survey which will be used within the organisation to benchmark the issues and identify the problem areas, followed by a workshop to kickstart action. So far, seven organisations

have committed to this and many more organisations from the private and public sectors are expected to participate We are also thrilled that Jason Ghaboos, Deputy Director at the Home Office, will be joining us on secondment as a Bye Fellow from March 1st 2018 to help further spread the word. Jason has been a huge advocate of the programme and has made great progress himself in implementing it within his team in the Home Office, so he will be a real asset.

Madonna Cascade by Rose Garrard

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New Hall Art Collection The last twelve months have been very exciting for the New Hall Art Collection, as we continue to provide a platform to showcase works by women and raise awareness of issues affecting women artists. Most notably, we have applied to become an Accredited Collection with the Arts Council which, were it to be granted, would mean that we are considered a sustainable, trusted and focused organisation. Completing the application for Accreditation has brought into focus just how

unique and special it is to have a Collection that is very much â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;livingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and part of life for the students, staff and Fellows who live and work here. How our visitors experience the Collection is something we want to explore more in coming months. Below and overleaf, alumna Jenny Sweeney (Digby), New Hall, 1964, starts by reflecting on what the Collection means to her. Eliza Gluckman Curator

Alumna Perspective Jenny Sweeney (Digby), New Hall, 1964

I was in my second year as an undergraduate when the New Hall building opened. It was magnificent, a domed hall and a statement library, modernist, with clean lines, light, long vistas, but it was also bleak, with corridors and the main walkway open to the fenland winds. Like many other students my graduate life was overtaken by work, marriage, family, career. It was some time before I revisited New Hall, now known as Murray Edwards College.

I vividly remember walking into the dining hall and seeing 16 large canvases beautifully displayed against white walls. Some by well-known artists, Maggi Hambling CBE, Dame Paula Rego, Eileen Cooper RA, and others whose names were unfamiliar. The corridors and walkways, now glassed in, were lined with paintings, wonderful gallery space and the garden was graced with a Barbara Hepworth sculpture. But perhaps more importantly there were paintings on the stairways and corridors of the student accommodation. This is an Art Collection but one which is fully integrated into College life.

Clockwise from right: Ines de Castro by Paula Rego; Perpetual Spring by Eileen Cooper; Three Streams by Amaranth Ehrenhalt

My favourite work is a painting, by Rose Garrard, Madonna Cascade, which hangs on the end wall of the lower corridor. The painting, a copy of a self-portrait by a 17th century Dutch artist, Judith Leyster, is framed by delicate figures of the Madonna, made in white plaster by Rose Garrard, which cascade from the frame to the ﬂoor becoming more spirited as they fall. The frame represents the restrictive roles imposed on women and those which they might follow if they had freedom. The New Hall Art Collection was started in 1991 by President Dr Valerie Pearl and expanded during the presidency of Anne Lonsdale. With works donated by artists or gifted by alumnae, the Collection now has over

550 artworks, the largest collection of art by women in Europe. Eliza Gluckman, the current curator, in post since June 2015, has curated several exhibitions, and given and presented lectures on the Collection, including Guerrilla Girls. The next step is to obtain Accredited Status, which will set the Collection on a par with other public galleries, enabling us to borrow and loan works. But for me, it is already a step above them, because it is a ‘living’ Gallery, an integral part of the life of the College and its students. Do visit, and plan to come more than once, the Collection is never static, there are always new works to see.

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On the Edge Last April marked the end of Capitalism on the Edge, a two year lecture series which explored whether capitalism could change enough to gain the acceptance of the public. It was fascinating to explore this theme at a time when the world itself changed so much; the Brexit referendum and the election of President Trump led to much debate about what people thought about capitalism, especially the global trading systems and its impact on jobs. In recognition of this, we compiled the lectures into a book and gave each speaker the opportunity to reflect on the topics they discussed and, if necessary, provide an update. If you are interested in purchasing a copy of the book, please contact Sarah Greaves: skg22@cam.ac.uk

The Brexit referendum and the election of President Trump led to much debate about what people thought about capitalism

Capitalism on the Edge was designed by Evelin Kasikov.

By the end of Capitalism on the Edge, we realised that the world was on the edge in lots of ways â&#x20AC;&#x201C; so we decided that our next series will focus on how we are at a tipping point in general. It will be called Just on the Edge and kicks off in January with a lecture from Tony Juniper: Entering the Anthropocene. Has humankind already fallen over the edge? Kate Raworth follows in February, with her lecture How to design a 21st century economy. More speakers and lectures will be announced on our website: www.murrayedwards.cam.ac.uk/ about/capitalism-edge.

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Financial update The Financial Result of the College for 2016/17 was satisfactory with a performance comfortably ahead of budget. As with last year, this is not very detectable in the accounts officially filed under FRS102 which obscures the underlying performance of the College. We use a more useful management accounts analysis for operational control in finance, and these are the figures shown below. Of particular note last year was the performance of the College’s investment portfolio which was strong under the management of CCLA, appointed in the summer of 2016. After strong recent performance in the Conferencing business, 2016/17 was weaker but has come back with an excellent start to the 2017/18 season.

On the property side the College continues to put significant money into maintenance, chipping away at the backlog. Although it was disappointing that we were unable to proceed with a major staircase refurbishment in Orchard Court in the summer of 2017 we have now been able to commit to refurbishing a whole staircase in 2018. This is only achievable thanks to the generosity of alumnae and other donors. An important milestone was also achieved in June 2017 when the College repaid a portion of its long-term debt and it will continue to do so in annual amounts to ensure that it is paid down in a timely manner. The College’s endowment is now its most valuable ever.

INCOME

2017

2016

2015

TOTAL: £8.7M

TOTAL: £8.1M

TOTAL: £7.7M

2017 2016 2015

ACADEMIC FEES AND CHARGES RESIDENCES, CATERING AND CONFERENCES ENDOWMENT (INC. LTCT GIFTS & GILL ROYALTIES DONATIONS OTHER INCOME

F I N A N C I A L S TA B I L I T Y

Investment assets at June 2017 were worth £58m. The income from these assists in the fundamental charitable objective of learning, education and research in particular benefitting each undergraduate each year by more than £5,000. The College still has to take great care of its financial resources and we try to run a tight ship as we play catch-up with the longer established Colleges and try to enhance our overall endowment wealth. I am assisted in this by a dedicated and effective staff to whom I offer my sincere gratitude for the hard work of the last year.

SURPLUS

2017 (£)

2016 (£)

2015 (£)

Surplus before transfers (to) / from restricted funds

£0.3M

£0.0M

£0.4M

Transfers (to) / from restricted funds

(£0.4M)

£0.0M

(£0.1M)

Surplus retained within general reserves

(£0.1M)

£0.0M

£0.3M

Robert Gardiner Bursar

EXPENDITURE

2017

2016

2015

TOTAL: £8.4M

TOTAL: £8.1M

TOTAL: £7.3M

EDUCATION

2017 2016 2015

RESIDENCES, CATERING AND CONFERENCES FUNDRAISING GENERAL ADMINISTRATION

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Thank you We are incredibly grateful to all alumnae and friends who have supported the College financially in the last year. Over £1.2 million in gifts and pledges were received for the work of the College – an outstanding amount representing gifts from over 500 donors. Our students enjoy speaking to alumnae a great deal, especially during the annual telephone campaign. In September 2016 we raised more than £254,000 – a significant increase on the previous year. Most gifts were given for ‘College Priorities’ and have therefore been allocated to the major renovation project of Orchard Court. Your gifts made in the last year, plus the pledges made for the future, have ensured that we will be able to complete the

In September 2016 we raised more than £254,000 – a significant increase on the previous year

renovation of one of three staircases in the summer of 2018. This is not a moment too soon, as we are acutely aware that the quality of accommodation is very important for potential applicants. We want to ensure that all students have high quality, safe and comfortable spaces to live and study. The original 1960s buildings are now past their best and although significant structural works were undertaken 15 years ago, the internal condition of the rooms will now get the attention they deserve. Many gifts have supported students directly through the Rosemary Murray Fund. Over £200,000 was raised in the last financial year for students in the form of awards for academic success, Blues awards, support for the costs of internships and placements, and hardship. We were also very grateful to Dr John Morris, the widower of the late Dr Liz Acton, for a very significant gift to establish a linked post with the Department of Engineering. The post holder will be a role model for women in engineering and will work across the College and the Department to encourage and retain women studying the subject. The Roll of Donors for 2016-2017 will be included in the next copy of our annual Report to Donors. Warm thanks to everyone who has given of their time, talent and treasure.

MARTIN BOND

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The Fellowship 1998

PRESIDENT Stocking Barbara Mary DBE MA MS

FELLOWS

1979

Lyne Raphael Thomas Richard MA PHD

1999 Drayson Elizabeth Anne MA PHD

2001

Huang Christopher Li-Hur MA PHD MD SCD PROFESSORIAL FELLOW

Bennett Wendy Margaret Ayres MA PHD PROFESSORIAL FELLOW

1984

2002

Guthrie John David PHD

Forster Peter MA PHD

1992 Filippucci Paola MPHIL PHD Horrell Sara Helen PHD

2004 Turenne Sophie MA PHD

2006

1994 Sinnatamby Ruchira MA MB BCHIR

1995

Mellor Leo Gwilym MA PHD Cavaleri Nicola Constance MPHIL Callery Elizabeth Mary MA PHD

Henson Frances Margaret Daphne MA PHD VETMB

News from the Fellowship New Fellows The 2016-2017 academic year saw the appointment of eight new Fellows: Dr Emily Mitchell, as Henslow Research Fellow in Earth Sciences; Dr Therese Herling, as Research Fellow in Physical Natural Sciences; Dr Holly Krieger, as Corfield Fellow in Mathematics; Dr Sarah Williams, as

Fellow in Natural Sciences; Dr Andrew Spencer, as Admissions Tutor and Fellow in History; Dr Lydia Hamlett, as Fellow in History of Art; Dr Theodora Alexopoulou, as Fellow in Linguistics; and Dr Taufiq Rahman, as Fellow in Pharmacology. We are delighted by their contribution to the academic environment of the College.

THE FELLOWSHIP

2007 Christoffersen Poul PHD Piotrowski Alexander Matthew PHD Coakley Sarah Anne MA THM PHD PROFESSONIAL FELLOW

Hadeler Oliver PHD Pivnenko Mikhail PHD Pesaran Evaleila MSC

2009 Mundy Nicholas MA VETMB PHD Peters Martha Kate MAA PHD

2010 Preest-Wilson Kirsten Jane DIPILM MCLIP

2011

Professor Chris Huang was elected Fellow of the European Society of Cardiology and Fellow of the Physiological Society

Davey Emanuela Maria Ester PHD Polonsky Rachel Anne MA DPHIL

Departing Fellows This year also marked the departure of a number of Fellows, most notably Dr Hilarie Bateman – our former Admissions Tutor, who was also instrumental in establishing our ground-breaking Gateway programme. We are hugely grateful to her for all her work, the legacy of which will be

continued by Dr Kathy Kingstone, our new Tutor for Student Development. We were also sorry to see the following Fellows leave: Dr Kumar Aniket, Fellow in Economics; Dr Paolo D’Avino, Fellow in Pathology; Dr Alex Eggeman, Fellow in Materials Science; Dr Jasmine Kilburn-Toppin, Fellow in History; and Dr Marcus Morgan, Fellow in Sociology.

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2012 Lee Charlotte Louise MPHIL PHD Bavidge Jennifer MA PHD

Letzter Shoham MSC MAST Murray Odette Louise Murray LLM Maguire Geoffrey MA MLITT PHD

2016

2013 Leow Rachel PHD Morgan Marcus Roger MA MSC PHD Gardiner Robert Geoffrey MA FCA Foster Juliet Louise Hallam MA MSC PHD Wilson Zoe Elizabeth PHD Duffy Fiona BA Roland Martin BM BCH MA CBE

2014 Gasic Milica MPHIL PHD Bulley Simon John MA BMBCH Middleton Francesca MPHIL PHD Moore Marc Thomas LLB PHD Watson Aleksandra Anna DPHIL MBIOCHEM

2015

Mitchell Emily Geraldine Harmsworth PHD MRES

Herling Therese Windelborg PHD Krieger Holly PHD MS Williams Sarah PHD MSCI Spencer Andrew PHD Hamlett Lydia Kate MA CPGS PHD Alexopoulou Theodora PHD MSC Rahman Taufiq PHD MPHARM MSC

2017 Pires Ana Rita PHD Jones Nicola Lisa MA BMBCH Barda Jeff PHD Carter Laura Joyce MPHIL Block Juan MA PHD

Tucker Paul Gary DPHIL Matthews Gareth David Kingsley MA PHD MBS Delap Lucy Margaret PHD Willey Hannah PHD

Fellows’ achievements We continue to be inspired by the work of all in the Fellowship, and summarise here just a few of their many and varied achievements.

Funding Our Fellows’ research continues to attract significant funding. In February, Dr Milica Gasic, Fellow in Engineering, received a Google

Faculty Research Award for developing a large dialogue corpus. The award recognises “world class, permanent faculty pursuing cutting-edge research” and is highly competitive: only 15% of applicants secure funding, so this is a fantastic achievement for Milica. Similarly, Dr Frances Henson, Fellow in Veterinary Medicine, secured major grant funding from Innovate UK to

THE FELLOWSHIP

HONORARY FELLOWS

1973 Musgrave Thea MUSD CBE

1991 Johnson Christopher Michael Paley MA PHD

1996 Bell Burnell Dame Susan Jocelyn PHD (HON) SCD FRS DBE

1997 Rawson Dame Jessica Mary LITTD FBA DBE Bacon Jennifer Helen MA (HON)DSC CB

2000 Fukuda Haruko MA (HON)DSC OBE

2002 Shirley Dame (Vera) Stephanie DBE

2003

Dame Stephanie Shirley received double honours in 2017, being made Companion of Honour in the Queensâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Birthday Honours List and receiving an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Cambridge

Hambling Maggi CBE King Julia Elizabeth MA FRENG DBE

develop novel treatments for joint disease, and is also the UK lead on an EU Grant worth â&#x201A;Ź5.8m for funding to track stem cells in MRI. Dr Lucy Delap, Fellow in History, secured Leverhulme funding to embark on a research project on feminist publishing, which will be completed in collaboration with the British Library and will examine the publishing histories of Spare Rib and Virago.

International reach and recognition Many Fellows continue to share their research internationally, at conferences, in journals and in books. Dr Leo Mellor, Roma Gill Fellow in English, organised a major roundtable at the Modernist Studies Association conference in Amsterdam on The Long 1930s: Aeriality, Sensations, Language and Dr Holly Krieger, Corfield Fellow

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2007

EMERITUS FELLOWS

Thomas Jean Olwen MA SCD DBE FRS FMEDSCI

2008 Lonsdale Anne Mary MA CBE MacGregor Joanna Clare FTCL FRAMHON

1995 Lynden-Bell Ruth Marion MA PHD SCD FRS Pretty Katherine Bridget MA PHD Womack Joanna Mary MA

FRSA DBE

1997

2010 Stocking Barbara Mary DBE MA MS

2013

Steiner Zara Shakow MA PHD FBA Teichman Jenny Margaret MA Ryan Kiernan James Patrick MA PHD

1999

Rego Maria Paula Figueiroa DBE

Goody Esther Newcomb PHD SCD

2015 Husain Mishal Hajirah BA LLM Rees Vera Helen OBE MB BCHIR MA MRCGP DCH DRCOG

2005 Hardie Philip Russell MA MPHIL PHD Wilson Penelope Burke MA DPHIL

2016

2006

Cooper Eileen OBE RA FRCA HONFRCA DIPAD MA Cole Margaret Rose BA (HON)LLD

Hinde Joan Gladys Stevenson MA SCD PHD Lloyd Rosemary Helen MA PHD LITTD Rubery Jill Christine MA PHD

in Mathematics, gave a prestigious John Adams Institute lecture in Amsterdam. Dr Liz Drayson, Lorna Close Fellow in Spanish, published The Moor’s Last Stand: How Seven Centuries of Muslim Rule in Spain Came to An End which tells the story of Boabdil, the last Muslim King of Grenada and was named one of The Times best History books of 2017, and Dr Raphael Lyne Fellow in English, co-

edited a new edition of Shakespeare’s Poems, published by Routledge in the Annotated Poets series, with Professor Cathy Shrank of the University of Sheffield. Similarly, Dr Geoﬀrey Maguire, Research Fellow in Spanish, published his first book The Politics of Postmemory, which analyses works of literature, cinema, theatre and photography produced over the last decade and explores the theoretical

THE FELLOWSHIP

2007 Venkitaraman Ashok Ramakrishnan MA MB BS PHD

2009 Ardavan Houshang PHD Harris Harriet Euphemia MA PHD

2010 Bulkin Bernard Joseph PHD Wright Nicholas Rodney Molyneux MA

2012 Glen Heather Joan MA PHD

2014 Hiley Charles Robin MA PHD Strietman Elzelina Gretha Cornelia MA

2016 Saxton William Owen MA PHD

relevance of postmemory frameworks in the contemporary Argentine context.Â

Awards and accolades Other Fellows received awards and accolades in recognition of their contribution to their fields â&#x20AC;&#x201C; most notably, Professor Chris Huang and Professor Ruth Lynden-Bell. Professor Chris Huang was elected Fellow of the European Society of

Professor Ruth LyndenBell, Emeritus Fellow, received the prestigious Lennard-Jones prize from the Thermodynamic Conference Series this year

Cardiology (FESC), a title of honour awarded to healthcare professionals who have made a significant contribution to Cardiology, and also Fellow Physiological Society (FPHYSIO) in recognition of career progression, professionalism, and commitment to physiology. And Professor Ruth Lynden-Bell, Emeritus Fellow, who this year received the prestigious Lennard-Jones prize from

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BYE FELLOWS Turner Angelina PHD Turner Julia Mary MA PHD Spencer John Rason MA LLB LLD Chisnall David PHD Pairaudeau Natasha MA PHD Barford Anna MA PHD Gray Roger Frank MBBS LRCP FRCS MA Vaughan-Lane Timothy MB CHB FRCS Bell Charles John MacKinnon MA

Pearcey Sarah Michelle MBCHIR Einsle Joshua Franz PHD Fountain Daniel MBCHIR Hearn Timothy John PHD Liu Emma MESCI PHD Romano Beth PHD

MACADMED MSB

Tankasala Harika ME Watson Rob MENG PHD Cope Thomas MA MB BCHIR MRCP MCLINRES Hodge Stephen Anthony PHD Logan Corinna PHD Agrawal Neha PHD MSC Cahill Emma PHD MSC Armstrong Jill PHD Mancini Flavia PHD Kingstone Katharine DPHIL Bateman Hilarie MA PHD Gotham Mark Robert Haigh MMUS PHD Schechter Sarah MA Simmons Rebecca Kate MSC PHD

In the next pages, three Fellows share more information about their research: Dr Emily Mitchell, Dr Charlotte Lee, and Professor Martin Roland

the Thermodynamic Conference Series and gave the plenary lecture at 2017 conference on September 7th. In addition, the ILMAT 2017 conference marked the inauguration of the Ruth Lynden-Bell award which will be made in recognition of a working life trajectory in ionic liquids.

