Downing College Downing College
President
P. Mathias, C.B.E., D.Litt., Hon.D.Litt.(Birm.,Buck.,Hull), F.B.A.
Vice President
Professor Lord Butterfield, O.B.E., M.D., F.R.C.P.
The Executive Committee
The President
The Immediate Past President
(Sir Robert Y. Jennings, Q.C., M.A., LL.B.)
The Honorary Secretary & Editor
(C.W. Hill, M.A.)
Assistant Secretaries
W.J. Hall, M.A.
R.J. Stibbs, M.A. (College Record)
The Honorary Treasurer
(M.J. Mays, M.A., Ph.D.)
P.A. Furniss, M.A. (to 1996)
J.R.L. Cuningham, M.A. (to 1999)
J. Hicks, M.A. (to 1996)
R.M. Kelly, M.A. (to 1998)
J.S.L. McCombie, M.A., Ph.D. (to 1998)
S.C. Smith, B.A. (to 1998)
Ex Officio Members
M.J. Mays, M.A., Ph.D. (Senior Tutor)
D.A. Blackadder, B.Sc., M.A., D.Phil (Bursar)
R.M. Smith, B.A., M.A., Ph.D. (Steward)
Honorary Auditors
S.G. Fleet, M.A., Ph.D.
D.A. Blackadder, B.Sc, M.A., D.Phil.
It has been an honour to serve the Association as its President for 1995-96, privilege being combined with pleasure. These are no idle words. I was chosen by the Fellows as Master for eight splendid years with generations of current undergraduates and graduate students at Downing, and then, in immediate succession as President for all the generations of Downing alumni. `Hail' came hard on the heels of `farewell' to remove whatever withdrawal symptoms there might have been; (in fact, life has never been busier).
This is the place for my personal welcome - and on behalf of the Association - to David King and his family. I am only sorry that their first year in the Lodge should have been made so difficult by all the restoration work. Had we known the extent of the destruction going on behind the plaster doubtless our last year would have been as interrupted as his first one!
All old members can be reassured that the college is in good shape and in good hands. The financial screw is tightening on all Oxbridge colleges but it is unthinkable that some acceptable means will not be found to enable collegiate excellence to survive and prosper. Members of the Association throughout the world continue to help substantially (doubtless we shall all be hearing from the newly-appointed college development officer in the autumn). This last year has seen a new dimension added to the Foundation Appeal with `old heavies' contributing to the Boathouse Centenary Appeal - and DCBC obliging handsomely by going Head of the River for both the Lents and the Mays. Pulling together has a special meaning for terrestial as well as aquatic members of the Association.
During the past ten years the College has been able to invest (without drawing on the endowment) more than £7m in new or refurbished buildings and amenities, transforming the quality of life for those in residence. Downing is now fully competitive with other undergraduate colleges in what is a competitive world within Cambridge and beyond. Now - as a further mark of confidence in the future and the college's determination to improve amenities for graduate students in Downing - the first module of the new Graduate Centre is being planned. Happy the college where there is an architect's model of a new building in the SCR!
In the first few days of my Mastership the Howard Building was opened by HRH the Duchess of Kent and, in my final year, Howard Court. It gives me the greatest pleasure, therefore, to welcome, when elected, as my successor as President of the Association for 1996-97, Dr Alan Howard, Honorary Fellow, to whom Downing already owes so much.
Finally, no current issue of the News Letter and College Record should fail to thank Colin Hill for his unstinting efforts on behalf of the Association as its secretary. We all owe so much more to him than these brief annual acknowledgements can reveal, but his efforts earn the gratitude and affection of us all.
Peter Mathias
The meeting took place as usual in the Howard Building with a good attendance. Apologies were received from Messrs Dupre, Fyfe, Blackadder, Hopkins, E. Smith, Thomson, Welch, Williams and Prof. Woodfill. The Chairman offered a special welcome to Mrs Rebecca Kelly, a member of the Executive Committee, who was the first woman ever to attend an Annual General Meeting of the Association. This was endorsed by the meeting with acclamation.
The Treasurer, Dr Mays, reported that there had been a lower surplus than usual this year, because of the purchase of a computer for the Association, but there was no need for an increase in subscriptions. Most events broke even, and business sales continued to be good. In respect of the latter, the Auditors had requested, for the future, the inclusion of balancing entries to cover discounts on purchases and any items given complimentarily. The Committee had proposed the transfer of £5,000 from the Building Society Account to the College Amalgamated Fund, and this was agreed. Donations of £1,000 and £100 had been received from Mrs Betty French and Professor Woodfill respectively.
In the Election of Officers, Dr P. Mathias was unanimously elected President for 1995-96.
It was agreed unanimously that Lord Butterfield should be invited to become Vice President of the Association.
Dr Mays was re-elected Treasurer and Mr John Hall appointed Assistant Secretary in place of Mr A.T. Grove. Mr J.R.L. Cuningham was elected to the Committee.
Two recommendations of the Committee were agreed:
that Committee members should be entitled to claim reasonable out-of-pocket expenses from the Secretary;
that the Association Prize should be increased from 100 guineas to £125 and its value reviewed more frequently in future.
The Secretary reported that the London dinner would take place at Gray's Inn on 26 April 1996.
Regret was expressed from the floor that the College memorial plaques were becoming dulled and difficult to decipher. The Secretary undertook to consider what remedial action might be taken.
