winter 2013 issue 11
changinglives
Newnham College Newsletter
Get in touch roll@newn.cam.ac.uk
We really want to reach out to our alumnae – please send us your news and views
1 fromthelodge 4 researchnews 7 internationalnews 10 roll&development
2 collegenews 5 feature 8 inspiringwomen 11 didyouknow
3 infocus 6 studentnews 9 spotlight 12 events/calendar
Cover photo: David Ponting – Newnham students winning this year’s annual hand-made cardboard boat race on the Cam (see p6)
1 fromthelodge
Professor Dame Carol Black
Cambridge has always welcomed people from outside, who have served in other places and in rather different working environments. So, although it was such an unexpected and wonderful honour to be chosen to come here to head Newnham, the warm welcome I have been given comes as no surprise at all. Each new Principal stands on ground made sure by her eminent predecessors and a culture tested and shaped by generations of talented and confident women. Newnham has a fine and enviable reputation, not just academically, but in the ways it prepares and supports able young women on their way towards fulfilling and valued lives. The essence of our duty and promise to undergraduates does not end when they leave. Before coming to Newnham I had only a hazy notion of the rich alumnal networks which I have discovered the College fosters in the UK and many other countries. They are the continuing legacy of formative years passed here; a lively reminder of what the College has given to each of its members, influences that endure. And out of that comes the determination to do things for Newnham. The networks of alumnae over the world are not only a testimony to the values and attitudes that Newnham represents, they are a vital source of nourishment to this College. My experience in medicine brings out the hard-earned changes that we have seen in the lives of many women. Fifty years ago medicine was predominantly a male profession. Women did not come to head Medical Royal Colleges or to engage regularly with Ministers over health services; nor were they in a position to decide the shape and future of the profession. Not until 1989 was there a woman President of the Royal College of Physicians. Now there have been two. Changing attitudes and a sustained articulate case that made them possible are mirrored in other medical professional institutions. That particular glass ceiling has gone. Even more far-reaching is the solid fact that the majority of entrants to medicine today are women. In the case of medicine this gain has obvious consequences and attendant difficulties; for example, for the pattern and duration of training and service, and relative costs. Such consequences bring us a responsibility to participate in finding solutions. Similar challenges arise for many women in the higher reaches of public life. Naturally it falls to institutions like Newnham not just to further the societal influences of women but also to prepare them well for the fullest, fair and effective participation in leading roles we aspire to. For me, heading our College is a great privilege that brings new duties and new responsibilities, above all to safeguard what Newnham has achieved and to help secure its fitness for the future. With your support I shall do my utmost to fulfil them.
2 collegenews NewnhamRoll Mums Building on the success of last year’s inaugural Forum with psychologist Penelope Leach (NC 1956), the second NewnhamRoll Mums’ Forum ‘Making Choices’ was held in October and featured two outstanding speakers. The event was opened by Allison Pearson, award-winning journalist and author of the bestselling novel ‘I Don’t Know How She Does It’, who asked ‘Can you have it all?’ which was followed by a Q & A session with the audience. The lively debate continued during a buffet lunch in College Hall. The second session focused on ‘Fertility & Age: fertility preservation & egg freezing – the science, ethics and other issues’ with Dr Jane MacDougall (NC 1976), Newnham Fellow and consultant in Obstetrics and Gynaecology and specialist in Reproductive Medicine at Addenbrooke’s Hospital. Issues covered included the possible implications if you decide to postpone a family and whether using the technology now available provides a solution to that dilemma, and there was a very stimulating group discussion on the science, ethics and choices arising as a result of advances in reproductive technology. If you would like to find out more about NewnhamRoll Mums and how to get involved with future activities please visit the website at: www.newn.cam.ac.uk/after-newnham/keeping-in-touch/localgroups-and-year-reps/content/newnhamroll-mums. You can also follow Kate Wilson (NC 1998) on Twitter at Rollmumskate.
The changing development landscape From Recipients to Donors by Dr Emma Mawsdley, Fellow and Director of Studies in Geography, discusses the current shifts in development thinking and practice and provides a major analysis of the ways in which the ‘rising power’ of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) and others are changing the development landscape. Published by Zed Books, the work looks at the challenges and opportunities the rising powers may present for poorer peoples and countries as the future unfolds.
Retirement Garden Party for the Principal & Roll Family Picnic On 7 July College held a Retirement Garden Party to enable alumnae, Senior Members and staff to say goodbye to Dame Patricia and thank her for the many achievements of her Principalship.
The heavens opened as guests arrived but in the best Blitz spirit everyone refused to allow the downpour to dampen proceedings and simply moved the Party elsewhere. Cream teas, glasses of bubbly and conversation were enjoyed in Clough Hall; the Library opened to visitors and a selection of short Newnham films was screened. The VicePrincipal paid fond tribute to Dame Patricia in a thank you speech on behalf of College. The Principal continued on to the Roll Family Picnic, held in the Barbara White Room and in marquees on Old Hall Lawns, where she was presented with a hand-made posy of silk roses.