Outreach Outreach continued to be a focus

for our Fellows, with many Fellows supporting the College in its widening participation activities such as Pathways for Success and HE+ and at its open days. We are very grateful for their support. It is worth singling out Dr Sarah Schecter, Bye Fellow in Languages, who took part in language outreach events and activities which reached 80,000+ secondary school students.

THE FELLOWSHIP

Ediacaran Palaeontology

Palaeontology is the study of the history of life on Earth using fossils found in the rock record. While palaeontology is most frequently associated with digging up dinosaurs (such as Ross from the 90s sitcom Friends), current palaeontological research utilises techniques drawn from other scientific disciplines such as mathematics, computing and biology. This suite of different techniques means that while searching and finding new fossils remains important, there are a huge variety of different approaches that can be used.Â My research focuses on the origins of animal life â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the first large and complex organisms

in the fossil record, found around 600 million years ago during the Ediacaran time period. The anatomy of these Ediacaran organisms differs fundamentally from those found in any other time period, making it difficult to resolve their basic biology, such as their phylogenetic relationships, or their ecology. However, the preservation of these organisms is exceptional: thousands of fossils are preserved under volcano ash, so rather like Pompeii, entire communities are preserved where they lived. The oldest group of Ediacaran macro-fossils, the Avalon assemblage, contains almost exclusively non-mobile species, so that they could not escape these volcanic ash falls. As

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such, the positions of the fossils on the rock surface encapsulate their life-history. Therefore, by mapping out the positions, sizes and taxonomic identity of all the specimens on a fossilerferous surface, the entire community can be analysed. But mapping out Ediacaran fossil surfaces is tricky because the fossils are hard to see due to their low-relief â&#x20AC;&#x201C; often they are only visible with light angled in a very specific direction. So instead of photographing them, I utilise cutting-edge laser scanners normally used in aerospace to collect the fossil data from field sites in Newfoundland, Canada. The laser captures the entire fossil surface to a 40 micron resolution enabling the spatial and anatomical data to be extracted.

underlying processes. For example, comparison of the type of spatial patterns saplings make when clustering around their parent plant can be used to deduce the mode of Ediacaran reproduction. Similarly, comparison of the spatial patterns plants make when they preferentially grow in good quality soil can be used to deduce the presence of local habitat variations on Ediacaran organisms. Therefore, by using spatial analyses we can test hypotheses made about Ediacaran life, and work out what the key processes that governed these organisms were. The combination of laser scanning and spatial analyses enables me to detect, describe and understand what interactions were happening right at the start of complex macroscopic life on Earth.

To analyse this fossil data, I have imported spatial statistical methods normally used for forest ecology to determine the biological and ecological processes that affected these organisms in-life. These analyses can be used to resolve Ediacaran traits by comparing the fossil patterns to spatial patterns with known

Dr Emily Mitchell Henslow Research Fellow in Earth Sciences

THE FELLOWSHIP

Making the NHS work better It’s hard to open a paper without reading about the NHS’s latest crisis. My research – health services research – aims to make the NHS and other healthcare systems work better. Although in the UK we continually beat ourselves up about the NHS, many other countries face similar problems – quality of care which is too variable and the problem of rising costs. These problems aren’t new either. In a recent lecture on The History of NHS Politics, which you can watch at www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3nvsAMrriA, I showed that these problems have been with us from the very start of the NHS.

Professor Martin Roland CBE Fellow in Health Services Research

My main research focuses on how quality of care can be measured and how it can be improved. You may think you know whether you’ve had a good consultation with your GP, but how would those in charge of the NHS know whether you’re in a good practice or one that needs improvement? Who holds the NHS to account? My work in this area was influential in the development of the 2004 Quality and Outcomes Framework (‘QOF’), an incentive scheme which makes 20% of GP practice income dependent on the quality of care they provide. Data for QOF are extracted automatically from GP electronic records to measure things like how well their diabetics are controlled and whether they do regular checks on their patients with asthma.

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Most of our recommendations were taken up in NHS England’s 2016 GP Forward View which promises an extra £2.4bn for general practice by 2020

The scheme was ground-breaking at the time but is now due for a major refresh and one of my roles is advising government on how it should be updated. I also recently chaired a review for government on how to address the current crisis in general practice, with many practices facing unsustainable workloads. We concluded that while more GPs were needed, that wasn’t going to solve all the problems; practices needed to be larger and with a broader range of disciplines represented in multi-disciplinary teams. Most of our recommendations were taken up in NHS England’s 2016 GP Forward View which promises an extra £2.4bn for general practice by 2020, including: 5000 extra GPs;

a range of other staff to work in GP practices, such as 3000 mental health therapists, 1500 pharmacists and 1000 physician associates; and other initiatives to help both patients and doctors. The challenge for government now is to deliver on these promises. How do academics make a difference? In my case it’s through doing research which builds up a body of knowledge based on firm scientific data that then (sometimes) means my opinions are treated seriously. But, of course, policymakers and NHS managers don’t read scientific papers, so dissemination needs to be much broader than publishing in the academic literature. Often it’s a case of developing personal relationships with senior policymakers in government. This is most effective at getting one’s views across, but I don’t shy away from the media and I also blog and tweet – you can follow me @ProfRoland. It’s all part of trying to make research have an impact. In College, however, life is very different as I chair the Art Committee, so I help look after the New Hall Art Collection. We have a wonderful Curator, Eliza Gluckman, and some great volunteers who help with the hard work of keeping a collection of 550 works in order and mounting regular exhibitions. Self-guided tour notes are available at the Porters Lodge whenever the College is open – do come and look round! To acquire specific works by up-coming artists, we’re starting a ‘Collecting Collective’ – if you’d like to contribute, take part, and have a vote in the work we select, see www.art.newhall.cam.ac.uk/support-us/ collecting-collective.

THE FELLOWSHIP

The Skating Minister, a painting by Henry Raeburn from the 1790s. The poet Klopstock uses skating as a metaphor for writing verse. Source: Wikimedia Commons

Embodied cognition around 1800 ‘Embodied cognition’ means different things to different people, but we might say, very broadly, that it refers to the interaction between body and mind in human experience, and in our formation of knowledge. Precisely how they interact still often eludes us, but few would deny that our physical and mental states of being

are profoundly linked. The term ‘embodied cognition’ is associated particularly with work done in cognitive science, but it has also been influenced by philosophical movements, above all phenomenology. I find it very resonant for my own area of research, German literature around 1800. We tend to think of the

M U R R A Y E D WA R D S C O L L E G E R E P O R T 2 0 1 7

Enlightenment as privileging ‘reason’, and, by implication, the mind over the body; but many writers and philosophers of the period admitted no such separation, preferring instead to see the two as intertwined. I wanted to investigate how German thinkers around 1800 anticipated developments in modern cognitive science, and indeed what cognitive science can contribute to our analysis of literature written at that time. I was joined in this by two colleagues from Germany, Katharina Engler-Coldren (Berlin and Aachen) and Dr Lore Knapp (Bielefeld). Together we organised a two-day conference in September 2015, and, based on this, we edited a special number of the journal German Life and Letters, which has just been published. We were lucky to have the input of Dr Nadja Tschentscher (Leipzig), who explains the concept of embodied cognition from a neuroscientist’s perspective. Some of our other contributors use modern scientific developments as a prism through which to look at writing from around 1800. In a ground-breaking new book, Professor Terence Cave (Emeritus Professor of French, Oxford) has used perspectives from cognitive science to explain how literature engages our imagination, and to argue why reading is such an important activity for human beings. An essay by Cave on the German writer Heinrich von Kleist rounds off our collection. Other contributors look at the historical dimension: Dr Jerome Carroll (Nottingham), for example, explores the ways in which

early physiologists and anthropologists conceived of the role of the senses and the nervous system in mental processing. My own article focusses on the poet Klopstock – for whom poetry was a profoundly physical art form, and whose innovations paved the way for Goethe – and in particular on his use of ice skating as a metaphor for writing verse. This essay has also helped me to scope out my next book project, which will be a study of the relationship between poetry and movement. From the start, the project was closely associated with this College. My curiosity was first piqued several years ago by an essay by Dr Daniel Weiss, a former Fellow in Theology at Murray Edwards, on embodied cognition and classical rabbinic literature. The conference which my colleagues and I organised was also held in and supported by the College. But it was above all the intellectual generosity of two colleagues which made the work possible: Dr Raphael Lyne, Fellow in English, who has been in the vanguard of developing cognitive approaches to literature and who introduced me to the field, and Dr John Guthrie, Fellow in German, an expert in eighteenth-century German literature, who offers support and inspiration in equal measure.

Dr Charlotte Lee Fellow in German

WINSTON SANDERS

New Hall Society Review 2017

NEW HALL SOCIETY REVIEW 2017

News from our Alumnae If you would like to contact your year representation, or would like to become a year representative, please email: newhallsociety@murrayedwards.cam.ac.uk

1957 YEAR REP: ISABEL RAPHAEL (LAWSON)

Janet Cabot (MacGibbon)

1955 Elizabeth Waldram (Collins) Although long officially retired, I continue to collaborate with colleagues in the Cavendish Astrophysics group and have recently had a first-author paper accepted for publication in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. This will appear in Volume 473, Issue 1, 1 January 2018, Pages 1317-1324 – 9C spectral-index distributions and sourcecount estimates from 15 to 93 GHz – a re-assessment. E.M. Waldram, R.C. Bolton, J.M. Riley, G.G. Pooley.

The past year has been taken up with moving (a major operation after 44 years) from a large family house to a two-bedroomed ground floor flat. My husband has several health issues but I have joined an excellent organisation (Camden Carers), a charity supported by Camden Council which provides practical support and advice for carers and a wide choice of educational and leisure activities. I am a member of the steering committee which liaises with the Council and other organisations, and organises regular meetings and talks for carers. Since retiring in 1998 I have worked as a volunteer at the British Museum for 14 years, on conservation on Hampstead Heath, and with my local conservation committee. I have enjoyed courses at Birkbeck College, lectures with Art Pursuits, and excellent art classes at Camden College for Working Men. I’m just back from an Art Pursuits visit to Copenhagen with Isabel Raphael.

ALUMNAE NEWS

Jean Chilver (Slater) We try to keep up on Skype with family as well as friends and former colleagues in Northern Nigeria. We greatly enjoy walking in the Sussex countryside. I bake for the church Hub cafe, chat with clients as part of a local ‘Befriend’ scheme, and visit homebound neighbours. We host a fortnightly group Bible study, and are involved in the Steyning Downlands Scheme, a Christian environmental care group, and support the work of the local Parish Council.

Jill Gant (Mondy) I worked for the Inner London Education Authority until it was abolished in 1989. I then moved to Derbyshire as the County Principal Officer for the Education Social Work Service. Here I married for the second time. After several years in Chesterfield we moved to Abingdon to be nearer to my daughter and her family. In Abingdon, I founded and led Abingdon EarthCare to raise awareness of sustainability; was involved with the Town Council in starting a Farmers’ Market; set up an organic community allotment; arranged talks on renewable energy and invited professional speakers. I also helped to spread liberal theological ideas, starting the Abingdon Spirituality Group. I am an active member of the Progressive Christianity Network (Abingdon). With my late husband I did volunteer work for

the Oxford International Interfaith Centre. Long-term back problems, recently exacerbated by an accident, are currently limiting my activities.

Ann Gittins I live happily in Newcastle upon Tyne, learning to draw, singing in a choir and volunteering for the refugee service and for a new venture at a local theatre – creative writing sessions for primary children. I am also working on an EU funded project to improve the inclusion in schools of children affected by migration. Our brief is very broad and we are working with partners in Italy, Spain and Romania (where there are no incoming children but thousands left behind by parents working elsewhere). We have ten schools in this country, in very varied contexts, helping us to develop the programme, and a colleague who has researched the long-term effects of displacement on evacuees in the war. We hope to build a bank of examples of effective practice and resources to support schools in our countries and more widely. It’s very interesting and I’m thoroughly enjoying it. I tried giving up work in 1991 and have been trying to stop doing things ever since – but when this project finishes in 2019, I hope to be a properly retired person!

NEW HALL SOCIETY REVIEW 2017

Rachel Gregory This looks like ‘Not a lot worth mentioning’, but it keeps me busy! Gardening; Church activities; looking after neighbours; serving on the Residents’ Committee, with special responsibility as Garden Co-ordinator and Social Events Organiser. Visits to Cambridge are a source of great enjoyment, when I like to visit the Graduate Centre, use my precious Cam card to visit Colleges, and walk along the river to Grantchester.

Anne Holmes (Church) I have recently moved to Histon, near Cambridge, to be close to my daughter.

Naomi Linnell (Langstaﬀ) I have suffered for many years from ME. I still write when I have the energy, and have published interesting and delightful poetry and prose in The Inquirer, the Unitarian publication, among other outlets.

Felicity Phelps (Crozier) I have seven grandchildren – between Norfolk, East London, Sussex and near me in West London. I belong to the National Autistic Society as my youngest grandchild is severely autistic and I am involved in his care. I write book reviews and articles for a local political magazine, such as The Effect of Brexit on Ireland, and A Hundred Years

Since The Balfour Declaration. I also grow vegetables and make chutney which the grandchildren devour in vast quantities! And I have knitted lots of sweaters and blankets for the refugees in Calais.

Isabel Raphael (Lawson) I run three adult reading groups a week, two in Latin and one in Ancient Greek, and give regular short courses on Classical works in translation and Classically-based lectures. This is wonderfully stimulating and enjoyable. I go to as many exhibitions as I can in London, take in lots of lectures and courses, and try to get to opera (usually on film), theatre and cinema. I also sing in a choir. Term-times restrict travel, but London is so full of delights that I can’t cover them all! Living in the centre of town is a great boon. As Chair of our Residents’ Association I battle frustratedly with managing agents and Westminster Council, but I’ve whittled down almost all my committee work, thank goodness. I also have five grandchildren, aged from 21 to four, who keep me on my toes.

ALUMNAE NEWS

Jacky Woolcock I retired from medical work in 2006, but I find satisfaction advising friends and church members – usually “yes, you should take this to your GP!” I have done a lot of headbanging trying to get our local hospital not to cut beds and to get local geriatricians to improve their management of dementia. I am Chair of Friends of Shoreham Beach, a 26-hectare shingle reserve owned by AdurWorthing Council. I co-lead walks, pull up invasive species, consult specialists, go on litter-picks, chair meetings, and belong to local conservations groups, learning new things all the time. I am a Director of the Dohnavur Fellowship Corporation, the UK charity supporting the Children’s Home and Hospital in India where Ii worked for nearly 18 years. I back up the Secretary, and go to the office once a week if she is away. And I like having people to stay.

1959 Winifred Blay (Caesar) This is the year that my husband and I admitted to each other that physical energy was waning. We confessed to each other that walking to the centre of the small town where we live to reach public transport and the shops was getting hard. Following this discussion we actually

moved house in October this year. Though it has a crazily steep path/drive up to the front door, and our daughters warned it was too small, in other ways the new house is fine. In preparation for the winter (ice on that path!), we have obtained a lot of rock salt and I have had a new hip operation.

1960 Anna Craven At last I have an article coming out early next year in African Arts on my 1969/70 fieldwork for the Nigerian Federal Dept. of Antiquities (as it was then) entitled The Art and Material Culture of the Eloyi (Afo) People, Nigeria 1969/70: A Photographic Essay. Fortunately I had worked up and written most of this before I had a series of debilitating health problems last year and this year. When I have been able and my brain has responded, I have also been processing other research material from the Ssese Islands, Uganda (1965), Solomon Islands (1973-79), and Ghana (1964 and 2007). An article based on my collection of village pottery from the north of Ghana was published in Interpreting Ceramics 2008, and an exhibition of part of the collection (which numbers about 300 pots) is currently on show at the Department of Archaeology and Museum Studies, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana.

NEW HALL SOCIETY REVIEW 2017

Sarah Hnatiuk (Francis) I am still much involved with the environment, rehabilitating burnt and overgrazed bush and carefully recording the results of planting to guide future planting decisions. With a 92 hectare reserve on our suburb’s doorstep and an overstretched, grateful parks service, there are many satisfying opportunities to initiate and implement projects. On the home front, we are a family of four, including a ten-year old granddaughter for most of the time. She helps to give us a crash update on parenting. It was lovely to pay a flying visit to Sydney recently when Hilary Oulton and her husband were there.

Hilary Oulton (Steedman) I am still (just) connected to the London School of Economics as a Research Associate (unpaid) and am contributing the occasional piece on apprenticeship and skills to the Centre for Vocational Education and Research (CVER) there. We recently spent a month in Australia where my husband Nick was a visiting Research Fellow at the University of Queensland in Brisbane. I had a lovely reunion with Sarah Hnatiuk (Francis) who lives in Canberra. I am also in regular contact with Jenny Graham (Fitter) New Hall, 1960, in Cambridge. Everyone is (pretty) fit and well I’m happy to say. Nick and I very much enjoyed the Benefactors’ Feast where I discovered that a friend who

sings in the church choir with me at St Mary’s Hampstead (Adela Gooch, New Hall, 1981) is also a New Hall alumna.

Janet Scott (Batty) Last October I met Pope Francis. It was brief, in a short meeting for a group before the general audience on a Wednesday. How did this come about? For many years I have been involved in ecumenical matters. I served for 14 years on the Faith and Order Commission of the World Council of Churches. I am still a Trustee of Churches Together in England, and of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland. At the same time I have been involved in world Quaker matters, visiting meetings and attending conferences and gatherings. This has given me the background to work on theological issues with the General Secretary of the Friends World Committee for Consultation. In 2016 we were invited to meet in Rome by the Pontifical Council for Promoting Church Unity. The whole thing lasted about 20 minutes, after which the Pope left. We caught a glimpse of the huge demands made on the Pope, so many people wanting to see and hear him. In it all, he seems to be able to stay humble and prayerful.

ALUMNAE NEWS

1961 YEAR REP: MARGARET TOMPSETT (HATFIELD)

Jacky Ivimy After my divorce in 2008, I handed over my farm to my youngest daughter. She is running it much more efficiently than before, having added a cow and occasional pigs to the flock of sheep while also continuing to care for the environment and the wildflower meadows. I have been fortunate to keep a granny flat and continue to spend much time there. I and artist/director Adebayo Bolaji are hoping to find a home for my play Dialektikon and are currently talking to a small London theatre.

next year) and Primitive Methodist chapels in Warwickshire (as part of a national project) so I should be able to produce another talk, and hopefully an article, before too long.

1963 YEAR REP: MERRYN WILLIAMS

1964 YEAR REP: CLARE PASSINGHAM (DARLINGTON)

Anne Langley (Wallis)

Caroline New

I was honoured to be invited to a Buckingham Palace Garden Party this year in recognition of my work for Cruse Bereavement Care (although I didn’t manage to get presented to the Queen!) They do a great tea and the grounds are pleasant to wander around. I continue my work on local history – research, writing and giving talks. I’m currently researching Suffrage in Rugby (for the County Record Office who will be celebrating the hundredth anniversary of women obtaining the vote

As a grandmother, and as a citizen, I am increasingly worried about the likelihood of abrupt climate change. I’ve become active in the Green Party, which recently voted for a new policy including a target for the UK of net zero carbon emissions (not counting the embedded ones in food and other imports) by 2030. Undo-able, say many, but it’s what the science says we need. By far my biggest news!

NEW HALL SOCIETY REVIEW 2017

1965 YEAR REP: JANE EVANS (RICE)

1966 YEAR REP: KATHERINE BRADNOCK (RYDER)

Deborah Ballard Carole Nelson (New Hall 1974) and I celebrated our civil partnership in 2012. Carole has her piano trio’s album One Day in Winter out this November. I am happily retired, although I still write for the Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland’s Journal, and am currently writing copy for an Irish horticultural nursery’s website. I also run a small Airbnb business at our farmhouse in South East Ireland. My daughter, her husband and the two grandchildren visit often, and are a total joy.

Katherine Bradnock (Ryder) Approaching 70, I feel grateful for good health and thus the ability to continue regular travelling with my husband Ian. Myanmar, Kerala, Rhone-Danube, Alaska and the Rocky Mountains have been our destinations; we also make frequent visits to Geneva where we have family. We enjoy outings in a double scull at Marlow, as well as monthly walks in the Chilterns with my Bench walking group, and gentle skiing in the Alps when conditions are good. Half an acre of garden also keeps us busy. I have to retire from the Bench in March by my 70th birthday. After 24 years as a JP that will be a shock! My role as a Governor of our local village infants’ school also keeps me busy, and regular Bridge continues to frustrate and challenge in equal measure. Singing is what fills the bulk of any spare time. We sing in several different choirs both in UK and Switzerland and have had a full programme this year.

Katherine pictured with her husband Ian.

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Margaret Ekua Prah

Lesley Saunders

I was appointed as the Ghana High Commissioner to Zambia with concurrent accreditation to Malawi this year. I presented my credentials to the Zambian President on 29th August 2017. I will be based in Lusaka until June 2020.

I’ve been involved with several interesting poetry projects this year, principally a book of translations of the Portuguese feminist and writer Maria Teresa Horta. Horta, one of the most revered poets of modern Portugal, has published more than 20 volumes of poetry over a lifetime’s writing career, although none of her books has been translated into English. She was writing before and during the revolution against the fascist Estado Novo regime; her early work was banned for being ‘an outrage to public morals’. We are working together to make translations of a selection of her poems. It’s hugely challenging and also deeply rewarding – Horta will soon be 80 and I hope the book will stand as an appropriate tribute. Meanwhile, a pamphlet of mine, Angels on Horseback, was one of the winners of the 2017 Poetry Business awards. Apart from that, my work as visiting professor in education (at Newman University, Birmingham, and at UCL Institute of Education, London) continues to be stimulating; and of course the five grandsons are a continual source of delight!

Margaret Price (Shore) This year has been mixed for me. We were delighted to welcome the arrival of granddaughter Evie to our daughter Rachel and her husband Tom. We have also celebrated granddaughter Felicity’s first birthday in San Francisco: her parents are our son Jonny and his wife Ali. In November, Evie’s brother Jamie had his second birthday in Abu Dhabi. Unfortunately we were unable to join them there as I am undergoing chemotherapy for amyloidosis and have to stay put! Family and friends have been incredibly supportive during this rare illness and I have felt buoyed up by their love and prayers. I am gritting my teeth for the 30 weeks of treatment and look forward to resuming my travels after my 70th birthday in April!

NEW HALL SOCIETY REVIEW 2017

1967 YEAR REP: JOY RICHARDSON (JAMES)

Bryony Jagger I have completed Colours, a trilogy of novels, and also a short orchestral piece in memory of a friend. I am still singing lieder and playing recorder. I have also performed some of my recently written songs.

an unarmed person with mental illness for many years, (how strange that sounds to English ears) and we want to keep it that way. This pantomime season the theatre group that my husband and I founded 17 years ago performed “Sleeping Beauty”. I have also just joined a choir. Retirement has meant we can come back to England more often although I was disappointed not to be able to come to the 50th year reunion for the 1967 crowd. All old New Hallers are welcome to visit, we are very near Philadelphia, not far from Baltimore, Washington and New York. We always have room.

Cherry Lee-Wade (Phillips) I’m still writing, under the name Cherry Gilchrist, mainly on myth and wisdom traditions. I seem to have got to the stage where I’m re-writing earlier books; currently working on a new version of The Circle of Nine about feminine archetypes. It will be published by Red Wheel Weiser in 2018.

1968 YEAR REPS: SUSAN CARTER, VICTORIA OSBORNE-BROAD (CUTLER), EVELYN SILBER

Caroline Smith (Shott) I came to the USA in 1986, and retired from my job at the Pennsylvania equivalent of County Hall last summer (2016). I still work part time – I have just finished hosting and organizing a week-long training for a group of County police, on crisis intervention techniques that help de-escalate police encounters with people who are in the throes of a mental health crisis. Chester County, where I live, hasn’t had a police shooting of

Hilary Douglas (Black) This year I have, once again, enjoyed collaborating with Sarah Gornall (New Hall, 1968) on the training sessions for College mentors – a collaboration which only happened because we got talking on one of the great 1968 meet- ups! It took me a while to venture into authorship as a coach, so I was much encouraged by the reception for The Reluctant Leader (Canterbury Press,

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2016), especially as it had such resonance with women – and I am now working on something about Jobsharing. I continue to be a vice- chair of the British Red Cross, mainly with a UK focus but with the occasional visit to our international work – including the General Assembly in 2017 with 190 countries represented. It is an extraordinary movement. On the home front, our family is split between the UK and Hong Kong, and we are watching three small children growing in very different environments, connected by Skype.

Hilary is pictured fi h from right with this year’s mentors

Liz Kelner Pozen I spend most of my time in Boston and New York, trying to see our grandchildren and to paint as much as possible. At the beginning of the year a small volume of my poetry (and some paintings) was published. The book is called The Heart of the Family.

Anne Priestley (Whitby) This has been the year of the grandchildren – TWO of them! Michael and Charlotte, three months apart, both of them half Chinese; and so now I am Nainai – the mother of the father. Such a blessing that both families are in Auckland.

Jane Ziar (Butler) We continue to divide our time between Cambridge and Cornwall, interspersed with some foreign travel. Perran continues to coach rowing at Magdalene and I am involved in various theatre and literature groups. Our eldest son lives in Cornwall and has two daughters, aged eight and five. Our two other sons live in London and Cambridge. 2018 will mark a half century since our cohort started at New Hall and many of us intend to be in Cambridge to celebrate next September. I look forward to it!

1969 YEAR REPS: SHEILA DAMON (KINGHORN), BARBARA HALL (ESCRITT)

NEW HALL SOCIETY REVIEW 2017

1 9 70 YEAR REPS: FRANCES EDMONDS (MORIARTY), JANE INGLESE (BAILES)

Bina Agarwal In September, I was awarded the prestigious Balzan prize (2017) for my work in gender studies, specifically “For challenging established premises in economics and the social sciences by using an innovative gender perspective; for enhancing the visibility and empowerment of rural women in the Global South; for opening new intellectual and political pathways in key areas of gender and development”. The Balzan prize is one of the world’s top social science prizes, and there are four awarded each year in different subject categories. My prize was awarded for the category of “Moral Sciences”. The ceremony took place in Berne, Switzerland on 17th November 2017.

Frances Edmonds (Moriarty) I have recently been awarded a Fellowship at the Distinguished Careers Institute at Stanford University where, in the springtime of my own senility, I shall be researching the issues surrounding ageing first world populations and the ramifications for health, social and educational policy for all generations.

Jane Inglese (Bailes) Following a difficult year in 2016, our family has had the joy in 2017 of a new life. Our grandson Lucas John Charles Harvey was born to our daughter Francesca and her husband Sam on August Bank Holiday Monday. I continue to work part-time as a Special Needs Teacher and trainer, and am Chair of Governor’s at RNIB Sunshine House School, as well as being very active in our church. I really enjoy facilitating twice-yearly gatherings in London for people from our year. Some have travelled a great distance to join us and many friendships have been renewed as a result.

Tessa Kilvington-Shaw (Kilvington)

Professor Bina Agarwal is pictured receiving her Balzan prize from the President of Switzerland, Doris Leuthard

I continue to work exam marking to pay for holidays – October 2016 Bhutan and India via Kathmandu; April 2017 Peru via Bogota, with the dubious achievement of being the oldest person climbing the four day Inca Trail up to Machu Picchu at that time; and for this

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coming New Year Hong Kong and Vietnam. In July we had a very successful DIY wedding party in York for my daughter. I revived my skills at sewing, making all the table cloths and her wedding dress (made in three weeks without a pattern); I cultivated the plants for the table decorations, and co-ordinated all the arrangements in York from my home in Cambridgeshire and with her in Thailand. I am now on the adventure of moving from a nine-roomed house to one with 4 ½ rooms the week before Christmas and two weeks before Hong Kong! Getting rid of my junk will be my most major challenge yet. I still sing in a choir and had favourable reviews for my role as Mrs Eynsford-Hill in ‘My Fair Lady’. I also still make major life changing decisions for others as part of my voluntary work.

Sue Stanley (White) This year saw the birth of our first grandchild – lovely! It’s also been super to meet up with alumnae from our year at the lunches in London organised by the wonderful Jane Inglese. And as I’m now on the Steering Group for our local Neighbourhood Development Plan, it would be great to hear from anyone who has experience to share.

Niobe Wells (Hopkins) Our house has now lost several of its occupants due to moves to pastures

greener, so (hopefully!) we are beginning the mammoth task of de-cluttering prior to downsizing. It is amazing what turns up – why have I still kept some of my old essays? However, old photographs always slow things up as they bring back so many happy memories. So, 2018 is shaping up to be a busy year.

Barbara Woroncow OBE In 2017, I was appointed as a Founding Board Director of the Leeds Culture Trust. On a personal level, we celebrated the happy milestone of our 40th wedding anniversary.

1971 Ursula Buchan (Wilde) I have been engaged for several years in writing a biography of John Buchan, the writer (and much else besides) best known, thanks to Alfred Hitchcock, for The ThirtyNine Steps. I have been doing research in Canada, in Scotland and at the University Library in Cambridge – and I have been met by such willing assistance from archivists and librarians everywhere that the process has been a most enjoyable one. All being well, the book will be published by Bloomsbury in March 2019.

NEW HALL SOCIETY REVIEW 2017

Jane Dottridge (Rooke)

Diana Kuh (Lewin)

I’ve been awarded the Whitaker medal by the Geological Society for ‘services to Hydrogeology’, the first woman to receive this since it started in 1930. I will also be the new Chief Scientific Editor of Quarterly Journal of Engineering, Geology, and Hydrogeology from January 2018, again the first woman in this role in its 50 year history. I work for Mott Macdonald in Cambridge, and do have the occasional student from the College for work shadowing. On a personal note, I have twin grandsons and I’m still married to Mike Dottridge – over 40 years now! I am still slightly shocked, after all this time, to be in the ‘first woman‘ role!

For the last 30 years, I have been privileged to work as an epidemiologist on the MRC National Survey of Health and Development (NSHD), the oldest of the British birth cohort studies which has followed 5362 men and women since they were born in March 1946 until the present day. For the last ten years, I directed the NSHD and the Medical Research Council Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing at UCL, which I established.

Philippa Evans (Taylor) I have retired from general practice and am exploring with interest this unmapped new stage of life.

Deborah Glass I am still working at Monash University in Melbourne in the field of occupational epidemiology. I recently took part in an IARC (part of WHO) review of the carcinogenicity of benzene, with the deliberations summarised in an Oncology article in The Lancet that was recently published. I am currently looking after a petroleum industry cohort, an Australian firefighter cohort and working on black lung reemergence in Queensland.

Sue Whitham (Addison) I am now almost retired, being “halfway to 70” – i.e. 65. I spend just a day and a half at schools, but I am continuing to aspire to high standards, despite all the box-ticking, social care issues, political correctness and crass ignorance amongst the younger staff! Education is debased these days. I have visited Cambridge recently, and am overwhelmed by size, New Hall, the supersized punts on the river, and the crowds, and it’s like a theme park on King’s Parade.

1972 Miriam Davis I am heading for retirement (June 2018) in Gloucester UK after 31 years working as a

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missionary with OMF International UK in the north of Japan, and eight years prior to that as an English teacher in several different Japanese cities. I shall deeply miss Japan but am looking forward to involvement in my local Anglican church as a Reader and continuing voluntary work with OMF International UK.

Sue Kirrage Two years ago I became self-employed as a Consultative Headteacher offering Leadership solutions. I specialise in small specialist schools for pupils with SEMH/ behavioural issues, specifically PRUs and other short-stay alternative providers. I enjoy bringing staff teams together to improve or develop their schools and have recently taken a school out from Special Measures. The pupils in these schools are among our most vulnerable, as well as often the most challenging, in our education system and deserve skilled and positive support and education.

Denise Yusuf I work as a freelance coach, counsellor and trainer, taking a solutions-focused approach, and seeing children, young people and adults. Currently, in addition to my own private practice, I see children in a primary and secondary school, work as a phone coach for the Young Women’s Trust, and travel with my husband Evan George of Brief (www.brief.org.uk) teaching the solutions-focused approach abroad. We have three lovely grown up children. I cowrote Coaching Children and Young People (Routledge, 2015) with my colleague Harvey Ratner, and I’m now working on a second book, with contributions from solutionsfocused practitioners working with children all over the world. We spend time in Cyprus too, teaching, relaxing, but hoping to help in some way there too.

1973

Hilary Shepherd (Evans)

Sally Cooper (Nuttall)

A busy year writing, building, gardening, and enjoying new granddaughter. My third novel, Albi, is due to be published in April next year. Set in Spain, it tells what happens when a nine-year-old shepherd boy is drawn into running messages to the maquis at the end of the Civil War.

Nothing “new” has happened since the last call for news – but last weekend I was given a wholly unexpected and massively appreciated award for STANDING STILL! The background is that, when I can, I act as a Marshall for the Park Run at Fell Foot at Newby Bridge (at the south end of

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Windermere). I think I’m right in saying that this is the third year of this particular Parkrun (these 5K events are held all over the place at 9.00am every Saturday morning). I’m only the third recipient of this “Event Organiser’s Award” and the first non-runner.