Golden years Over 100 alumnae from the matriculation years of 1957, 1972, 1982 and 1992 returned for their reunions at Alumni Weekend in September. Following drinks in the Principal’s Lodge, attendees celebrated with a special dinner in Clough Hall. In the year of the London Olympics, College was honoured to welcome back Olympic Gold rowing medalist Anna Watkins (NC 2001) and TV and radio broadcaster and author Clare Balding (NC 1990) for the Newnham Conversation in the full to bursting Lucia Windsor Room. Anna and Clare reflected on their arrival at Newnham, their interests and experiences whilst at College and how Newnham influenced their chosen careers, and their sporting and Olympic experiences. The fascinating conversation covered topics including the Olympics’ influence on the profile of women athletes; how to capitalise on Team GB’s success for future generations; and dealing with increased levels of fame and its associated pressures post-Games. Clare revealed her contribution to Mo Farah’s Mobot move (see photo), and the audience was privileged to be shown Anna's dazzling gold medal. The event concluded with a book signing for Clare’s number one bestseller My Animals and Other Family and the opportunity for attendees to be photographed with Anna and her medal. Thank you to both Anna and Clare for a truly inspirational Conversation. The event was filmed and can be viewed via the website at: www.newn.cam.ac.uk/about-newnham/news/news/clare-balding-and-anna-watkins-inthe-newnham-conversation-now-on-you-tube
2nd Newnham Literary Archive Conference – March 2013 Following the launch of the Newnham Literary Archive in February 2011, the second weekend of literary celebration – ‘Women and the Novel’ – will take place in March. Margaret Drabble (NC 1957) will open the conference on the evening of Friday 1st, followed by dinner in Clough Hall and we hope that many of our donors to the Literary Archive will be present. On Saturday 2nd authors Patricia Duncker (NC 1970) and Jenn Ashworth (NC 2000) will discuss ‘The Deadly Spaces of Women Novelists’. Writer Isabelle Grey (NC 1973) will chair a panel discussion on the current and future state of publishing. For full details visit: www.newn.cam.ac.uk/after-newnham/events/ forthcoming-events.
3 infocus Anne Thomson, Kirsten Southard, Jo Roos and Debbie Hodder
Debbie Hodder, Librarian
Anne Thomson, Archivist
I’ve just celebrated twenty years as Newnham’s College Librarian, and Jo Roos, Newnham’s Senior Library Assistant, has been in post for 25 years. In that time, we have seen the library benefit from advances in technology and information provision, as well as the development of the wonderful Horner Markwick library extension. Kirsten Southard, our Library Graduate Trainee for 2011-2012, completes our staff team. It’s been rewarding to see many of our previous trainees go on to become professional librarians.
I joined Newnham in 1989 as a part-time Library Assistant. I later studied archive and records management at UCL, becoming College Archivist when the permanent position was created in 2003. The marvellous extension to the Library of the Horner Marwick Building in the following year included dedicated space for the Archives, better facilities and the ideal environment in which to work.
In term-time, students’ needs are top priority: we check reading lists; buy recommended books and get them onto the shelves as quickly as possible; support and guide students in accessing resources, and keep the library in good order so that it’s a great place for study. Technology may have brought new ways of accessing information, but student feedback shows that the quality of workspace is important too, and that the library’s calm atmosphere is highly-valued. Outside Full Term, we catch up on ‘backroom’ work: reviewing stock; improving catalogues; keeping our training up-to-date; planning exhibitions; writing guides, and working with rare books and closed stack collections. We update Twitter regularly so that we can share news, developments or activities – do follow us @NewnhamLibrary, and have a look at our blog ‘Back from the Stacks’ http://backfromthestacks. blogspot.co.uk/ to see some of the treasures in the closed stack collections. Librarianship constantly evolves so my work continues to be challenging and stimulating. I still find it rather special to work in a place where you can happen upon the signature of Queen Victoria or Charles Darwin unexpectedly – I love the way the library serves current students, while preserving traces of the college’s history as a place of education, learning and research.
It is my task to organise and care for the materials in the Archive to preserve them for posterity. This includes making sure that current records make their way to me in due course. Our holdings consist of academic, administrative, photographic, social and personal records dating from College’s foundation to the present day. I am essentially the custodian of College’s history. An average day might involve anything from planning an exhibition; transcribing an academic’s papers or cataloguing the correspondence from an alumna’s bequest to College, to minimising damage caused by sellotape and rusty treasury tags. We often receive media enquiries so I undertake research and pull together supporting papers for the broadcast or publication. I also welcome researchers including academics, writers, students and relatives of Newnhamites - it is wonderful to share the excitement when I can unearth a photograph of Great-Granny in her hockey kit! I also manage special projects such as the Newnham Literary Archive, which was established in 2008 to celebrate the achievement of College’s creative writers, and now comprises generous donations including drafts of published works, scripts, memoirs and photographs. Although I am a one-man-band, I am fortunate to have invaluable help, when funds allow, from my colleague, Pat Ackerman. Having worked with Debbie for 20 years now, we have amassed extensive knowledge of College and its history, its collections and connections. Due to our professions, we are perhaps more aware than others of the need to record this precious knowledge for our successors.