Heather Smith I was very pleased to be re-elected as a Labour County Councillor in Durham in May, and am using my previous experience as a paediatrician on various committees relating to children, young people, and health and wellbeing. However, life has been a bit of a struggle physically after a botched hip replacement left me with impaired mobility, compounded by a fall and a badly broken ankle. As a result we are downsizing from our lovely small-holding to a more manageable house in a village nearby.

was funded by mining company Fortescue Metals Group and aimed to synthesise and publish some of the unpublished results from the thousands of archaeological consulting projects associated with thirty years of development in the region, mainly iron ore extraction. As one of the outcomes, we published a community book, Kakutungutanta to Warrie Outcamp: 40,000 years in Nyiyaparli country, to help the Nyiyaparli explain their heritage and the archaeology in their country to the wider public. This book won the John Mulvaney archaeology book award for 2016, presented by the Australian Archaeological Association at its annual conference last December – to the delighted surprise of Nyiyaparli community members who were present at the event. The book is available as a free PDF download from the Archae-aus website www.archae-aus.com.au/ wp-content/uploads/2014/06/ Kakutungutanta-to-Warrie-Outcamp.pdf.

1 9 74 Caroline Bird With my husband, Jim Rhoads, I am just finishing an innovative archaeological research project in the Pilbara region of Western Australia in association with the Nyiyaparli people, and archaeological consulting firm Archae-aus. The project

Caroline (second from right) pictured with Fiona Hook, managing director of Archaeaus (le ) and Nyiyaparli elders Frances and Sue Bung at the awards ceremony.

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1975

1 9 76

Hilary Leighter

Sally Antill

I continue to be a full time Humanist wedding, naming and funeral Celebrant in London and the surrounding area, providing personal and unique ways to remember and celebrate ourselves and our loved ones.

In October 2016 I put my inanimate belongings in one van, my ponies, cattle and sheep in another and set off on a new adventure. Back to the South West (and summers! Yay for having summers again!) this time to North Cornwall and a cohousing community with small farm. We’ve all settled in pretty well. It ain’t no picnic living with 20-odd other adults and their assorted children, dogs and cats, working together to produce food from our land, sharing facilities such as laundry equipment, log store and workshop, eating a communal meal most nights but with each of us having our own personal space and a door we can shut. A picnic it ain’t, it’s hard work physically and emotionally – but it is tremendously rewarding. If the human condition is to strive for connection and to be of use, then cohousing should be the future! (Of course in many ways it is also the past, an almost tribal way of life, with everyone in the ‘village’ cooperating to accomplish tasks for the common good and also for each other personally.)

Kate Smith (Smart) This has been a year of family ups and downs: the funerals of a very dear motherin-law in Lincolnshire (92) and a lovely godfather-uncle in Oxfordshire (84) were two of the main downs. Seeing son Will (b. 1990) receive his D Phil in Oxford in July was a definite high and a proud moment. In work terms, I continue to enjoy helping run the gift shop at the National Tramway Museum, and remain Parliamentary Candidate for Amber Valley Lib Dems at least for the moment. Husband Paul is now volunteering for the Derbyshire Blood Bikes among other causes, and working slightly less. Son Ollie (b. 1993) had major surgery last year, and this year his employers have given him a sabbatical while he deals with the health aftermath. If only all employers were as good… I occasionally run into Sally Archer (Morgan), New Hall 1971, at the supermarket – we always enjoy our conversations!

NEW HALL SOCIETY REVIEW 2017

Revd Dr. Angela Birkin (Blackburn)

Shanthi Wilson Wijeratnam

On 1 July I was ordained deacon in the Church of England by the Bishop of Leeds in Bradford Cathedral. I am now assistant curate at St Michael and All Angels within the Headingley Team in Leeds.

Mary Finley Decker-Kelley

It was wonderful to be back in the UK over Christmas last year and to catch up with Val Galpin (New Hall, 1978) and Alison Lewis (New Hall, 1974), and to have Tone (New Hall, 1978) and her husband Hans Ola Urstad visit me in Sri Lanka in February this year. My international collaborative project on Enhancing Preservation of Fruits using Nano Technology comes to an end in March 2018. I am not sure what I will be doing next! Meanwhile I have been appointed to the International Advisory Board of the Horticulture Innovations Board funded by USAID and managed by the University of California, Davis.

New Hall alumnae from the 1970s pictured together in June 2017.

Helen Wood (Jagger)

Jane Whittell (Lumbard) I arrived at New Hall in 1976, graduated in 1979 and then did a PGCE. I taught Religious Studies until 1988 when I was Head of RS at King Henry VIII School, Coventry for ten years. After having my daughter in 1999 I continued to teach part-time. However, my big news is that in July this year I was ordained Deacon in the Church of England and I am now non-stipendiary curate at St. James and Emmanuel, Didsbury, Manchester. I still teach Religion and Philosophy at Manchester Grammar School (half a timetable).

Poet & Painter, a book I co-authored book with the painter Mike Moss, launched in autumn 2016 and has sold well at poetry festivals, readings and exhibitions of the paintings. I am now enjoying not writing to order alongside artists for the first time in 10 years. I became Chair of Trustees at the Old Bank Camelford, a community organisation giving life to one of the three former bank buildings abandoned by NatWest, Barclays and Lloyds in the same year. We celebrated its first birthday in October with Tasting Cornwall, an evening of local foods, drinks (including eight different gins), and dancing. I am also busy with grandchildren, as ever. I am going off-line in the New Year to see if it helps me use my time more productively...

ALUMNAE NEWS

1977 YEAR REPS: CLARE LITTLEJOHN, SUSAN HIGGINSON (HARRIS), HILARY CROWE (HUDSON)

Julie Abraham (Maurer) I’m working in Enrollment and Communications in a start-up secondary school in the U.S. called Design Tech High School. The Silicon Valley company Oracle is just completing a campus for us in time for our first graduates in 2018. As I near the end of my career, this project has been a pinnacle – d.tech is redesigning education to include collaborative problem-solving and an entrepreneurial approach to help students navigate not just University, but the coming jobs revolution. I live in nearby Redwood City near San Francisco, and have a daughter Emily (27) in the Biotech industry and a son James (17) who is applying to University this year. My husband Randy is a test pilot for United Airlines and flies in the San Francisco Fleet Week Airshow.

Deborah Ellinger (Chopping) I tried to retire twice, but must be a work junkie, as I couldn’t give up the highs and lows of running a company. I am currently CEO of a chain of 130 medical spas that do everything from laser hair removal, to body contouring, to Botox. Some might call those procedures unnecessary, but it is personally very satisfying to help women regain selfconfidence with just a few subtle changes that give them an extra spring in their step. When not working, I hector my kids, play mediocre tennis, and run slow 5Ks, but have aspirations for better results once I finally retire.

Lesley Jolly (Townson) I’ve been living in France for 15 years and, like ‘The Doctor’, am in my umpteenth reincarnation, this time as a caricaturist. I’ve had enough commissions to encourage me in my wild fantasy and have done live gigs and joined The Cartoonists’ Club of Great Britain in an attempt to get even more work plus a few sorties to comic cons with like-minded folks. Now 60 I feel that time is of the essence and the creative stuff I want to do is crowding everything else out of my headspace. This includes salaried employment. Oops. So, if you want to help a struggling artiste, I can be contacted through www.jollyhorsecartoons.blogspot.com When I’m not colouring-in, I’m working on my memoir My holiday – un journal

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intime (watch out if you know me – you’ll be in it). This was inspired by a quick trip back to Blighty I made in the summer. I stayed at College before going North to The Wall (Hadrian’s and I was going to walk it). The gardens were stunning and I was amazed to see there were tennis courts. I’m definitely coming back again in 2018 and I shall be bringing the old racquet with me. I feel memoir part II coming on – un autre journal intime.

asked to celebrate the wedding next year of another New Hall / Murray Edwards alumna in London, Catherine Hall (New Hall, 2005).

1978 YEAR REP: RACHEL HOWGEGO (BURBRIDGE)

Sophy Fisher At the beginning of 2017 I took an 18 month sabbatical from my job as Regional Communications Officer at the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Asia Pacific (Bangkok), to spend time in Europe. I also received the ILO’s Innovation Prize, presented for the most innovative project of the previous two years.

Edna Murphy An example of Lesley’s wonderful caricatures

Julie Perigo I’m still living in Barcelona, doing a couple of days of debate and career coaching at a local English medium school. And this year I’ve become a Wedding Celebrant. Mainly for LGBT ceremonies, but I’ve also been

I’m now the Bursar at St Edmund’s College, a College which is literally next door to Murray Edwards, and also not at all far from where I live. I love the fact that I go to meetings at Murray Edwards and see it going from strength to strength. I was Director of Administration at UCL’s Faculty of Medical Sciences for several years while living in Cambridge and so had been commuting to London for some time. UCL was great but

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working in Cambridge again, in a College, and not commuting, is fantastic. I’ve also taken up the viola, in addition to the violin. Some time ago I started Cambridge Youth Music with fellow alumna Clare Gilmour (New Hall, 1970) which aims to give children experience in performing and composition in a fun and inclusive way, outside of school. I am pleased it is still going and is now part of the Cambridge Festival of Ideas. I did give up the Magistracy after 26 years to take up a Non Exec role at the Tavistock and Portman Trust in London but, being on the Supplemental List of Magistrates, could stage a comeback at some point. My family is all grown – my eldest son is getting married in January 2018.

Bev Forsythe (Thorne) Having given up full-time employment at GSK Vaccines in Belgium last year we returned home to Cheshire. Roy has become a perfect house husband whilst I have been doing remote-working, parttime pharmaceutical consultancy. This has enabled us to spend the winter season in the French Alps and go touring in our 1973 MG Midget (bought in Cambridge whilst I was still a medical student!) to Greece, Italy and Slovenia. We have just returned from walking the first 300km of the Camino de Santiago to Compostela. Our kids recently told us to grow old gracefully and stop acting like teenagers! Never!

Revd. Dr Elizabeth Jordan (Gibson)

1979 Kirsty Alexander (Russell) I am still a GP Partner in Bristol and also work for Bristol CCG as Clinical Lead for Maternity and Children’s Services. I am working six days a weeks trying to keep my little corner of the NHS afloat, so I don’t much time for anything else at present!

I had a couple of pieces accepted for publication this year: on Christian relational epistemology in Ecclesial Practices and on facilitating theological conversations in Grove booklets. I am enjoying being recognised as a researcher since gaining my doctorate and have received funding to investigate transitional ministry next year. Transitional ministers are those appointed in the church with an intentional piece of work to be done. It’s a contribution to understanding how the church can adapt to a future that is unknown – a challenge for any organisation or institution.

NEW HALL SOCIETY REVIEW 2017

Kechil Kirkham I am continuing to work on the Square Kilometre Array radio astronomy project and am a very active member of the local astronomical community. I completed an MPhil in Space Studies at the University of Cape Town, and I became a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society and a member of the Astronomy Advisory Committee to the South African government. My weekly astronomy radio show has been going for 10 years now! Not bad with a degree in Soc Anth!

1980

spring. My son, who is also a medic, has just started a Ph.D at the Crick Institute in London and my daughter continues to work for the Judge School of Business and has recently completed a report of the risks of cyber terrorism. Any alumnae who live in North Yorkshire please get in touch for a nice hike with a cup of Yorkshire tea to finish!

Julia Miller (Haisley) Aside from academic work (including the AustraLex conference in the beautiful Cook Islands), I’ve enjoyed playing a small role (Brid’oison) in an amateur French theatre production of Beaumarchais’s ‘Le Mariage de Figaro’, which I studied for A level!

YEAR REP: TRACEY CAMPBELL

Deborah Rowland

Jane McLennan

I published my second book on leading change this year: Still Moving: How to Lead Mindful Change. It is available on Amazon: www.amazon.co.uk/Still-Moving-LeadMindful-Change/dp/1119164923/ref=nodl_

I have finally settled back in the UK, having spent most of the last 17 years living in Northern California. I have recently bought a house in Richmond, North Yorkshire – having decided that after so many years in California I had to live somewhere that is both beautiful and has lots of hillwalking. The incredible history of the place is a fair exchange for the weather! I am still spending a fair amount of time commuting back to Cambridge as I am still working as a part-time GP in one of the City Centre practices at least until next

ALUMNAE NEWS

1981

1982 YEAR REP: JO BUSVINE

Rachel Dowdy (Woods) I am living in SE London, working in a voluntary capacity in our church and reliving those uni application days as our eldest goes through the UCAS system. Park Run has rejuvenated my running, of sorts.

Sonia Ruseler I am now Executive Director for AACI, an Argentine non-profit business offering English language learning with a view to improve the personal and professional development of middle and lower income Argentines. I have undertaken two adventures this past year. I completed my first Ironman 70.3 triathlon, and I also climbed up to Base Camp 1 of Aconcagua, the highest mountain in the Americas. We also celebrated our daughter going to Stanford, and I also launched a new wine from our SonVida vineyard – Alegría, our first blend Malbec-Syrah-Cabernet Sauvignon. We are still selling wine in UK, US and now Canada.

Sharon Craggs (Neo) It continues to be challenging and exciting as Chief Compliance Officer for a bank headquartered in the Middle East, the only woman on the senior management team, and in the continuous journey of dealing with the plethora of regulatory changes in a competitive, volatile environment. Building, transforming, managing teams, systems, infrastructure and providing strategic advice across the bank’s global footprint has been an engaging experience. It is so true that learning is lifelong!

Beverley Haywood (Bird) Looking for a project to persuade my husband to retire from the world of big business and encourage my two grown up children to come back to Worcestershire, we bought a vineyard in July 2017. A bit of a leap into the unknown but it has proved to be a great, if somewhat tiring, decision. As one of the oldest established vineyards in England we have inherited a reputable business which produces delicious wine. We have big plans so watch this space.

NEW HALL SOCIETY REVIEW 2017

Vanessa Moseley (Blackman) After nine and a half years working with young people as an Intensive Support Personal Adviser and NEET Co-Ordinator for Connexions, Kent (now known as CXK) I decided to take voluntary redundancy in November 2016. This gave me an opportunity to spend some precious time with family, recharge my batteries and consider my options. I am now working in Customer Services at Maidstone Borough Council and thoroughly enjoying being part of a new team and learning about the wide range of services we offer, while helping and advising people. A change of direction but one still all about communication and days full of conversation and giving a helping hand, which is how I love to spend my working life!

of Prehistory in Halle (Saale), Germany. I was responsible for co-ordinating and editing the two volumes of conference proceedings published in 2016 with 54 contributions from archaeologists, anthropologists and archaeozoologists from 16 different countries in Europe as well as from Canada and the USA. One of the collaborators was Alison Wilson, former New Hall librarian, who undertook the enormous and meticulous work of correcting the texts of the non-native English speakers and proof-reading all the manuscripts. Alison and I first met 20 years ago when she visited the Martin-Luther University Library in Halle on a British Council exchange programme.

1983 YEAR REP: MONI MOHSIN

Judith M. GrĂźnberg In September 2013 I helped to organise an international and interdisciplinary conference on Mesolithic burials â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Rites, symbols and social organisation of early postglacial communities in the State Museum

A collaboration between New Hall alumna Judith Grunberg and former librarian Alison Wilson

ALUMNAE NEWS

1984 Sue Grossey I am working on my fifth Sam Plank novel. It is a planned series of seven historical financial crime novels, set in London in the 1820s, with magistrates’ constable Sam Plank as the narrator. Each focuses on a specific financial crime: “Fatal Forgery” is about crooked bankers (back when we used to hang them); “The Man in the Canary Waistcoat” looks at investment fraud; “Worm in the Blossom” concerns bribery and extortion; and “Portraits of Pretence” deals with art crime and smuggling. I am now working on “Plank 5” (all about fraudulent religions). These novels are self-published, but only because the publishers I approached were of the view that no-one is interested in financial crime. Of course this is not the case, as financial crime is ever-present. The paperback books are currently stocked in bookshops in Cambridge (where I still live), Ely, and in Cheapside (the heart of the financial square mile… – the books sell very well there!). I also sell online, and in various e-formats. Anyway, that’s what I spend most of my free time on these days – when I am not working as an anti-money laundering consultant, which is my day job (and explains the fascination with financial crime…).

The cover of Portraits of Pretence, a novel by Sue Grossey

Cath Livingstone (Roud Mayne) I was surprised and delighted to be awarded a MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours (Defence Division) this summer for my innovation and enthusiasm in medical training for the Army Medical Services. I have also been appointed as Head of Service for Critical Care at the Hospital where I work. While not as exciting as receiving a MBE, it has the potential for far greater effects – I hope I manage to live up to both of these accolades.

NEW HALL SOCIETY REVIEW 2017

1985 Catherine Matthews (Dingle) I’m still working at Actis LLP, an emerging market private equity fund manager, as Director of Reward. Ed and I celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary, and our three children are now 17, 15 and 14. Rather late in life, I’ve taken up triathlon and am loving it! I represented GB twice in 2017 as part of the Age Group team: at the European Championships in Denmark for the half iron distance, and at the World Championships in Rotterdam for the Olympic distance.

Lucy Pavesi (Harrison) This year I took up a new role as Director and Deputy Qualified Person for Pharmacovigilance at Johnson & Johnson, after more than 22 years working at Procter & Gamble. Also my son and daughter are now both graduates themselves – Eliot graduated last year from Northumbria University (Graphic Design), and Alice from the University of Bristol in July (Physiology – so Professor Huang will be pleased!).