4 researchnews The Deciphering Developmental Disorders (DDD) study
Dr Helen Firth, Bye-Fellow in Medicine
I am a Bye-Fellow in Medicine and a Consultant Clinical Geneticist at Cambridge University Hospitals Trust. I am also an Honorary Faculty Member at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute. My main research focus is The Deciphering Developmental Disorders study (DDD – www.ddduk.org), which is a unique partnership project between the 23 NHS Regional Genetics services in the UK and the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute. I am part of the management team of genome scientists, a clinician scientist and a bioethicist that is responsible for overseeing this project. The DDD study aims to apply cutting-edge genomic technologies (exome sequencing and a high resolution exon-array) to identify diagnoses for 12,000 children with severe birth defects and/or severe developmental delay or learning problems. Every one of the children in the study has a special story; they each have a rare disorder that has a severe impact on their lives and that is most likely to due to a change in their genetic code. Identifying these changes will help scientists and clinicians to understand the molecular basis of these conditions, which will be crucial in improving management and designing therapies. All of the children in the study have had numerous hospital appointments and tests and yet despite all of these investigations they remain undiagnosed. Of the children that I see in my genetics clinic in Cambridge, I can only make a diagnosis in about one in four using currently available tests. With this study, we hope to change that. An accurate genetic diagnosis is important because it informs: • Prognosis – an indication of what may be expected in the future, enabling families to plan for their child’s health and educational needs • Management – it helps doctors decide which body systems need surveillance • Recurrence risks – it provides information about the chance of problems affecting other members of the family • Support and Information – it reduces isolation, enabling families to connect with other families affected by similar conditions and facing similar challenges.
Whilst providing a diagnosis for each child is one of the main aims of the study, through DDD these children can also help scientists to better understand the causes of developmental disorders. The new genomic technologies generate vast amounts of data, some of it novel, and we are in the early stages of learning how to interpret this information. This study offers a great opportunity for patients, clinicians and scientists alike; it could significantly improve diagnosis and management of these rare conditions, and provide new avenues for research into treatments for scientists to pursue. The DDD study is funded by the Health Innovation Challenge Fund and is open for recruitment until April 2015. Recruitment is organised via referral to the child’s local NHS Regional Genetics service – please see www.ddduk.org for further details.
5 feature
The scale of our ambition Here we reproduce an abridged version of the annual address of the ViceChancellor, delivered on 1 October 2012, by Professor Sir Leszek Borysiewicz. We witnessed this summer one of the most memorable events of this still young century: the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Our own alumni did especially well: ‘Team Cambridge’, taken as a group, with two gold and two bronze medals, would have been higher in the medal table than Canada or Norway. Many congratulations to all our alumni who participated and all the medal winners! To achieve that success required personal commitment and self-sacrifice by the athletes, and investment from funders in coaching and infrastructure. All of this required world-class ability, a shared vision and, above all, ambition to achieve their goals. As members of the University of Cambridge, we too are in a global competition of Olympic proportions, and it is a competition that we are winning. Rightly, we consider ourselves to be the best university in the United Kingdom, the best in Europe, and one of a handful of truly excellent universities worldwide. The finishing line in our academic Olympics is not well defined, and the race is never-ending. This makes it all the more challenging to maintain the drive and ambition to stay in our much-envied pole position. The global competition between universities can appear to individual scholars as a remote, even demeaning, abstraction. Although we may note in the newspapers the appearance of league tables, guides and other commentary, we rarely see the direct effects of these in our daily lives. So, some may ask, is competition in a university context not, in fact, pointless? I take a different view. Competition makes you run faster. Just as an Olympic athlete is selected for competition by physical and mental strength, so Cambridge has been selected, through the brilliance of our predecessors and the investment of our supporters, to compete in this great race. Having been selected, we have a responsibility to run the race as well as we can – to be ambitious to succeed. The greatest contribution that the handful of the world’s leading universities can make is to strive to remain in that handful: the constant competition of the top few global universities keeps the leading edge sharp. Competition, too, goes to the very heart of our mission. Our mission statement calibrates our successes against the most ambitious possible scale: we are urged to “contribute to society through the pursuit of education, learning, and research at the highest international levels of excellence.” So we aim to be the best, never compromising on excellence, in order to serve society in its broadest sense. Committed to benefiting society as we are, we believe that sustaining Cambridge’s excellence matters, not just to Cambridge, but to the wider international community. We are curators in this moment of an 800year-old institution which has the potential to last many centuries more. We have a responsibility to the past, and especially to the future. How are we to discharge that responsibility? What actions must we take today to ensure our place tomorrow among the leaders, forcing the pace, keeping the world’s greatest universities contributing to the utmost of their potential? Cambridge needs to grow, and needs to change, and we need to ensure that growth and change are informed at every step by our values, our principles, and by the spirit and ambition that have seen us flourish for our first eight centuries. In 50 years, Cambridge has never stopped growing – in numbers of students, postdoctoral researchers, Colleges, buildings, courses and research programmes. Mostly, this growth was organic: the taking of a
UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE
series of opportunities. More recently, we have got better at planning it, in order to ensure long-term sustainability and stability. The obvious place to start is with our students. We are a small university by British standards, recruiting just 3,300 undergraduates each year, but much larger by this measure than many of our US Ivy League peers. We have eschewed further growth in undergraduate numbers because of our determination to sustain the excellence of a Collegiate Cambridge education without compromise. The costs of sustaining that educational excellence are such that it would be financially perilous to increase undergraduate numbers, without tilting the balance significantly towards overseas students. Cambridge has been research-led since the time of Isaac Newton. To continue to research at ‘the highest international levels of excellence’, we need to increase the numbers of postgraduate students and postdoctoral researchers. These groups are essential in all disciplines to sustain active research programmes, and so are key to our future academic development and competitiveness, just as we are responsible for theirs. We must compete strenuously to attract the very best of them here, and to offer them the very best environment within which they can thrive. Therefore, as Collegiate Cambridge, we have committed to continue the gradual expansion, at 2% per year, of our graduate student numbers alongside continued growth in our research activity. All six of our Schools have explicit plans as to how that will be achieved. In support of these plans, the Colleges have agreed to increase their intake – but increasing scarcity of accommodation means that beyond 2015 we will have to provide additional accommodation for graduate students and postdocs. We must also continue to build up research infrastructure and ultimately increase academic staff numbers in Faculties and Departments to provide supervision and mentoring for these new doctoral and junior research staff. Creating the headroom for this anticipated growth is unquestionably challenging, especially in the current economic circumstances, but failure to do so will significantly weaken our future competitiveness. Therefore, I should like to highlight one opportunity before us, the North West Cambridge project, which matches our academic ambitions and will underpin them, and whose scale, like our academic ambition, is extraordinary. North West Cambridge is the biggest capital project that this University has ever contemplated – indeed, I find it difficult to think of anything comparable in British higher education. On completion, there will be approximately 5,000 students and staff and their families living at North West Cambridge. The 150 hectare site will include 1,500 rental homes for University and College employees, 1,500 homes for sale, accommodation for 2,000 graduate students and 100,000 square metres of research space including up to 40,000 square metres for external research institutes and facilities linked to the University. The final cost of the project will be close to £600 million. North West Cambridge will create a new public quarter, close to the city centre. So we have engaged with local authorities to ensure that the project achieves a joint vision for the future of Cambridge as a city. Together we are committed to creating a mixed and balanced community. Make no mistake: this proposal will change the way that Cambridge works – as a University and as a city. Cambridge is one of a small handful of truly world-changing universities and we are ambitious for our institution. Like North West Cambridge, our ambition must be on an Olympian scale, commensurate with our ambition for our future. Not least among the reasons why it matters is that Cambridge transforms lives, through our teaching and our research – and by doing so, we keep the rest of the global universities running hard alongside us.
6 studentnews Newnham Arts Society The Arts Society continues to flourish since its revival three years ago, hosting a versatile programme of events across the arts. To mark the 80th birthday anniversary of Sylvia Plath (NC 1955), the Society held two special evenings of celebration in late October. The tribute began with a cinematic introduction to the writer, her work and life with a screening of Christine Jeffs’ 2003 film ‘Sylvia’. The following night, a poetry reading was held in the MCR with a group of Newnhamite actresses reciting her poetry, narrating the vicissitudes of her life and literary career and celebrating her remarkable talent.
Cardboard Boat Race Victory Congratulations to the Newnham team who triumphed at The 4th Annual University Cardboard Boat Race on Suicide Sunday – cover girls Clare Donaldson (skipper), Chloe Harris and Alice Buckley (all NC 2011). Chloe observed “The boat, impressively, managed to stay afloat, much to the surprise of the Newnham girls and the spectators. Using canoe paddles we rowed to victory in a record time of 5 minutes. Perhaps more impressively, all three of us managed to stay dry!” Alice added “We had a fabulous time racing and were completely astounded when we found ourselves actually floating. Our victory was all the sweeter for the scornful looks we received beforehand whilst we were re-touching our lipstick - everybody else was frantically adding the last bits of duct tape to their boats!”
Associates Workshop In November the Newnham Associates hosted another of their invaluable workshops for students entitled ‘Just a minute: Getting your message across in 60 seconds’. The workshop equipped students to discuss their skills, strengths and experience with confidence and to communicate their interests and requirements in a clear and focused way. To conclude the workshop, attendees practised a short speech for use in situations such as job interviews, careers evenings and networking events, designed to leave the listener with a positive and lasting impression.
A Night in Neverland The theme of this year’s June Event was ‘A Night in Neverland’ and J.M. Barrie would certainly have approved! Event President Katia Knight (NC 2009) and the Ball Committee had worked wonders – the gardens were transformed into a magical setting and the buildings lit beautifully. Over 1000 people enjoyed the evening of music and entertainment, good food and good company. Thank you to the Gardens Team, College staff and Fellows who provided help and support for the event.
7 internationalnews Australia
Indian connection
On 14 August, Professor Dame Carol Black travelled to Sydney to speak at a conference and was delighted to be able to get together with Sydney-based alumnae for drinks in the Blu Bar on the 36th Floor of the Shangri-la Hotel. It was a wonderful opportunity for the Principal to meet such a lively and active group of overseas alumnae and the stunning views of the Opera House and harbour made for a particularly special venue. In September, alumnae based in Victoria, and their partners, enjoyed dinner and non-stop conversation at the il Vicolo Italian restaurant in Carlton, Melbourne. Huge thanks to Katherine Firth (NC 1997) for organising the occasion. The sixth issue of the Newnham in Australia e-newsletter was published and circulated by editor Melissa Fisher (NC 1996) with a selection of features including an article on her ‘Sentimental journey’ back to Newnham and Cambridge in the summer, and a piece on the legendary Fitzbillies Chelsea buns.