Lucinda Wood (Cane) In June my husband got posted to Kuwait – so I have spent the last four months experiencing a very different way of life and temperatures around 50 degrees! I am attempting to learn Arabic and have joined Advocates for Western Arab Relations (AWARE) to meet people; learning to ride a camel is on my bucket list as well as to make the most of the coast now that day temperatures are falling. I went white water rafting in Bali this summer (another bucket list activity) and NHBC members from the late 80s may recognise my black & white lycra one piece (made specially by Godfreys for the Mays First IV and still going strong)!

1986 Melanie Nicoll (Crowther) Juggling two part-time jobs seems to have become the norm for me in the last few years. My “core” job remains as campaigns co-ordinator with the John Muir Trust conservation charity. To this I have added a spell as an orienteering development officer and, currently, some consultancy work for another environmental campaign, both from home. The older daughter has departed for Edinburgh University where there are uncanny parallels with my student days –

ALUMNAE NEWS

studying French, and rowing. Not wishing to be outdone I am also now rowing again, thanks to a fledgling club on the Tay – a daunting prospect after the still waters of the Cam, even more so as I am learning to scull though so far have only braved the quad and pair! This new focus has kept me sane as I recover from cruciate ligament surgery, meaning that hillrunning and orienteering are currently vetoed. The younger daughter has just begun the three consecutive years of study/exams that make up the Scottish system. I continue to love being part of an amazing community where particular interests for me are our community orchard, local film club and community organic vegetable growing project. We also work with the powers that be in the design phase for the dualling of the A9 Perth-Inverness road. Continued involvement in the orienteering club, the school parent council and a few other things means that we are still to finish the decorating we didn’t complete when we moved into our house 18 years ago, my violin sits woefully unattended – and the less said about the “garden” the better! I enjoyed a great weekend back in Cambridge in September with some of my rowing cohort and other New Hall friends, and plans are afoot for a further get-together in 2018. Any visiting rowers to the Perth area please get in touch if you fancy an outing!

1987 Francisca Oboh-Ikuenobe (Oboh) I have been elected a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), and will be inducted on 17 February 2018 in Austin, Texas.

1988 Bridget Byrne I have been promoted to a Professor of Sociology at the University of Manchester and am still living in Manchester with my partner and two children. I’m currently writing my third book All in the Mix – on how race and class feature in parents’ discussions of school choice – which will be published by Manchester University Press in 2018.

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1989 YEAR REP: ABBE BROWN (LOCKHART) I was appointed Professor in Intellectual Property Law at the University of Aberdeen in August 2017. My sons Hamish (2002) and Ross (2004) continue to grow and my husband Robbie has finally bought his farm.

Anna Davies I have been appointed to The National Climate Change Advisory Council in Ireland, and also advise the Irish Government in its Citizens Assembly on Climate Change and its input into the European Union’s Food 2030 programme. My publications this year include Davies, A.R., Edwards, F., Marovelli, B., Morrow, O., Rut, M., Weymes, M. (2017) Creative construction: Crafting, negotiating and performing urban food sharing landscapes. The podcast for my inaugural lecture as Chair of Geography, Environment and Society at Trinity College Dublin can be accessed here: www.ems.tcd.ie/inaugurallectures/Anna.php – it includes a special mention of the College!

Kate Kardooni (Burnham) I am still living in London, and both kids (Nika 13 and Soraya 11) are now at secondary schools in St Albans. My business, Kardooni Consulting (www.kardooniconsulting.co.uk), is going well. I now offer not only Executive Coaching but also Accounting, having now received my ICAEW practising certificate – it’s an interesting mix of disciplines! I can’t believe it’s now 25 years since I left New Hall. How time flies!

Abigail Wollston (Wall) I am continuing to develop my role as music therapist in Suffolk and South Cambridegshire. I am also continuing to perform cello in diverse settings, including with the Hesperides Quartet and as an member of Le Collectif International des Improvisateurs with whom I travelled to Jeju Island in South Korea as part of a festival of East/West Therapeutic Performance Art.

ALUMNAE NEWS

1990 Elspeth Duncan One of the many things I do is teach Kundalini Yoga. I live in Tobago and have a 7-day retreat coming up at Castara Retreats in August 2018. You can find more information here: www.thouartyoga.com/power-inyou-2018-retreat.html. It would be great to have fellow New Hallers attending and also holidaying in/discovering Tobago!

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Lynne Guyton Having worked for Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Foundation for four years, latterly as the CEO, from April I was appointed CEO of John Lyon’s Charity. This charity gives grants to benefit children and young people up to the age of 25 who live in nine boroughs in northwest London. Since 1991, the John Lyon’s Charity has distributed over £100million to a range of organisations that seek to promote the life-chances of children and young people through education. I oversee the Charity’s large asset portfolio and set the strategic direction for grant giving.

Liz Larkin (Edden)

Elspeth pictured with her dogs Venus and Lucy.

Sarah George (Robinson) I work as a Subject Librarian at the University of Bradford, and was awarded a national Teaching Fellowship this year. It was in recognition of my work with students and academics to improve teaching and learning, and encourage and enable good academic practice through collaborative and innovative approaches.

I continue to be based in Birmingham and work for the National Education Union, advising those in education on their employment rights and negotiate both individually and collectively. I am a single parent co-raising my children as well as walking our rescue dog. In rare moments of free time I am currently learning to make porcelain and enjoy the varied cultural delights of a wonderful City.

Annette Pranzioch I’m now working at the Royal Commonwealth Society after 18 years as a barrister!

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1991

1994

Judith Summer (Zeital)

Joanna Ahlkvist (Tattersﬁeld)

I have been involved in updating various insurance law practitioner text books by Sweet & Maxwell for the past decade, whilst also investing in and developing property. I have now started a property finding and developing business where I employ my skills for others: www.simmaproperties.co.uk. I have published a book about how to buy a house and another about how to sell one, which can be found via Amazon.

I’ve now been in Sweden for nearly 15 years, where I live with my Swedish husband and three children aged 11, 9 and 6. I moved there after completing my houseman jobs, having met my future husband at medical school. I’ve completed my speciality training in Radiology here in Sweden and was recently appointed as consultant at my local Radiology department in Nyköping. I remain editor of the national Swedish Junior Doctors magazine and sit on the national Junior Doctors Committee of the Swedish Medical Society, positions I will relinquish in March when my term ends as I am no longer a junior! I write occasional columns in various papers and have expanded my knowledge of social media communication recently – I’d like to focus more on writing. We live on a smallholding in the countryside surrounded by forest and animals but central Stockholm is only an hour away by train – a very different life than the one I’d expected whilst at Cambridge.

1993 Rosie Strachan (Bain) I work as a PR consultant for public and third sector clients. I have two lively boys, Sam and Luke, who are both now in school, and I have just started a theology degree. I am still good friends with my six New Hall housemates after nearly 25 years!

Lucy van Hove (Young) This year, around May time, an opportunity came up for us to sell a small holiday cottage and trade it in for a 40ft catamaran and sail round the world – and we’ve decided to go for it with our three children. My

ALUMNAE NEWS

husband is a great sailor, despite being from a landlocked country. I have been on the sum total of three sailing holidays on my own with him – one of which was our honeymoon. We have rented out our London house and in the space of a couple of months we have cleared out of two houses, given pretty much everything away bar one sofa putting it with memories and clothes that fit into three storage containers. Oh, and one small box of treasured possessions I have left with my parents. I have packed the next two years into one suitcase per person, it is crazy! We have met huge resistance along the way, but also support from many unexpected quarters. My father is 95 – his eyes light up each time I talk about the trip. My mother, 86 is more concerned but stoically resigned. Most of my siblings are talking to me and my brother will come to France to see us off and drive the car home and look after it!

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1995 YEAR REP: KRISTIN-ANNE RUTTER

Debbie Bowen (Matthews) I have recently returned from a secondment to Chicago where I set up Legal and General’s US product development function. It was an amazing experience and my family and I loved our time there. Our son Adam was born in June and we returned recently so our daughter could start school in the UK. I am now enjoying my maternity leave until next year. I am looking forward to seeing some of my New Hall friends at Christmas time and fitting in some travels to the US and New Zealand in the New Year.

Emma Edgell (Matthews) Natalie Klein My work for the International Committee of the Red Cross has now taken us to Israel, where the family is settling well. I took the opportunity of a few months of leave in 2017 to reconnect with my academic roots. I joined the Global Humanitarianism Research Academy in Mainz / Exeter for two weeks, exploring how my old passion (and PhD topic) of the 1820s Greek Committees links to the founding of the Red Cross movement 40 years later.

In summer 2017 we moved to Hong Kong. We have settled in Discovery Bay, Lantau for a couple of years, while my husband covers a pan-Asia role. Our apartment looks over the beach and bay with the city in the distance. With neighbours from around the world, it’s quite a change from our life in St Albans. I’m spending my time settling my family, Jacob now 8 and Hannah, 6, and planning our Asian experience. So far we have explored some of the city sights, wetlands and heritage buildings in the northern new territories and some

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of Hong Kong’s scenic islands and their beaches. We have overseas trips booked to Singapore and Thailand, with many more on the wish list for 2018. While considering my skills, experience and future direction, I’m improving my tennis game. I’ll be sad to miss Christmas afternoon tea this year with my New Hall friends Sarah Mrkusic (Browning), Marie-Anne Martin, Claire Bassett (Chambers) and Debbie Bowen (Matthews).

community dialogues. A key aim of the system is to democratise the research process by empowering data collectors in communities, and ensuring that the findings from the quality data they collect remains in the community and can be interpreted and used there to negotiate with municipal and national policy makers.

1996 YEAR REP: VICTORIA KEEVIL

Hannah Begbie Emma (le ) pictured with her family.

Tara Polzer Ngwato (Polzer) tara@socialsurveys.co.za I am the Research Director and Chief Operating Officer of Social Surveys Africa, which conducts research for social development and social justice across the African continent. With my colleagues, I am currently building a system of tools and relationships which integrate expert research design and interpretation with large scale youth training and employment, advanced data science, data visualisation and multi-stakeholder policy-maker and

I graduated from New Hall in 1999 and went on to become theatrical agent for writers and comedians after spending a lot of time at the ADC as a student. I stopped being an agent after my youngest son was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis and went on to join the board of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust as a trustee. Many of my former clients have since been involved in various fundraisers for the disease. I have since secured a two book deal with Harper Collins having written a novel inspired by the diagnosis of my youngest son’s illness: www.thebookseller. com/news/harpercollins-snaps-dark-debutnovel-former-agent-begbie-655421.

ALUMNAE NEWS

Rohani Omar My husband and I are delighted to announce the birth of our fourth son over the summer this year. Since graduating from medical sciences at Cambridge and completing membership of the Royal College of Physicians, I continued specialty training in Neurology at the National Hospital for Neurology in Queen Square, obtaining a MD(Res) doctoral degree from UCL, before moving into Audiovestibular Medicine. I live in London with my husband and children.

1997 Shazanna Karim (Safdar) I have resigned from being partner of a law firm, Technology Law Alliance, and set up a new business specialising in family clothing – Ice Karim, www.icekarim.com.

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1998 Bella D’Abrera I am now living in Melbourne and working for a Think Tank called the Institute of Public Affairs. I am the Director of a programme called the Foundations of Western Civilisation Program. I am currently spending all my time battling the destructive and pernicious left wing post-modernist Marxist ideology of identity politics which has infiltrated universities in Australia. I am speaking out against the insanity of safe spaces, triggers warnings and the idea that the West and our Western heritage is that of ‘dead white males’ and thus something to be ashamed of. I make films, write articles, and appear on television and the radio, expounding the values of Western Civilisation in the face of left-wing aggression which seeks to curtail freedom of speech!

Kate Morrison I last sent news to Murray Edwards when I was about to move to Bristol in 2011. Over the past six years I’ve got married (to Jonny, who studied environmental science at UEA so also spent time in the cold fenland winters), had two children (Jack and Charlie), bought a house and finished a novel. A Book of Secrets is set in the print trade in 16th Century London. I received an Arts

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Council Grant in 2012 to complete the novel and from 2012–2016 I was a Visiting Scholar at Bath Spa University’s ‘Book, Text and Place 1500 – 1750’ research centre, which gave me access to many online journals and useful resources. The book was longlisted for the Mslexia Unpublished Novel Award in 2015 but was rejected by about 23 publishers before finally being picked up by Jacaranda Books. It will be published in Autumn 2018. I started writing it in 2002 just after I left Cambridge, inspired by my dissertations on Renaissance literature, and I am currently in the middle of what is hopefully the last round of edits. 16 years to write a novel – hopefully the next one will be quicker... We’re about to embark on a move back from Bristol, where we’ve lived for six years, to Sussex, where both sets of grandparents live. We are looking forward to being closer to family.

Serena Scott (Dobson) I am coming to the end of a super Tour in Germany as the Royal Navy Exchange Officer at the Marineschule Mürwik. It has been a fascinating job, with the added bonus being that our three boys are now bilingual! As is often the case, we are waiting to hear what my next posting will be, and in which corner of the globe. We’ve made it back to my parents in Bath quite frequently, and had a good reunion there with four New Hall girls, and their nine children and two husbands in tow!

2001 Emma Turner (Huggins) Baby Grace Elizabeth Turner was born on 20 May 2017, weighing 8lb 8oz.

2002 Kate and her husband Jonny on their wedding day

Kathryn Bigg (Hurrell) We welcomed Joseph into the world on 20 November 2017, a little brother for Matthew and Thomas.

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2003

2004

Alia Azmi

Emma Medina-Wallace

My oldest child, Hasan, started school this year and so far is really enjoying it, long may that continue! In 2016 I had a baby girl called Esma, she turned one this year and is an absolute delight. I’m still plugging away at my career in corporate law but am trying to set up a food business on the side, watch this space. We also bought our first home recently and are settled, for the time-being at least, in South-East London.

I have two bits of news: firstly I moved back to Cambridge this year, and secondly I got married on 28 May 2017 to my wonderful husband Stuart Wallace, who is Director of Studies in Law at Homerton. I’m now working as a Senior Associate in the commercial property team at Birketts LLP.

Sarah-Jean Cunningham I graduated from New Hall (Engineering) in 2007. I have spent the decade since then in the Middle East and Asia region, working in aid and development for NGOs and UN agencies. This year I established a technical services consultancy that specialises in behavioural change research and communications. We provide services to the public sector in conflict and post-conflict contexts. You can see more about the organisation here: www.magentaconsulting.org.

Sophie Pickering I read Classics at New Hall from 2004 – 2007 and I am now an associate working in the real estate department at a City law firm called Ashurst LLP. I am mother of Alice who was born on 3 January 2016 and we live near Highbury and Islington. I am Chair of the Silver Street Group and on the Committee for the Cambridge University Land Society and spend much of my time helping graduates who are making their way in the real estate world. For example, this year I organised a Halloween Wine Tasting which is a networking event and I was a representative of CULS for the Property Careers Fair at the Guildhall in Cambridge.

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2005

2007

YEAR REP: REHANA KHANAM

YEAR REP: EMMA BRIDLE (RIORDAN)

Naomi Message (Keeling)

Amy Graham

Last June I gave up my job and spent five months walking 3000km from London to Jerusalem, to mark 100 years since the Balfour Declaration, and in solidarity with all those who work for peace, justice and full equal rights for all in Palestine / Israel. I walked as part of a group with a small human rights charity, Amos Trust.

I left my role as Local History Officer at Kingston upon Thames at the end of April after being accepted onto a PhD with the Heritage Consortium, made up of students from seven universities in the North-East and Yorkshire, funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council. I’ve now bought my first little flat in Sheffield and am a month into my PhD with Sheffield Hallam which is an incredibly friendly and creative institution. I’m also completing a PGcert in Heritage Research with Hull University this year, so plenty to keep me busy. My research is theorising the ‘Heritage of Everyday Life’ and is positioned somewhere between critical heritage studies, geography and cultural theory, using the case study of London bus traveller experience. It’s fun! Sending good wishes to my fellow 2007 intake, I hope life is bringing you happiness and unexpected adventures.

2006 Helen Ames Last September (September 2016) I handed in my doctoral thesis, I passed my viva in January 2017 and I collected my doctorate at the beginning of July. The title of my thesis was Implementing Super-resolution PALM microscopy in ﬁssion yeast. This September I started a new job as a Commissioning Editor with the Royal Society of Chemistry.

ALUMNAE NEWS

Katrin Menzel When I finished my PhD in linguistics at the beginning of 2017 I joined a fascinating research project in Saarbrücken, Germany, on the evolution of scientific English from the 17th century to the present. We have built large corpora of scientific texts, containing for instance the digitized texts of the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London, the world’s longestrunning scientific journal. I am particularly interested in the productivity of various word formation strategies in these texts. During this year, I also spent some time at the School of History at St Andrews and at the Royal Society in London. I was also able to visit Cambridge for a day trip in the summer.

Jessica Powell This year has been great fun as I have been serving as the Mayor for Torfaen County Borough Council – I think I might be the youngest woman to have done so at county level in Wales. Engagements so far have encompassed all manner of weird and wonderful, from cutting a toilet paper ribbon on a fancy new convenience to blowing the whistle to open the Men’s Roller Derby World Championships!

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2008 Corina Logan I am excited to have lined up my next position: Senior Researcher at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, Germany, which starts in May 2018. This position will allow me to greatly expand my research on behavioral flexibility in great-tailed grackles. I have also launched the #BulliedIntoBadScience campaign (www.bulliedintobadscience.org) where I am leading individuals and institutions in adopting open research practices to improve research rigour.