On tour Miriam Margolyes (NC 1960) has recently been touring her play ‘Dickens’ Women’ in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK and USA, and members of both the Scottish, Manchester and Australian Newnham alumnae groups have been fortunate to enjoy her performance. The play features twenty-three of Dickens’ characters – from the famous and iconic to some of his lesser known creations. Group representative Melissa Fisher (NC 1996) said of the show: “As one would expect, Miriam was mesmerising.” Miriam is a frequent visitor to Australia and has recently become a member of the Australian alumnae network.
Principal’s 2013 visit to Hong Kong and Singapore The Principal and the Vice-Chancellor will be visiting Hong Kong and Singapore on 5th-8th April 2013. Dame Carol would like to take the opportunity to meet as many alumnae as possible. We will notify you of her plans as they progress but do keep in touch with the Roll and Development Office – via the website at www.newn.cam. ac.uk/after-newnham or email roll@newn.cam.ac.uk
This summer, thanks to the Telephone Campaign I had the chance to connect with a Newnhamite in Delhi. I was travelling for two months with a friend from Cambridge and while in Delhi we stayed with Prof. Radha Kumar (NC 1973), who had kindly invited Newnhamites to be her guests. It was wonderful meeting her and hearing about her really interesting work, both as a university professor and as the leader of a political think tank. We also had a great time sharing some Newnham memories. Travelling in a foreign country can be difficult at times, but Radha really made us feel at home and gave us some great tips for our further journey. I hope that one day I will also be able to invite Newnham students to my home – hoping that it will be in a similarly fascinating place. Anika Seeman (NC 2011, Law)
8 inspiringwomen Snapshots of Newnhamite lives Clare McGregor (NC 1991) HMP Styal is ‘home’ to some of the most damaged and damaging women in the country. They’re also amongst the most inspiring women I know. Two years ago I rang the Governor to ask if I could coach prisoners in exactly the same way I’d coach you: questioning and supporting them to work out for themselves who they are, what they want to change and how to change it. Now 22 coaches are working with me or just about to start and all do so without payment. Learn more about how we coach and the frustration, pain and hilarity of working and living in a prison at http://coachingwithstyal.wordpress.com. If you read about “Jane” you’ll also learn how this life-changing work is rooted in my time at Newnham. We’re looking to coach in other prisons, in London, and in the community; so, if that appeals or you’d like to know more, it’ll be great to hear from you: clare@claremcgregor.co.uk.
Tana de Zulueta (NC 1969) After working as a journalist in Italy for British publications for 20 years, I was elected to the Italian Parliament for another 12, first as a member of the Senate, then as a member of the Chamber of Deputies, between 2006 and 2008. As a member of the Foreign Affairs committees of both Houses I witnessed Italy's descent into three wars. As a woman in legislative assemblies dominated by men, I struggled to improve women's representation. As the only Member of Parliament who was not Italian-born, I supported the integration of one of the fastest-growing immigrant communities in Europe. As a former journalist, I pressed for media reform. As a member of the Joint Anti-Mafia Committee, I prepared a report on trafficking in human beings which convinced me of the need for a rights-based approach in this field. My proposals for media reform and the independence of the State broadcaster are today the central plank of an ongoing civil society campaign. These are some of the experiences I would like to share, and discuss, in the hope they might prove interesting, and maybe even useful, for others.
Stephanie Vilner (Sheppard, NC 1992) I have evolved from a NatSci (Chemistry Part II) into all of these: • Advisor, YES (Young Entrepreneur Society) Australia • Executive Producer, The YES Movie Australia – documentary showcasing young entrepreneurial talent, World premiere at the G20 YES in Russia 2013 • Roundtabler, New South Wales Small Business Commissioner, advising on women in business • Advisor, ENYA Enterprise Network for Young Australians – for G20 YES, 2014 I run a marketing and market research consultancy, mytoolkit. Based on 50,000 hours of research, it's about futureproofing brands (and society) for Tomorrow's World and getting brands to think about creating greener, cleaner businesses. I also have a social enterprise startup: www.partyforacause.org. I am Mum to Savannah, 7, and Elliott, 5, and fundraise for their amazing school. Newnham taught me how to plate juggle and Natural Sciences gave me the choice and freedom to follow what I loved. It was a great degree at a supportive college, which set me off on this path and I am now doing everything on my ‘bucket list’. Thank you, Newnham!
Olivia Jones (Webley NC 1979)
I graduated from the Applied Biology Department, specialising in Crop Agriculture, in 1982. Two expeditions with the Explorers’ and Travellers’ Club, to South America and northern India, reinforced my ambition to work abroad. After a Master’s Degree in Forestry I had a ten year career as a rural development forester working mainly in Asia and Africa.
My last overseas assignment before returning to the UK was managing an environment programme in and around refugee camps in northwest Tanzania following the Rwanda genocide of 1994. One of the key aims of the programme was to encourage and support tree planting by local communities to offset damage resulting from the presence of the refugees. Having completed yet another Master’s Degree, this time in Refugee Studies, I returned to Tanzania earlier this year to see whether our actions fifteen years ago had made any difference. What I found surprised even me! It was very satisfying to see large trees grown from small seedlings planted as part of the programme – whole areas once denuded of vegetation were now well stocked. It was also incredibly satisfying to meet foresters, (pictured), whom we had employed, supported and helped – some are now running local or national environmental organisations. Finally, it was wonderful to see the
establishment of a tree planting ethos among the local farmers – tree planting is now part of the agricultural cycle, with seedlings supplied by many privately owned nurseries. However this success is not universal. In other areas tree cutting is continuing at an unsustainable rate with the refugees still blamed for starting the cycle of over-exploitation. There are clearly questions as to why this difference in legacy exists, and what lessons can be learnt from the Tanzanian experience to aid the current refugee influx in southern Sudan and northern Kenya. Having recently retired from work, I am now contemplating a PhD to examine some of these questions.
Senior Members Mary Newbould is Director of Studies and Special Supervisor in English at Newnham, where she was recently elected ByeFellow. Mary’s teaching and research interests lie in the ‘long’ eighteenth century, with a particular interest in Laurence Sterne (1713-1768). Since their first appearance Sterne’s immensely popular, idiosyncratic books – The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman and A Sentimental Journey through France and Italy – have inspired parodies and adaptations in a variety of forms including prose pieces, poetry, drama, illustrations and graphic satire. Mary’s research involves situating these imaginative responses to Sterne’s work within their historical and cultural contexts, as her forthcoming book on Sterneana shows. Mary’s enthusiasm for her research matches the pleasure she finds in teaching Newnham’s English students, for whom she also arranges social and academic activities in her capacity as Director of Studies. She enjoys sharing the benefits of the supportive and thriving intellectual community found among Newnham’s Senior Members with the College’s students.
9 spotlight Steering for the Open Sea Freelance composer and choral conductor Janet Wheeler is based just down the road from Cambridge in Saffron Walden.
Janet Wheeler (NC 1975)
My many and varied conducting jobs involve all ages and stages, from primary school to adult, and from beginners and amateurs to fellow professionals. In total this comes to regular choirs or orchestras in seven different organisations. I've been musical director of Saffron Walden Choral Society for 20 years and more recently I formed the chamber choir Granta Chorale and helped set up the youth choir SignuptoSing. Of course my conducting engagements reflect this variety. They include school events, Christmas performances by massed choirs of adults and children, youth choir and chamber choir concerts like Granta Chorale at the Fitzwilliam Museum in December, and largescale choral and orchestral performances including Elgar’s Dream of Gerontius at the Thaxted Festival on July 14th 2013.
I imagined that, despite her complicated situation, Mary would have been unable to stop herself from dancing with joy at Gabriel's news that she is pregnant.
Conducting work can often lead to composing opportunities. 2012 has been an especially productive year so far with five shorter pieces and two larger choral/orchestral works completed. For the Cultural Olympiad, three of my choirs joined up with Britten Sinfonia as part of the BBC’s ‘Music Nation’. The result was MazeMusic for which I composed a piece for the combined forces. The libretto was by the award-winning writer Nick Warburton. I first collaborated with Nick back in my days as a music producer at BBC School Radio. We've worked together several times since then and I really enjoy setting his words to music. This time we produced MAZE, a 40-minute cantata inspired by Saffron Walden's two historic mazes. The piece encompasses a variety of musical styles. One quasi-operatic episode depicts Three Men in a Boat all getting lost in Hampton Court Maze. For this, the choir's leafy music scores became the hedges of a maze and soloist Edward Price ended the scene by escaping down a ladder off the stage. For more information on the project see: www.mazemusic.org.uk Two months later, I conducted Granta Chorale and a small orchestra in the première of another large-scale new work: Magnificat cum Angelis. My response to the Magnificat text was a human one from the perspective of a woman and mother. I imagined that, despite her
The premiere of the MAZE cantata
With Granta Chorale in St Mary's, Saffron Walden
MazeMusic concert at St Mary's, March 2012
complicated situation, Mary would have been unable to stop herself from dancing with joy at Gabriel’s news that she is pregnant. So the music has elements of Jewish dance in it and elsewhere is inspired by the idea of the structure of DNA. Bells, trumpet and harp are featured as ‘angelic’ instruments and it was fantastic to have Newnham harpist Anne Denholm (NC 2010) playing at the first performance. My Director of Studies at Newnham, Mary Berry, once told me that I was a big fish who would find my way to the sea, but major success as a composer is not easy to achieve. However, support from two sources is helping my progress. The Yellow Car Charitable Trust has been generous with commissions (including MAZE and Magnificat cum Angelis) as well as supporting a demo CD and a website (www.janetwheeler.org.uk). Incidentally they are also behind a superb new concert hall being built in Saffron Walden, opening in November 2013. The other source of support comes from a friendship forged while at Newnham. Fiona Yeomans (Main NC 1975) came to the première of Magnificat cum Angelis and is currently helping to promote wider performance and commercial publication of my music. This is a marvellous vote of confidence and act of friendship from Fiona. She clearly has a wealth of experience and talent and I'm so enjoying working with her at the moment. Who knows – maybe together we'll find the way to the sea!