2009 YEAR REP: CARINA TYRRELL

2010 YEAR REP: ELIZABETH READ

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Clare Cotterill I qualified as a solicitor in September this year. I was offered (and accepted) a position on qualification at the law firm I trained at, Clyde & Co LLP, in their highly-regarded Professional and Financial Disputes team. The department’s work includes general commercial litigation, coverage work, and the defence of a range of professional service firms, including law firms, accountants, property and construction professionals and insurance professionals.

is much overlap between psychiatry and rheumatology and I am therefore grateful for the excellent teaching and opportunities I have received during my psychiatry placements (at Cambridge and in Lancaster), and will carry these skills through to my future career.

Mrinalini Dey I am working as an FY2 Academic Foundation Doctor in Lancaster, following my graduation from Murray Edwards College in 2016. In November, I was awarded the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ Foundation Doctor of the Year Award. This was for my first placement after graduation, which was in psychiatry, and the nomination was based on my clinical work, teaching, and research skills. This included initiating a communication skills teaching scheme for medical students coming through the psychiatry unit, and completing a multi-centre audit on documentation of prescribing, for which I won first prize at the North West Royal College of Psychiatrists Conference 2016. The full results are currently under review for publication. My clinical and research interests lie in rheumatology; however, there

Mrinalini is presented with the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ Foundation Doctor of the Year Award award by Ann Boyle, Associate Postgraduate Dean at Health Education England, and Honorary Associate Professor at the University of Leicester

Jennie Flint I finished my PhD at Murray Edwards in 2014. This year I celebrated the one year anniversary of working for Cambridge Enterprise in technology transfer and it’s an amazing job that I love, and I’m really happy to be working there post academia.

Frances Narvaez I will marry my fiancé Daniel Fugère on April 7, 2018 in the Philippines

ALUMNAE NEWS

2011

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2012 YEAR REP: ROWANNE WILLETT

Cora Olbe This year (2017) I have published a popular science book. It is written in German (my native language) and I have written it together with my father who is a retired neuroscientist. The book focuses on Alzheimer’s disease, depression and stroke. We outline the current state of what is known about what causes these diseases, down to the molecules within cells. Based on these processes we then discuss how individuals can alter their lifestyle to minimise their personal risk of developing these debilitating diseases. (Spoiler alert: Nutrition/obesity, physical activity and stress are the big three). In case you are interested, you can have a look at the book here: www.amazon.de/ Hirnwellness-Hirnschlag-Depressionenpr%C3%A4ventiven-M%C3%B6glichkeiten/ dp/3456856059

Itxaso Araque Barriuso itxaso@amazon.com After my year at Murray Edwards (2012-2013), I started a PhD in Marketing at Trinity Hall, Cambridge. I finished in 2016 and worked in a start-up and also Venture Capital. I’ve just moved to Berlin to work as a Venture Capital Business Development Manager at Amazon Web Services. I consult Venture Capitalists to optimise the business models of their start-ups and scale using Amazon Web Services. If any alumnae would like to get in touch, I would be more than happy to talk to them in person or via email.

2013

Josie Smith

YEAR REP: OLWEN WILSON

This year I bought my first house! I live in Christchurch, New Zealand, and am having fun discovering gardening for the first time.

Adriana Da Silva Guerenabarrena I would like to share that I married my wife on 2 September here in Copenhagen, where we’ve lived together for the last two years.

NEW HALL SOCIETY REVIEW 2017

How time flies. Those were my opening words to my report last year, and once again we have had a busy year. The College has changed in many ways over the last 60+ years. Not only does it have more students and Fellows, but it has (like all of us) had to adapt to the changing world. Courage has been the theme in the features in this year’s review. How you define courage, to some extent, depends on your personality and experiences, but perhaps it is summoning the strength to take control of your life. This may involve being proactive to create change, or it may mean being able to accept the status quo, however challenging that may be. Under our President, Dame Barbara Stocking, who as an alumna has a deep understanding of the roots and idiosyncrasies of this distinctive and unique College, and with her clear vision and passion for its future, the College continues to remain a women only College. For many this may seem a courageous decision, and although there are some, particularly in the wider world, who will disagree with the need for a women only college, personally I am proud to be associated with one which is prepared to stand by its principles and work towards giving our young students the best opportunities to move successfully forward in life.

During my time on the New Hall Society committee I have seen several College Presidents come and go; the Development Office has grown to be a professional team supporting the College and alumnae body; and the name of the College has changed from New Hall to Murray Edwards. As the alumnae body today numbers nearly 6000, of which we are in touch with more than 4500, we are currently looking at the relationship of the New Hall Society with the College and identifying how we can best support each other. We are reflecting on how the committee can stay relevant to an ever growing alumnae body with a wide range of needs – needs which change as each alumna moves through life. We want to ensure that we can efficiently facilitate communication between alumnae and the College and with each other. The committee has its own ideas about what this contact should be, and about alumnae events in Cambridge, regionally, worldwide and within year groups and disciplines. We largely represent the alumnae body in terms of matriculation decades and breadth of disciplines – but we would like your input, and you will be able to contact us via our new, dedicated email address. In addition we are taking steps to ensure current students are aware of us and what we do. It is always a pleasure to meet them at events such as the International Day Dinner

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT 2016-17

and Alumnae Weekend, and I am always so impressed by their enthusiasm for life and their love of the College. Naturally we are limited by about how much support a busy Development Office can give and the time of volunteers, but we want your ideas to ensure we do remain relevant. We are all at different stages in our lives with different foci – career, parenthood, entrepreneurship, travel – you name it and there will almost certainly be an alumna who is doing it.

Tessa is pictured with her daughter Harriet (left) at Harriet’s wedding party in July 2017.

I am very grateful to my fellow members of the committee who continue to give freely of their time, despite their busy lives. They continue to voice excellent ideas and remain fully supportive of what we are trying to achieve. We hold committee meetings once each term, which involves some members joining us by Skype and now Zoom. This means we can maintain a geographical diversity as well as improve representation across decades, and ensures that we can pool our different experiences when deciding on events and communications. Donna Etiebet, New Hall, 2004, stepped down from the committee in the summer when she accepted a post in Nigeria, and I would like to thank her for her contributions to the New Hall Society. Once again Claudia Bray (Freeman), New Hall, 1993, organized a most enjoyable family day, this year

NEW HALL SOCIETY REVIEW 2017

How you define courage, to some extent, depends on your personality and experiences, but perhaps it is summoning the strength to take control of your life

with the novel spectacle of Daniela Kotzmann, from the Development Office, reading to the younger children from inside the College bird’s nest! I would also like to thank our newest committee member, Sylvie Watts, New Hall, 1980, and longest serving, Elizabeth Waldram (Collins), New Hall, 1955, for their hard work on the subcommittee looking at the roles, aims and development of the New Hall Society and its relationship with the Development Office – which I would also like to thank for its continued support. You will see elsewhere in the Review that in November we lost alumna Pat Houghton

(Slawson), New Hall, 1955. Matriculating in 1955 Pat remained very active in the College for many years. She was one of the first chairmen of the New Hall Society and was kind enough to come in to give us the benefit of her knowledge of creating New Hall Lives I (The Silver Street Years), when a decade later we created New Hall Lives II. A keen photographer, she took many iconic pictures of New Hall, and I was privileged to attend her funeral and hear the wonderful tribute given by her daughter Rosy Pantling, some of which is included on page 115, which showed how much the College meant to Pat. I belong to the retired, or about to retire generation – one which is largely time rich and economically comfortable (although perhaps with the problems of elderly parents). New graduates are focused on their careers and tend not to be looking back to their undergraduate years. Others are mid-career, coping with the stresses or juggling work and a new family. However, we want to ensure the New Hall Society is relevant to all of you. All alumnae of the College are automatically members – it is your society. Tessa Kilvington-Shaw (1970) Chairman newhallsocietycommittee@ murrayedwards.cam.ac.uk

Student of Murray Edwards College

Matriculate

What is the New Hall Society? Fellow of Murray Edwards College

Graduate

Alumna

Lifetime member of the New Hall Society

Keep in contact with us newhallsociety@ murrayedwards.cam.ac.uk Emails to all alumnae from the College will be sent from this address. Alumnae can also contact the alumnae relations team in the Development Oﬃce by emailing to this address

newhallsociety committee@ murrayedwards.cam.ac.uk Emails to members of the New Hall Society committee can be sent to this address. It will be picked up by the alumnae relations team and forwarded unread to the relevant committee member

development@

alumnae@

murrayedwards.cam.ac.uk

Development Oﬃce emails to members of the New Hall Society about fundraising will be sent from this address. Alumnae can also use it to contact the Development Oﬃce with fundraising queries

This email will be replaced by newhallsociety@ murrayedwards.cam.ac.uk

Who are the New Hall Society Committee?

CHAIR: Dr Tessa Kilvington-Shaw 1970

Professor Abbe Brown (Lockhart) 1989

Retired technical journalist

Professor in intellectual property law

Dr Elizabeth Waldram (Collins) 1955 Emeritus Research Associate in Astrophysics

Dr Owen Saxton Emeritus Fellow in Physics

Sylvie Watts 1980

Paola Filipucci 1985

Board and remuneration committee member and business consultant

Fellow in Social Anthropology

Catherine Picardo (Mackie) 1992 Criminal barrister

Claudia Bray (Freeman) 1993 Curriculum leader of modern languages

Fiona Duffy Director of Development

Dr Camilla Cheung (Bhakri) 2001 General Practitioner

Fran Henson 1985 Fellow in Veterinary Science

Philippa Walters 2006 Vice President at Barclays Investment Bank

The features of the New Hall Society Review 2018 are set loosely around the theme of courage. Courage means different things to different people and successes and achievements are often personal. Some just decide to take the future course of their life into their own hands. Others stand up for their principles, however challenging that may be and whatever the personal consequences. Yet others have emotional, spiritual and / or physical challenges to overcome. In this edition we are celebrating the stories of some of our alumnae who have had the confidence and summoned the willpower to shape their own life and to be who they are, as well as the courage to follow their dreams and to challenge themselves. It is this sort of courage which we hope will inspire current students at Murray Edwards College so that when they graduate they leave with the self-belief that they can make their way in the world and are unafraid to follow their dreams.

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Hidden, unwanted, and scary – a call to ministry in the church

Jack was in his early forties, but looked

our ways, we learned his. He regularly contributed to group discussions. In turn, our ears became used to his speech – and because we really listened, his speech seemed to become clearer. With help, he doggedly followed the service in the prayer book, struggling to read and to speak the words … and we learned to slow down, especially as we prayed the Lord’s Prayer, so that we could truly join together to worship God. Newcomers often found Jack’s ways a bit different. When necessary, I used to say that if we got to heaven, he would be the one to open the door for us.

considerably older. He moved with a lurch, his speech was indistinct and limited. He lived in a home which cared for people with psycho-social disorders. On Sundays and Wednesdays he would regularly call at St Peter’s for a cup of coffee and something to eat before the service of Holy Communion. Jack would never stay for the service… until one day, he did. A parishioner guided him to the altar rail and showed him what to do. I reached out to place a wafer of bread in his hands. His face lit up, as I had never seen it before. ‘Thank you!’ was his heartfelt response.

My life has been full. Granddaughter, daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, emigrant/immigrant. Studies in Greek and Latin languages and ancient history; teaching/education at university and preschool levels; work in the fledgling discipline of Hospital Play. Always, though, my career came second, fitted into the primary focus: offering love, energy and time to my husband John through the twists of his career, and to our four wonderful children (and now two grandchildren). How much they have given me!

From then on, Jack became part of the worshipping community. He learned

Threaded through the years, hidden, unwanted, and scary, has been a call to some

Anne Priestley (Whitby) New Hall, 1968

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form of ministry in the church. I became aware of it in my teens, and it did not go away, although its exact shape remained obscure. My major role model of faith was my mother, someone I did not want to follow. Though several women called me to consider the priesthood, it seemed too hard! So I took a long detour, exploring various facets of faith – scripture, feminist theology, creation spirituality, alternative ways of being church. At one stage I abandoned church as being too painful. Could atheism, a post-God stance, be the answer? It was a difficult, often dark and lonely search. But something, or someone, did not let go of me. The passage of years, and what I can only call a divine gift of illumination concerning family dynamics, eventually permitted me to accept the call and to open

myself to the Church for consideration and discernment. 12 years ago, at the ripe age of 55, I was ordained deacon in the Anglican Church in Aotearoa New Zealand. Priesting followed one year later. All my experience, it turns out, is useful in my current calling – including my experience of ‘mental breakdown.’ This came at the end of my year as a deacon, when present stress re-activated old wounds. I was committed to hospital for several days, and afterwards spent weeks with a psychiatrist and months with a psychotherapist. My bishop was lovely, showing no hesitation about ordaining me priest. I haven’t felt able to share this part of my history in a sermon, but it has been very useful in pastoral situations, where I have sometimes confided it in order to establish common ground.

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I’ve spent most of the last 12 years in parish ministry, where good mentors helped to shape me as priest. It’s been a privilege to serve first in an inner-city parish and then in a suburban-centre parish. In both of these places, the congregation included street people and graduates with advanced theological degrees, tangata whenua (Maori) and tangata tiriti (the people of many races who arrived in NZ later than Maori), many languages, many theological persuasions. I was sent to the second of these places to support the co-vicars, husband and wife, when she had been diagnosed with terminal cancer, and so I walked with the congregation through ordinary and extraordinary situations, while she hung on and then let go. One deeply significant night – in Maori/Pasifika style, her body was brought to church on the night before her funeral for hours of prayer, Gospel witness, story-telling, tears, laughter, and personal farewells. There could be no format for such a time, but people gracefully took turns – including two Tongan brass bands who just showed up and supported our voices with their mellifluous sound. Holding the people during that service was my task. One year later, I became vicar there for some years, and assisted the transition from my predecessors’ interrupted ministry into a new era. (They now have a much younger vicar.) The work of a parish priest includes the great privilege of close relationship with many people, sharing sorrows and joys, visiting, listening, always praying. Ensuring selfcare, including adequate rest, is a constant challenge.

Twelve years ago, at the ripe age of 55, I was ordained deacon in the Anglican Church in Aotearoa New Zealand. Priesting followed one year later

Now I am Warden of a tiny retreat centre in the Far North of New Zealand. I lead prayers, preside at Eucharist, cook meals, wash dishes, launder sheets, set possum traps, write poetry… still learning, still integrating past and present. My contract there ends soon, but priests and grandmothers never retire. The call continues. More lies ahead. The journey does not end.

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Uncharted seas: a memoir from 1993 the US Navy’s Seventh Fleet, homeported in Yokosuka, Japan. In the finest Naval tradition, they wanted me there yesterday, so after waiting over twelve years, I got to check out of my command, pack out of my apartment, and jump on a westward-bound airplane in just under three days.

Eileen MacKrell New Hall, 1977

I was commissioned as an Intelligence Officer in the US Navy in 1981, when US law prohibited women from serving on combatant ships. All the seagoing intelligence jobs were of course on aircraft carriers, amphibious assault ships, and fleet flagships – combatants – so I began asking to be assigned to one, since that way lay adventure, promotion and career prospects. But for my first twelve years of service I heard only sympathetic chuckles from the assignments officers in Washington. In 1993 that changed. POTUS (President of the United States) directed the Navy to allow women to serve on combatant ships, and Congress scrambled to rewrite the laws accordingly. When word of the impending change came down, I was stationed in Rota, Spain. I was notified that I would be getting orders to USS Blue Ridge, the flagship of

And now here I was, walking up the brow of my new ship, the first female intelligence officer ever to be assigned to a combatant ship – and wondering what on earth I had got myself into. My male counterparts had all done at least one or two sea tours by this point in their careers. I had not. So in addition to learning my new job and snapping into my new team, I spent much of the first few days trying not to look too lost as I tried to sort out whether I was walking forward or aft. It was a rather odd time in the US Navy. The Tailhook scandal two years prior had embarrassed the Navy and made it clear that the integration of women into the Navy had a ways to go yet. Many officers felt that successfully integrating women at sea would help the Navy navigate past Tailhook to a more positive future. The snag, of course, is that we had no guidelines for how this would work. Social mores were changing ashore even faster than they were in the Navy, and most of the traditional ways in which men and

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women dealt honorably and effectively with each other were being upended. For the first few months I was onboard, there were exactly two women on the Blue Ridge, a communications officer and me, in a crew of about 960. Everyone spent the first few months walking on eggshells while we sorted out what the new rules would be. As a small but amusing example, the male heads (what sailors call the men’s room) had small brass plaques affixed to their doors, reading MALE HEAD. The female head, however, had a brass plaque reading POWDER ROOM. I asked the ship’s XO why it didn’t say FEMALE HEAD and he shrugged and said, “Well, we wanted them to look nice.” We got the plaque changed to FEMALE HEAD.