10 roll&development 1967 Reunion Lunch – 45th anniversary Since 1987, I have been organising 5 yearly get-togethers for those of us who matriculated in 1967, usually in connection with Commemoration. Several of us came to the official 40th reunion at Alumni Weekend in September 2007. Our next official reunion will not be until 2017 so I therefore wrote to Newnham to ask if we could tag along to Commemoration or to the Alumni Weekend for our 45th anniversary. Due to the popularity of the events, there were not spaces available for us too but Penny Hubbard suggested that we could organise a private get together in July. The Roll Office sent letters to all 1967ers on my behalf and Marilyn Dowling, Conference and Events Organiser was also very helpful indeed with planning the occasion. I heard from over 70 people. Fifty two were able to come – including two husbands! – travelling from Ireland, the USA, Netherlands, Canada, Luxembourg, Spain and Israel, as well as the UK. A sherry party was followed by a 3 course lunch seated at two long tables in Clough Hall. Two of our members are resident Blue Badge guides in Cambridge and about 20 people took part in two walks, one on Old Cambridge and one on new Cambridge, seeing places we never visited when undergraduates. Meanwhile another group relaxed in the Barbara White Room (formerly Old Hall’s dining room), until we returned from our walks. I had asked those coming by car to bring 4 cupcakes each but we had a veritable feast of homemade cakes, brownies and fresh strawberries. Not only did everyone enjoy the event, but it also led to friends being reunited for the first time since 1970, emails being exchanged and mini reunions to follow. Catherine Slater (Malaiperuman, NC 1967)
Launch of the Honorary Associates The Principal, Professor Dame Carol Black, spoke at the launch on 20 September of the Honorary Associates of Newnham, held in the Picture Room at the Athenaeum. Newnham Associates step down after serving a term of 10 years; the new ‘Hons’ group gives exAssociates who want to stay involved the opportunity to continue supporting the College through active engagement with the Associates' work. There was a lively discussion and the Principal said that she looked forward to an ongoing dialogue and to working on our shared aim of seeing Newnham go from strength to strength. If you are an exAssociate and have not been asked whether you wish to join the Hons, please email honorary@newnhamasssociates.org.uk. Rolande Anderson (NC 1973)
Tails You Win: The Science of Chance Are you afraid of being hit by a meteorite? The truth is you’re more likely to win the lottery. Do you believe in coincidence? We are delighted that David Speigelhalter, Professor for the Public Understanding of Risk will deliver Newnham’s inaugural Gillian Vaisey Memorial Lecture on Friday 26 April 2013. David comments on matters as diverse as reports on the risk of damaging your unborn baby’s IQ through drinking to the risk of dying whilst doing an extreme sport. He featured in the recent fascinating BBC Four programme ‘Tails You Win: The Science of Chance’ which explored gambling to natural disasters as well as these issues. The lecture will be held in the Law Faculty on the Sidgwick Site opposite Newnham at 5.30pm – 6.30pm. It is open to the public and is free so bring your friends and explore the fundamental idea of chance itself. To use David’s words: “Does it exist as part of the external world? Or is it just a way of saying we don’t know – our personal ignorance? These are big questions that a seven-year-old can ask and the biggest brains can’t agree on.”
Return to the river
An intrepid Newnhamite crew took to the water at this year’s Alumni Weekend in September. Fiona Gooch (NC 1992) returned to College for her reunion and took the opportunity to organise a Sunday afternoon row on the Cam. Despite heavy rain and less than ideal conditions the 8+ cox had great fun and relived memories of happy hours spent on the river. We are planning a special NCBC and rowers event soon so if you rowed whilst at Newnham email us at roll@newn.cam.ac.uk so we can add you to the invitation list.
Alumnae birthday cards When you reach the age of 75 the Roll and Development Office will send you a birthday card every five years to pass on College’s congratulations. Once you are 95 you will receive a card each year. We were recently sent a charming thank you note from an alumna who had clearly made the most of her birthday: “I was amazed and delighted to receive a birthday card from you and send thanks to you all. The celebrations have been going on for a week or more, which is nice for the aged as I don’t get exhausted by them!” Margaret Neville (Stratford, NC 1940)
11 didyouknow Did you know that Clare Balding (NC 1990) went to Styal Prison at the invitation of Inspiring Woman Clare McGregor (NC 1991): see http://coachingwithstyal.wordpress.com/2012/11/08/the-dayclare-balding-came-to-styal/ Newnhamite Isabelle Grey (NC 1973) co-wrote the final episode of BBC1’s Accused – ‘Tina’s Story’ – with the series’ creator, Jimmy McGovern. The programme was aired on 4th September 2012 and starred Anna Maxwell Martin, Ewen Bremner, Robert Sheehan and John Bishop. The script and other working documents for the episode are now part of the Newnham Literary Archive.