Here I was, walking up the brow of my new ship, the first female intelligence oﬃcer ever to be assigned to a combatant ship – and wondering what on earth I had got myself into

While most of my shipmates were willing to make a mixed-crew ship work, several sailors made a point of telling me that women did not belong on ships or in the Navy at all. One salty old Chief said the integration of women afloat was the reason he was resigning early. I did not try too hard to persuade him to stay. That kind of unreasoning opposition could not always be overcome. The wives of our fellow officers presented a different problem, as some of them feared that their husbands would be up to no good with the female officers underway. A rumour started of waterbeds aboard the ship (who thinks these things up? Waterbeds on a ship!) and that had to be squelched. It took several months for the wives to relax, get to know us, and accept that we were not out to ravish their husbands when we went to sea. Part of the opposition came from the suspicion that this was another social programme, that women were not up to the rigours of life at sea, that we couldn’t do the job. The only way to overcome that perception

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Far left: Eileen (right) pictured with her sister Betsy on her retirement from the Navy in 2011 Left: Eileen pictured in the Al Faw Palace in Baghdad sitting on the chair given to Saddam Hussein by Yasser Arafat

was to prove it wrong. We were acutely aware that we were breaking trail, and that any misstep would reflect on all female sailors. So we worked the extra hours to prove ourselves competent, hit the books, stood the watches. I mastered the strategic understanding and depth of knowledge necessary to become a skilled intelligence analyst and briefer, able to explain and interpret complex events in the nations around us. And we learned where to draw the line with our junior sailors, both male and female. After we had been on board for some six months, the detailing system caught up, and gradually more women reported aboard until there were some 100 women on board. This mass of women meant that the novelty was

gone; there were female enlisted leaders as well as junior sailors, and we gradually came to an equilibrium. By the time I left the ship in 1995, I was solidly a member of the Blue Ridge team, and women were well on their way to being accepted as members of the fighting force. My experience on Blue Ridge stood me in good stead when I went back to sea as the Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence on an aircraft carrier, and our battle group went into combat against the Taliban a few weeks after 9/11. At that point I was rather grateful that we had successfully navigated the uncharted waters of integrating women years before and were not struggling to build an effective fighting force while we were actually fighting a war!

NEW HALL SOCIETY REVIEW 2017

From New Hall Natsci to Tokyo Tailor

Jo Wilkinson (Kirby) New Hall, 1983

At school I was good at everything except needlework, so the decision to give up my job as an executive director at a Fortune 100 company to start a tailoring company in Tokyo could best be described, like most major decisions in my life, as reckless rather than courageous. I studied (in the loosest possible sense of the word) Physics in my final year at Cambridge. After graduation, I took the first job offered (at GEC Avionics) so that I could get a loan to visit Canada before I started. Why Canada? No idea. Until that point, I hadn’t travelled further than France and had never been on a plane. I decided to go to Expo ‘86 in Vancouver and spent a wonderful few weeks hitchhiking round the Rockies. My family and friends had no idea where I was and it didn’t occur to me that this was problematic until I got a lift with a strange man who had a gun and a bible on his car dashboard!

After returning unscathed, I started work only to find that my job was very dull and the sole contribution of my boss was to add “subsequently” to every second sentence of the research reports he reviewed. So I made my first career change, joining MSD pharmaceuticals in their operations division. In contrast to GEC, I had an interesting job and an excellent manager. So why, four years later, did I decide to move to Japan? I didn’t speak Japanese, had no idea what to expect culturally, and didn’t have a job there. I spent the first three years in Japan living in a small town, doing part-time jobs ranging from teaching English to teaching British cooking in a Japanese department store. I learnt a lot about Japan, including that women rarely get senior positions in Japanese companies regardless of their qualifications and that Japan is an amazing place to live. After discovering that my husband was having an affair with a Brazilian stripper (I must write and thank her one day) I moved to Tokyo, worked for a scientific publishing company, then Honda for two years and got engaged to an American. After quitting my job, shipping my stuff to the US and giving up my apartment, I discovered (on the morning I was supposed to fly to the States) that he was already married. And so I found myself, at 32, in a friend’s spare room in London with no home, no job and no money. It’s a good thing that I didn’t have a life plan or I might have been disappointed with my progress.

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Things got better. Six weeks after arriving in London, a Glaswegian friend came to the UK and asked me to go back to Japan with him. I did. 20 years and two children later… I had decided never to work for a Japanese company again and so I applied for a job at Dell. At the time, Dell was a very small company in Japan and culturally a great fit for me. Risk-taking was positively encouraged, the company was growing very fast and they were willing to give me jobs for which I was totally unqualified. I started as a project manager and a few months later joined marketing. Marketing at Dell is more about product planning, pricing and supply-chain forecasting than brand building and so I had a lot of data on which to base my reckless decisions. The first product line that I managed reached the number one market share position within 18 months and after four years I was managing all hardware product lines. To cut a long story very short, I had 22 roles in 16 years at Dell including COO of Dell Japan. It was very demanding, often stressful and I loved it.

It is easy to be “courageous” when you have the support of incredible family and friends

So why did I leave? The main reasons were that I wanted to spend more time with my family and I wanted to contribute more to my adopted country. The earthquake that devastated the Tohoku region in 2011 was terrifying, the response of the Japanese government pitiful. I thought I could help by creating employment, so I combined two longterm hobbies (collecting vintage kimonos and making my own clothes) and Vintage Kimonos was born. Today, we work with two groups of tailors in Tohoku who turn my sketchy designs into amazing one-off silk creations. I am not allowed to do any tailoring - my sewing is not good enough! Have I learnt anything in the 31 years since I left New Hall? Mainly that it is easy to be “courageous” when you have the support of incredible family and friends.

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An ultra-late convert to cycling wonder what would have happened if I had come across it earlier. Happily it’s never too late and the large cohort of older women at road and cyclocross races testify to the mysterious truth that women seem to be able to maintain fitness longer and later than men, and that having children – though by no means a necessity – can actually enhance your capacity for endurance sports.

Catherine Coley (Daley) New Hall, 1987

To the surprise of my husband and horror of my children, I became a racing cyclist at the age of 46. This unlikely move followed years of indolence, and doubtless speaks of a fierce midlife crisis – but, if so, it comes highly recommended, for sheer joy as well as for the many lessons it has taught me about persistence, resilience and self-reliance. Maybe it’s just age, but I credit those experiences with making me less worried about anything in life – even public speaking, which I used to loathe. Doing a 60-mile bunch race, inches away from other cyclists and huddled in the wind and rain, tests not only physical limits but also mental capacity, and I have come to love those hours of living purely in the moment. As an ultra-late convert to the sport, I’m glad I found it eventually but sometimes

You might well ask how I got into it in the first place – in fact, I joined a local triathlon club at the age of 42, after my fourth baby, as going out for a run was my only chance for peace and quiet. Doing triathlon was a challenge as it involved learning to swim properly, and obviously I needed a bike too. The ancient bike with rod brakes that I had ridden at Cambridge – christened Attila and a beast to ride up Castle Hill – wasn’t going to fit the bill, so I found a little aluminium-framed racing bike at a local shop. I loved cycling immediately: the speed, the space and the fresh air. It reminded me of riding horses, which I did when I was younger – but without the complications or (to some extent) the cost. Out in the countryside, alone in the lanes or tackling the gritty Shropshire hills on a club run, it gave me a sense of freedom and taught me self-reliance; if I suffered a mechanical 45 miles from home on a Welsh hillside with

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no phone reception, I simply had to fix it or endure a very long, cold walk.

Doing a 60-mile bunch race, inches away from other cyclists and huddled in the wind and rain, tests not only physical limits but also mental capacity

It was hard work keeping up with the men – and 95% of club cyclists still are men – on my heavy little bike, and I wasn’t that fit, so I bought a lovely light carbon bike with an extra-small frame and bars. That is when I really began to enjoy cycling. I tried my first races in 2013. I came fifth or sixth in a few, was dropped (left behind by the bunch) a few times, then fiddled round with wheels and the set-up of the bike and won a couple of races. Fortunately I could get to the track at the iconic Herne Hill Velodrome – which a couple of years ago still had the original decaying grandstand from the 1948

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Every time I go out for a ride or a race I am grateful to have the health and opportunity to be able to do this London Olympics – and in the sessions there with some outstanding mentors learned how to ride in a group and when and how to sprint. I bought a couple more bikes (and now have seven – the number of bikes you require is always n+1), learned how to wield a sprocket wrench and true a wheel, and spent much more time observing the laws of physics than I ever did at school. Last year, aged 47, I gained my category 1 racing licence (there are 58 cat 1 women in the UK, and 22 elite women, including Katie Archibald and Laura Kenny) and this year, in my age category, I won the national masters circuit race, and the national masters points, scratch and pursuit titles on the track. I wince looking at the birth dates on the signon sheets at races, and seeing that some of my fellow competitors are younger than my eldest son, but then tell myself it’s a victory of sorts to be competing with them on equal terms despite the 30-year age gap. Every time

I go out for a ride or a race I am grateful to have the health and opportunity to be able to do this. Middle age brings with it recognition of frailty and transience, and a joy in small victories and pleasures. It also brings with it a growing sense of beauty in our countryside – I have cycled in most corners of England and Wales now, and a couple of times in the Alps, and love to see the cloud shadows on the hills, hear the wind in the leaves and enjoy the moment at the top of a hill when the sun briefly illuminates the view. I love the sense of community among cyclists, the many new friends I have made, the friendliness and wisdom they have shown and the unexpected encyclopaedic knowledge of local roads, towpaths, tracks and landmarks I’ve acquired. I hope I can pass this on to my children, and maybe to encourage a couple more people to take up the sport. It is hard but rewarding. It will bring you as much as you put into it. I could not recommend it more highly.

We always enjoy the opportunity to get together as alumnae to swap news and connect with each other through our shared memories of the College – and this year has been no exception. From the many fantastic events held at College, such as Alumnae Weekend and Family Day, to the events organised regionally and locally by yourselves, it’s been a good year to keep in touch. In the coming pages, we share stories of a few recent events and gatherings: the fabulous Family Day; the 1967 matriculation year’s reunion at alumnae weekend; the 1968 matriculation year’s trip to Shropshire; and the MCR committee of 2010’s continued friendship and enjoyment of each other’s milestones.

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Family Day 2017 It is a truth universally acknowledged that parent(s) / grandparent(s) in possession of one or more young children must be in want of a family friendly destination on a sunny day. Furthermore they might wish to connect with their alma mater.Â So, reader, the New Hall Society Committee and the Development Office arranged another Family Day. Blessed with a sunny day, many alumnae and members of the College attended with their families in the hope of seeing familiar faces, meeting new ones, reconnecting with College and of course exhausting their accompanying children in the process. Creativity, diversity and fraternity were the key words of the day. Plenty of likeminded people keen to hold an adult conversation, possibly with a cup of coffee

Creativity, diversity and fraternity were the key words of the day

in one hand, whilst ensuring their children were mindfully occupied and, if possible, intellectually stimulated. Well, educational fun was certainly there in large portions, as were the refreshments. Lego was one of the main attractions. Freestyle Lego construction in one area using a huge range of Lego pieces in a plethora of colours and sizes, and all stored in an unbelievably organised fashion. Julia from Build 4 Fun clearly loved her Lego! She offered two workshops: one was catapult making and Lego castle destroying and the other was Lego engineering which hooked up to a computer programme. The Collegeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s craft activities guru, Sarah Greaves, ran her annual session with highlights including making pompoms, creating colourful mosaics and basket weaving. These activities all went down well and I could see many children were pleased to have something to take home. For the more energetic, there was an Art Collection treasure hunt which sent families all over the College, challenging them to look at the artwork more closely and identify which paintings or sculptures matched the clues. Lunchtime was largely spent outside in Orchard Court. Many had brought picnics, and the College rugs were spread

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out to create a massive area. Daniela Kotzmann from the Development Team commandeered the specially constructed bird’s nest for some story-telling. There were also outdoor games and activities, including Jenga and croquet. Some investigated the mini-beach next to the herb garden and reading book box, while others played a game of Tennis. We all reconvened after lunch in the Vivian Stewart Room for a breathtaking magic display from our favourite magician William Bearcroft, son of an alumna. He is a regular and every year has us all baffled and amazed!

Afternoon tea in the Fellows’ Drawing Room and garden was a fabulous way to finish off the day. Every year I enjoy meeting new alumnae and members of the College, as well as catching up with familiar faces. Thanks again to all involved for delivering such an enjoyable day – I have the warmest gratitude towards them, who have, by bringing us back to College, been the means to unite as all. Please do pop the next Family Day in your diaries – it will be Sunday 8th July 2018. We would love to see you there! Claudia Bray (Freeman) New Hall, 1993

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1967: 50 years on It creeps up on you. In the neophile era of the 1960s, youth seemed a personal and permanent possession, and growing older a careless aberration. Yet here we were at the alumnae weekend in 2017, celebrating 50 years since we first arrived at New Hall. Joined by friends from adjoining years, a group of us took possession of the Bar before dinner, to raise a glass of bubbly to the College, to good memories and old friends. We were then treated to a tour of student rooms (pre- and post-refurbishment) in Orchard Court. As we ventured up and down the cross-legged staircases, our minds clothed the cool, tasteful grey of the empty rooms with the zinging colours of the 1960s â&#x20AC;&#x201C; curtains and rugs in red, orange and lime green, psychedelic posters,

the bright glow of electric bar fires toasting crumpets. Over dinner, however, the talk was all of the here and now: families, travel, new projects and research interests. Like the College itself, and alumnae of all ages, we celebrate a past which continues to energise us in embracing the present. The 1967 reunion was attended by Isabel Feder (McCarthy), Ann Fendley (de RoussetHall), Joy Richardson (James), Sue Rippon (Tollworthy), Catherine Robertson (Brown), and Hilary Wilce, with Katherine Bradnock (Rynder), New Hall 1966, Hilary Douglas (Black), New Hall 1968, and Hilaryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s husband Robert. Joy Richardson (James) New Hall, 1967

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Year of ‘68 explore Shropshire For the first time the Year of ‘68 ventured into territory not known to the organisers. Deb Adams and Paula Bolton-Maggs led us bravely to Shrewsbury, which proved an excellent base in June for 18 alumnae and 11 of our partners. The town is full of history: even-handedly we patronised both the Prince Rupert Hotel and Cromwell’s Inn. The surroundings offered snapshots of history down the ages, from roman Wroxeter through medieval Ludlow to industrial Ironbridge. We explored the Iron Age forts on the Wrekin and Cair Caradoc, with legend and geology expertly explained by Simon Walford. (Some thought the forts had potential as post-Brexit refuges). The wonderful landscapes evoked childhood memories of Malcolm Savile novels. There was wildlife too, with a night heron in a Shrewsbury park the star attraction. But – as ever – our chief delight was in each others’ company. In 2018 we hope to break our own and the College’s records for attendance at the September Alumnae Weekend. 50 years on from our matriculation, we hope fifty of us (including partners) will be there, from all over the world. Susan Carter New Hall, 1968

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MCR Committee of 2010: continued friendship

Here is a report from the MCR committee of 2010-2012, which includes: Beryl Pong, Murray Edwards, 2009; Emma Heydon, Murray Edwards, 2010; Natasha Carli, Murray Edwards, 2009; Judith Schuette, Murray Edwards, 2009; Lufei Zhang, Murray Edwards, 2009; Marina Evangelou, New Hall, 2005; Alice Cicirello, Murray Edwards, 2009; and me, New Hall, 2004. The MCR committee of 2010-2012 have continued to work together to plan our travels around the world with the excuse of attending each other’s weddings. After Natasha’s

wedding in Italy (and in Italian) last year, we visited sunny Cyprus in August for the wedding of Marina (in Greek) and Qingdao, China in October for the wedding of Lufei (pictured) which was in Mandarin Chinese and English, and we even learned a bit about autophagy from Lufei’s PhD supervisor! We look forward to many more travels in the upcoming years and perhaps to welcome a couple more of the next generation of Murray Edwards girls. Wing Ying Chow New Hall, 2004

ALUMNAE EVENTS

Save the date International Women’s Day, London

Family Day, Cambridge

Thursday 1st March 2018

Sunday 8th July 2018

New Hall Society International Women’s Day, Cambridge

Alumnae Weekend, Cambridge Friday 21st to Sunday 23rd September 2018

Saturday 10th March 2018

The Cancer Research UK Boat Races 2018, London Saturday 24th March 2018

MA Day, Cambridge

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Saturday 7th April 2018

For further information about any of these events, please contact the Alumnae Relations team: newhallsociety@murrayedwards.cam.ac.uk or +44 (0)1223 762288.

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Regional representatives Regional representatives are a point of contact for alumnae living in or visiting a particular area.

Worldwide AUSTRALIA (SOUTH AUSTRALIA) Julia Miller (Haisley) New Hall, 1980

If you would like to contact your regional representative or if you would like to become a regional representative please email us on: newhallsociety@ murrayedwards.cam.ac.uk

AUSTRALIA (WESTERN AUSTRALIA) Mary Webberley New Hall, 1991

BRAZIL Teca Galvao New Hall, 1996

UK and Ireland ABERDEEN

CANADA Patricia Snell Murray Edwards, 2009

Abbe Brown (Lockhart) New Hall, 1989

FRANCE

NORTHERN IRELAND

Lucy Manchester-Taylor New Hall, 2001 Nathalie Gasperini New Hall, 1989

Beth Aiken (Bowers) New Hall, 2001

LONDON Tracey Campbell New Hall, 1980

BRISTOL Jenny Bradley New Hall, 1974

NORTH WEST ENGLAND, Lynne Jones (Daly) New Hall, 1973

KENT Jane Day (Wearing) New Hall, 1974

BUCKINGHAMSHIRE/ BEDFORDSHIRE/ HERTFORDSHIRE Simone Walsh (Mendonca) New Hall, 2000

GERMANY Wing Ying Chow New Hall, 2004

INDIA (NEW DELHI) Pia Gupta New Hall, 1994

MALAYSIA Sharon Saw New Hall, 1986

RUSSIA (MOSCOW) Eleanor Dalgleish New Hall, 2007

SINGAPORE Sharon Craggs (neo) New Hall, 1982

SOUTH AFRICA Fiona Burtt New Hall, 1984

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R E P R E S E N TAT I V E S

SRI LANKA

USA (BOSTON)

Romola Shanthi Wilson Wijeratnam New Hall, 1976

Maija Pratt Rojas New Hall, 1993

TAIWAN Ami Yang New Hall, 2001

UAE Alexia Doherty (Barrett) New Hall, 1991 Patricia Snell Murray Edwards College, 2009

USA (MISSOURI) Stacie Strong New Hall, 1998

USA (NEW JERSEY) Sheila Hallam (Cooksley) New Hall, 1978

USA – WASHINGTON DC Sarah Jackson-Han New Hall, 1988

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A tribute to Pat Houghton, New Hall 1955

12 MAY 1936 - 2 NOVEMBER 2017

1955 matriculation group: Pat Houghton (Slawson) is in the centre of the back row.

Last March, Mum’s last Sunday before moving into Orchard House in Sawston, here in this church, lovely things were said about her by way of farewell. Although she was frail and generally uncommunicative by then, she stood up and summoned her old wit by saying that usually you need to wait for your funeral before people say such nice things about you! In 2005 Mum helped edit New Hall Lives, a book of reminiscences about the early years of the College. Whereas most entries

are about a page long, Mum managed seven fascinating pages of autobiography [editor’s note: excerpts of which can be found in the following pages] and one of her own photos! So clearly if we shared with you everything Mum would want said about her, we would be here a long time! First, she was a proud Yorkshirewoman. Although born in Scunthorpe, she grew up in Bradford and kept up her loyal association with Bradford Girls’ Grammar School by going to reunions until very recently.

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Mum was also proud of her long association with the University of Cambridge. When she arrived in Cambridge in 1955 to read English, she joined the second year of the recently formed New Hall and thoroughly enjoyed her three years there. When she went back to work after having Lizzie, she began as secretary at the Leys but quickly got a job for the University as librarian in the Department of Metallurgy, and then became Administrative Secretary at the Cambridge Intercollegiate Applications Office. Running the central procedures for Cambridge applications meant complex negotiations with all the individual Colleges who all liked to think they could make their own decisions, but as time went on they needed to cooperate centrally. I think one of the things she enjoyed greatly were times when she involved us in her work. Every new year we helped Mum and her staff set up the Pool for those who had not made it into their first choice College. It meant literally moving boxes of files and those very early Amstrad computers to a central location, and manning the room for several days. And above all Mum loved travelling the length and breadth of the UK selling the idea of Cambridge to schools. Peforming played a big part for Mum. She loved debating and while at New Hall became President of the Women’s Union (formed because they weren’t allowed in main Union by the men). She met Dad in a University play. Later at St Mark’s Church in Newnham she again got involved in drama. Guiding gave her a chance to act in drama tours and once they moved to Foxton she formed the Foxton Vixens with friends.

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When she arrived in Cambridge in 1955 to read English, she joined the second year of the recently formed New Hall And of course we can’t speak of Mum without mentioning photography. Family holidays were captured on film, as well as the building of the new premises for New Hall. Once, on our return from a pilgrimage in Israel, we were held up by suspicious airport officals because they didn’t believe a tourist could have shot as many as 30 spools of film in just one week! Mum was a feminist who was always grateful to her parents for treating her the same as her brother with regards to education, mindful that that was unusual at that time. She was ever frustrated by any inequality, and provided a strong example that there need be no barriers to what we can achieve. I know from all the kind letters and emails we have received that she and Dad made a mark on countless people’s lives, their generous spirits and endless energy a source of help and encouragement to many over the years. We are all richer for knowing her. By her daugher, Rosy Pantling

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Pat (far left) is pictured with Dame Rosemary Murray (seated) when the first College President returned to the College to mark her 85th birthday and attend the Midsummer Feast in 1998.

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Excerpts from New Hall Lives Pat was one of the editors of New Hall Lives: The Silver Street Years, a collection of reminiscences, autobiographies, obituaries and work by alumnae who attended the College in its first eleven years. Pat’s entry is hugely wide-ranging, reﬂecting on everything from life at the College, to childbirth and the creation of the centralised University of Cambridge Admissions Office. With too many fascinating segments to choose from, we have selected just a few excerpts that focus on Pat’s memories of the College. If you would like to read Pat’s full entry, or purchase a copy of New Hall Lives I, please contact: newhallsociety@murrayedwards.cam.ac.uk

Applying to Cambridge “[My first interview] was with Miss Hammond, and was going well until she offered me a cigarette! I hesitated for what seemed like an age. Was this a trap, I wondered? If I accepted, did I reveal myself as hopelessly dissipated? If I declined, did I reveal myself as pathetically unsophisticated? I accepted. It was by no means my first, although I was not a regular smoker. When I got to know Robin, I realised that she had simply wanted a cigarette herself, and had been polite enough to offer me one too.”

Belonging to the second New Hall intake “The relationship we had with the earlier year at New Hall was quite a complex one. They all seemed to us to be unbelievably attractive, and they had been feted when they arrived in Cambridge, in a way we never were. They were invited en bloc to parties, but of course once we came along and doubled the numbers people had to start being a bit more discriminating. […]

On the other hand, they were a little wary of us, since we had gained admission on the basis of this extraordinary entrance examination. We felt quite secure in that achievement. They must always have felt when facing their contemporaries at Girton and Newnham that they had come just a little lower down the pecking order. They had also, of course, been pushed out of the main College building by us. They had to move into lodgings […], and it must have been galling for them to see us settled happily in ‘their’ rooms.”

Life at New Hall “Life at New Hall was quite as comfortable as that at home […]. We were allowed to have male guests into meals, and this was unheard of at Girton. Our Newnham contemporaries were also very envious of us, until they started to agitate for a similar privilege, only to be told that they already had it but the fact had somehow been forgotten. We were never to be taken into Hall at any of the men’s Colleges, however, and our host would have been

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Pat’s photographs document the construction of the current College buildings.

‘sent down’ immediately if he had been caught with a female guest in disguise at a meal. We could have men in our rooms at any time from 2pm to 10pm. If we were already out, we could stay out at night until 11pm and with special permissions until 12 midnight. Miss Murray and Miss Hammond took it in turn to be the hall porter and check that we were in, and that in itself was inhibiting. Once we moved out after our first year, the hostels such as Bredon House, where I lived for the other years, operated on a trust system. The last person to come in telephoned either Miss Murray or Miss Hammond to report that she

was safely back. This was open to abuse, of course, and certainly a story went round of someone who telephoned at the correct time but from Milton Keynes!”

On being Chairman of the New Hall Society “Just before I retired, I became Chairman of the New Hall Society […] I have very much enjoyed holding that office […]. Perhaps the two most memorable events have been the celebration of Dame Rosemary’s 90th birthday and the lunch at Darwin College on the 50th anniversary of the first dinner in old New Hall.”

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had a strong cultural interest in art, books, theatre, ballet and opera. She also enjoyed travelling; visiting Central Caribbean, Africa, Australia, Russia, Europe, North America and Iceland, always taking along her camera to document the world as she saw it, in a deeply perceptive way.

Lesley Pangburn New Hall, 1980 3 JUNE 1963 – 14 MAY 2017

Lesley was educated at Stockport Convent and then Cambridge University at New Hall College where she read Mathematics. After an initial short period of teaching this subject in Barbados Lesley returned to Cheshire to be close to her parents and younger sister and to pursue a career as an Accountant qualifying as a Chartered Accountant and Chartered Tax Advisor. Over the years she worked in Accountancy, Corporate Finance, Forensic and Taxation with her last position being a Tax Director in central Manchester, a role that she thoroughly enjoyed as she relished the technical challenge. Lesley had a wide range of interests; she took up deep sea diving, life-drawing, writing, cooking, was a self-taught pianist and

Lesley had a lifelong interest in art and a great love of photography that led to her artistic practice of printmaking. She worked as a printmaker at Hot Bed Press in Salford where she held exhibitions of her work at various venues including the Manchester Contemporary Art fair. Her artwork included printmaking, linocuts, hand made books and photography, all of which can be seen on her self-produced website (www.lesleypangburn.com). Lesley had always been interested in contemporary art and she served on the Board of Castlefield Gallery in Manchester for 14 years, including seven years as Chair. Lesley was sadly diagnosed with an incurable brain tumour in January 2017. Through her Christian faith in her time of illness Lesley took comfort from Psalm 23. She is now safe in the loving arms of God where she will “dwell in the house of the Lord forever”. Lesley was loving, thoughtful and a joy to be with. She was a much-loved daughter, sister and friend and will be greatly missed. By her sister Susan Bull and mother Pauline Pangburn

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the likely outcome of her diagnosis, it was characteristic of her that she remained calm and clear-sighted throughout her illness, anxious to keep the worry and fuss to a minimum.

Ruth Whitfield (Hirschel) New Hall, 1964 19 FEBRUARY 1945 – 20 NOVEMBER 2015

Ruth Whitfield came up to New Hall in 1964 to read Natural Sciences, expecting to read Zoology in her finals. But she decided at the end of her second year to switch to Medicine. None of her friends were surprised at her decision: we, who had known her from those earliest days, all agreed that this career was just right for her. She was the one whom we turned to in our troubles – the calmest of friends, a sympathetic listener, steadfast, thoughtful and practical. She died in November 2015 of mesothelioma – a cruel twist of fate, since her working life was devoted to the treatment of respiratory problems. Despite knowing

Ruth took her degree in Natural Sciences in 1967. She then went on to finish the clinical part of her medical training at Westminster Hospital, along with one of her New Hall friends, Ruth Curson (Fletcher). While at Cambridge she had met Phil Whitfield who was then doing a PhD in Zoology. Ruth’s New Hall friend, Christine Knight (Frankum), had invited her to make up the numbers in a group of friends for a holiday in a derelict cottage in Wales, and Phil was there too. Ruth and Phil were married in Hampstead in the spring of 1967; this proved to be ‘a marriage of true minds’. When Ruth started her clinical training they were at first obliged to live apart, weekending until Phil was able to join her in London. Most of their married life was spent in Dulwich, and more recently in Sydenham. Here they had time to create two very special gardens. Ruth became a member of the Royal College of Physicians in 1973, then becoming a Fellow in 1998. She began work in both diabetes and respiratory medicine, but increasingly specialised in chest diseases. She was appointed Associate Specialist in 1989 at the Mayday Hospital (now Croydon

OBITUARIES

University Hospital) where she was lead physician in tuberculosis. At the start of her working life there were rigid requirements for becoming a Consultant: to be considered, you had to spend sufficient time ‘living in’ while working. This restriction barred women who had worked part-time when their children were small. It was typical of Ruth’s strong sense of fairness that she fought to right this inequality. She worked hard to create systematic and practical approaches to the medical problems in her field, constantly striving to improve care. She became Honorary Secretary of the Non-Consultant Career Grade Committee at the Royal College of Physicians and she also worked as mentor and career advisor for the Royal College. Her calmness, kindness and thoroughness made her beloved by colleagues and patients alike. In 1976, she and Phil adopted their first daughter Beth, and this was followed by the births of Deborah and James. Ruth had been an only child, but in a large and close extended family. Friends and home life were always of huge importance to her, and her home was always a very warm and welcoming place. It was a great sorrow that as her illness progressed, she knew that she would not live to see her four grandchildren grow up.

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Sally Wraight (Wedeles) and Ruth Stone (Perry) were two school friends from South Hampstead High School who came up to New Hall with her, a very unusual occurrence within such a small intake. Sally had done her Science A-levels with Ruth. She remembers that Ruth came on a family holiday with her to Snowdonia, and in return she went with Ruth’s family to the New Forest. Sally suspects that Ruth was a keener walker than she was, but was greatly impressed that the New Forest holiday was spent in a hotel – a huge treat. Ruth had wide interests beyond medicine. Art, theatre and music were very important to her. Since they lived near the Dulwich Picture Gallery, Ruth and Phil often visited and soon became Friends of the Gallery; their own house was filled with wonderful works of art. They were regulars too at the National Theatre. Later in life they were keen to try opera, encouraged in this by Deborah’s close friendship with the singer Kate Royal. Ruth’s most unusual interest was as a supporter of Arsenal, sparked by James’ enthusiasm for the team. Ruth’s quiet and gentle personality, her sympathy and her love for friends and her family, means that she is hugely missed by all who knew her. By her friend and New Hall alumna, Clare Passingham (Darlington), New Hall, 1964

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We were sorry to be informed this year

Mary Abbott (Brown) New Hall, 1961

of the deaths of the following alumnae and offer our sincere condolences to their friends and families.

9TH DECEMBER 1941 – 8TH MAY 2017

Rosemary Crafts New Hall, 1970 21ST JANUARY 1952 – 15TH SEPTEMBER 2017

Annabel Rathbone 1954 20TH OCTOBER 1935 – 20TH APRIL 2017

Caroline Francis New Hall, 2000 7TH NOVEMBER 1981 – 8TH OCTOBER 2017

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BENEFITS

Alumnae benefits Dining rights

Accommodation

Alumnae are entitled to dine in College free of charge once each term, and may also attend up to three additional meals per term at the guest price.

Alumnae are always welcome to stay in College and we are pleased to offer you guest rooms at a discounted rate throughout the year, subject to availability. The alumnae rates for ensuite accommodation (not including breakfast) are: Twin ensuite room £68.00 + VAT per night Single ensuite room £44.50 + VAT per night

Sports facilities Alumnae are welcome to use the College’s Squash and Tennis courts free of charge. Alumnae are also welcome to join the College gym at the special price of £40 per year, plus a one-off induction fee of £5. All new members must attend an induction before they can use the gym.

Gardens You are welcome to stroll around the College’s beautiful gardens beween 10am and 6pm daily throughout the year.

Merchandise

New Hall Art Collection

A range of College merchandise is available through our online shop.

The largest Collection of modern contemporary art by women in Europe is open daily from 10am to 6pm. Admission is free.

For more information or to book any of the above, please contact the Alumnae Relations office on +44 (0)1223 762288 or newhallsociety@murrayedwards.cam.ac.uk

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New Hall Society AGM The Annual General Meeting of the New Hall Society was held on Saturday 23rd September 2017, at 5pm in the Buckingham House Lecture Theatre, Murray Edwards College.

The Chair encouraged alumnae to join the Committee and help ensure alumnae are connected with each other and the College.

3. Elections to the Committee 1. Minutes of the previous meeting The minutes of the meeting on 24th September 2016 were approved.

2. Report from the Chair The Chair gave a brief overview of activities in the last year and thanked the Committee for their work. It was noted that a subgroup of the committee had been working on ways in which to ensure that all alumnae understand their membership of the New Hall Society and are encouraged to take an active part in the alumnae community.

Final year results continued to be very good – with 93.5% of students achieving a first class or upper second class degree

There were no elections to the committee.

4. Reports from the College President, Bursar and Senior Tutor The President, Bursar and Senior Tutor each gave brief reports on strategic developments in the College during the last year. Final year results continued to be very good – with 93.5% of students achieving a first class or upper second class degree. The President thanked alumnae for all their support for the College and noted that alumnae support is important for the College’s goal of increased recruitment. All alumnae are encouraged to recommend the College to potential applicants. The Bursar reported on-going financial stability. Loans which were taken out to fund emergency repair work to College buildings in previous years had now started to be repaid and the College has a plan to allocate a certain proportion of surplus to a sinking fund to repay this. Funds had been raised to initiate a significant refurbishment of three staircases in Orchard Court and work was likely to commence in summer 2018, subject to the remaining funding being secured.

COMMITTEE 2018-2019

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New Hall Society Committee 2018-2019

Nomination form Nominations for the 2018-2019 Committee should be made using this form. Please ask two other members of the Society to propose and second your nomination. All alumnae, Fellows and former Fellows are automatically members of the New Hall Society.

Please return your form by 1st September 2018 to: New Hall Society Development Office Murray Edwards College New Hall Cambridge CB3 0DF

We, PROPOSER NAME (IN BLOCK CAPITALS)

and SECONDER NAME (IN BLOCK CAPITALS)

wish to nominate NOMINEE NAME (IN BLOCK CAPITALS)

for election as a member of the New Hall Society Committee 2018-2019.

PROPOSER SIGNATURE MATRIC YEAR

DATE

SECONDER SIGNATURE MATRIC YEAR

DATE

I agree to the above nomination.

NOMINEE SIGNATURE MATRIC YEAR

DATE

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Acknowledgements

Alumnae Relations and Development Office Murray Edwards College New Hall Huntingdon Road Cambridge CB3 0DF +44 (0)1223 762288 newhallsociety@murrayedwards.cam.ac.uk www.murrayedwards.cam.ac.uk

The College would like to thank all those who have assisted in the production of this publication.

Editorial Board Tessa Kilvington-Shaw (New Hall, 1970) Fiona Duffy Clare Stroud

Design Georgia King Design

Printing Taylor Bloxham Murray Edwards College is a Registered Charity. Registration number 1137530.

WINSTON SANDERS

The Murray Edwards College Report and New Hall Society Review is published once a year for alumnae students, staff, Fellows, parents and friends of the College. Feedback, suggestions and contributions are always welcome from readers, please contact newhallsociety@murrayedwards.cam.ac.uk.

New Hall, Huntingdon Road, Cambridge CB3 0DF Tel: +44 (0)1223 762288 Email: newhallsociety@murrayedwards.cam.ac.uk www.murrayedwards.cam.ac.uk