newnhamassociates
Judy Slater (NC 1982)
I qualified as an architect in 1990 and have been working in the construction industry ever since, primarily in the UK, although I was based in Hong Kong 1994-1999. My grandfather (his firm designed the Peter Jones in Sloane Square) and great grandfather were both architects, as were an uncle and aunt, so it seemed to me to be an interesting field to be involved in from an early age. In my career to date I have mostly been involved in the transport, civil and commercial sectors – highlights include the Jubilee line extension for London’s underground network, Hong Kong’s Chep Lap Kok International Airport (with Foster and Partners) and Manchester Civil Justice Centre. I have worked variously on the client side, for main contractors and with world class architects. I enjoy the whole process from design inception to project completion – there is always more to learn, good teamwork makes things go smoothly, and there is a real buzz when you are working on a high quality product. For the last seven years I have been with Lend Lease, a global property developer. My current function is more head office than project based, and I am involved with bidding for new work, corporate communications and market analysis. These are challenging times for this industry as the state of the economy is constraining. We are delivering many new schools and academies under the Building Schools for the Future Programme, and The Hydro, a national arena for Glasgow, so there are still good projects happening. I would be very pleased to discuss possible design careers with Newnham women so do contact me via the Associates website at: www.newnhamassociates.org.uk
Baroness Onora O’Neill (Principal 1992-2006, Honorary Fellow 2006) has been appointed Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission. Ellen Bianchini (Birley, NC 1977) was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list – for services to the arts. Mrs Bianchini established the Spark Children’s Art Festival. The JCR Green Officer has a blog at jcrgreen.wix.com/newnham where you can read about projects and initiatives in and around College and receive weekly tips on how to be more sustainable. In response to the unexpected August storms that caused chaos in central Cambridge and flooded the Library many students and College staff and their partners answered the emergency call to help clean up and could be found with mop and bucket in hand. Thank you! A collection of essays on Catullus edited by the Bursar, Ian du Quesnay and Tony Woodman of the University of Virginia has been published by Cambridge University Press. Entitled Catullus: Poems, Books, Readers, the collection includes an essay by Ian himself. Wendy Hirsh (NC 1971) and Professor Dame Carol Black were named as two of HR magazine’s 25 ‘Most Influential UK Thinkers 2012’.
Secret Gardens Ball 21 June 2013 Newnham’s first ever Alumnae Ball We do hope you have bought your tickets for the Newnham College Secret Gardens Ball but if not … you still have time. You can order online at www.newn.cam.ac.uk/after-newnham/events/the-secret-gardens-ball or telephone the Roll Office on +44 (0)1223 335757 and ask us to send you a postal booking form. This will be a unique event (and probably not repeated for a while!) so come and bring your friends and enjoy a spectacular evening. In late summer 2013 we will publish a special issue of Changing Lives focused on the Ball. Changing Lives is produced by the Roll and Development Office Newnham College Sidgwick Avenue Cambridge, CB3 9DF roll@newn.cam.ac.uk Photography: thanks to Ellie Hayes, Stills Photography, David Ponting
The paper used for Changing Lives is an environmentally responsible alternative to traditional virgin fibre. The paper, LumiSilk, is Elemental Chlorine Free (ECF) fibre from well managed forests where internationally agreed strict environmental, social and economic standards are adhered to as independently evidenced by its FSC® Chain of Custody Certification.
12 events
calendar
Forthcoming events
2013
Commemoration 13 April 2013 Commemoration Reunion Weekend will take place on 13-14 April. The special reunion years invited for dinner on 13 April will be 1943, 1953, 1963, 1988 and 2003. If you have not received your invitation by early February please contact the Development Office. Secret Gardens Ball – 21 June 2013 Newnham College’s first ever alumnae ball will take place on Friday 21 June 2013. Return to College with friends and enjoy an evening of entertainment, live music and performances, dancing, funfair, auctions for the Gardens and much more. Tickets are selling quickly so book now to avoid disappointment – book online at www.newn.cam.ac.uk/ after-newnham/events/the-secretgardens-ball
12 January
New Parents’ Lunch
16 January
Formal Hall – Archaeology & Anthropology, Geography
for an up-to-the-minute listing of events, please visit www.newn.cam.ac.uk
Medicine Networking Lunch 16th February 2013 – POSTPONED Please note that the Medicine Networking Lunch previously advertised for 16th February has been postponed until 2014. As soon as the new date is confirmed it will be posted on the College website. Apologies for any inconvenience caused.
30 January
Formal Hall – MML, Linguistics, AMES
7 February
Formal Hall – English, Music, Law
16 February
Medicine Networking Lunch
20 February
Formal Hall – Natural Sciences (Biological)
1-2 March
Newnham Literary Archive Conference
6 March
Formal Hall – Economics, Land Economy,
POSTPONED UNTIL 2014 – DATE TBC
Mathematics, Computer Science 13 March
Formal Hall – PPSIS, Education, Media & Visual Culture
13 April
Commemoration for matriculation years 1943,
26 April
Gillian Vaisey Memorial Lecture with Prof.
1953, 1963, 1988, 2003 David Spiegelhalter 21 June
Secret Gardens Alumnae Ball
6 July
Roll Family Picnic
27-29 September
University Alumni Weekend, with Newnham Reunion for special years 1958, 1973, 1983, 1993.
* Please note: The subject Formal Halls included in the list above are subject to change. Anybody wishing to attend a particular Formal Hall should please check the website in advance in case of alteration. Call for email addresses The Roll & Development Office is keen to send out more mailings via email where this would be welcome to our alumnae, as it helps keeps costs down and is more environmentally friendly. Please let us know your preference and check that we have your up-to-date email address.
Newnham College Business Alumnae Sign up to the alumnae-run LinkedIn group and join the thriving Newnhamite network
Now on Follow the tweets @NewnhamRoll for the latest news