Most of the faces at the dinner were familiar, though it was good to see a good number of new ones, especially from the younger end. After the meal, which was of our accustomed high standard, the President, Sir `Robbie' Jennings, first presented the Association Prize to Richard Hubner and explained why he had won it, then proceeded to give his presidential address. He recalled that when he came in 1932, Downing and Cambridge were very different places. His lodgings were awful, indeed rather dirty, but this did not surprise him, after what he had been told in Bradford about the ways of `southerners'. Even as late as 1932 an occasional guest at high table arrived by horse-carriage and coachman, and after dinner one heard the clip-clop as he returned down Regent Street.
He remembered being summoned to Christ's to be given advice by a second-year undergraduate from Bradford on how to live in Cambridge. This advice was that he should go to the theatre regularly, and not to hesitate later on in term when feeling tired to `have a blind'. Seeing that his lodgings had curtains he saw no need for an extra blind, so he never took this part of the advice!
`How different Downing is now,' he said, `with its new buildings and splendid benefactions, but above all with its stronger collegiate spirit, with dons, graduates, undergraduates and staff all belonging to the College family. This is something of tremendous value, and the feeling of belonging to a community joined by common interests, purposes or loyalties, whether in a village, a country or a college, is one of the few pleasures that actually become more intense and more important with age.'
He then proposed a toast to the College, to which the Master made his reply. He began by referring to the imminent end of his time as Master: `For me, of course, this evening has a very special significance, as it has for Ann, who is at present host for the ladies' supper in the Howard Building. It is the last College occasion which I shall attend as Master - this is going out `on a high' . . . but this end is but a beginning as I have now been elected as your President for next year. This is the nicest possible way to counter any withdrawal symptoms in the passage from one incarnation to another, passing (as it were) from the Church militant to the Church triumphant.'
He then spoke of the progress of the College, which really had enjoyed a marvellous year. Fifth in the league table of colleges for all classed examinations, with a most pleasing improvement in the results in the Humanities. `In addition, we won 21 blues and half-blues in 14 sports, together with 22 colours in University teams. Over the past eight years Downing has won the `cuppers' in almost every major sport, and on the river more than once been winners of the Fairbairn and the light-weight Fours, and more than once Head of the River in both Lents (where we still are) and the Mays (where we lie third). Last year was the first one in my eight years as Master when we did not have a major building contract running, (since 1987 over £6m has gone into College buildings). But wait! The Governing Body is now in the process of choosing an architect for the new graduate centre, for which we now have £3/4m in the bank, thanks to Allied Domecq, the Nippon Credit Bank, Keio University and Flemming Heilmann. This stresses our dependence upon the advice, help and generosity of our Old Members. You have contributed over £1m to both appeals now, with Downing graduates resident in N. America giving a further £200,000. David Beatty, John Hawkins, Peter Thomson and others have been instrumental in putting us in touch with actual and potential benefactors, whilst another initiative is in progress through Sir Gordon Reece and Richard Frischmann.' He pointed out that the financial constraints are going to continue, so that the College must earn more for itself and seek funds in a more targeted, more structured way.
Finally, he thanked the Old Members for showing Ann and himself so much kindness, and offering them such a warm welcome to the Association; he hoped that Old Members would give an equally warm welcome to David King and Jane.
In addition to Dr P. Mathias, Dr S.G. Fleet, Rev. B. Kinsey, Dr R.M. Smith and Mr R.J. Stibbs from College, the following members were present:
1929, T.B. Rymer; 1932, Sir R.Y. Jennings; 1933, K.W.S. MacKenzie; 1934, D. Adamson; 1936, H. Hargreaves; 1938, J.D. Rigg; 1939, G.J. Malik; 1940, C.W. Hill, C.A. Ingram; 1941, B.L. Garner, W.J. Oldham; 1942, A. Talbot-Williams; 1943, J.B. Aldred, A.D.M. Sorrell, J.C. Turner, M.J. Winter; 1944, J.M. Butler, P.B. Harvey, L. Marshall; 1945, D.A. Dean; 1946, B.S. Jarvis, E.G. Smith, C.B. Spurgin; 1947, J.P. English; 1948, D.W. Adams, P.A. Allan, G. Bevan, L.C. Bowerman, D.J. Joseph; 1949, T.A. Ball, T. Glynn Jones; 1950, L.J. Hulton, J. Jeffs, D. Lister, J. Seabright; 1951, N.N. Morris, H.C. Oberst, Rev. C. Oldroyd; 1952, N. Berger, J.L. Evans, G.E. Hall, J.F. Hawkins, W.H. Orrell; 1953, D. Beatty; 1954, N.E. Bagshaw, J.A. Bird, D.B. Carter, P.P. Courtney, M.J. Denham, M.J. Harris, P.M. Head, R.L. Nelson, Sir M. Neubert, J.H. Thornley; 1955, J. Dixon, W.J. Hall, J. Hazelwood, J. Hicks, J. Noble-Nesbitt; 1956, J.M. Williams; 1957, B.A.T. Holden; 1958, T. Venables; 1960, D.W. Peregrine-Jones; 1963, M. McEnery; 1965, J. Barrie-Jones, G.L. Laufer, A.W.S. Robinson; 1966, M.R.D. Stebles, R. Stemler; 1967, M. Gibson, J.K. Moss, R.A. Williams; 1973, M. Aske, R. De Barr, P.J. Hayes, N.T.M. Roberts, I. Taplin; 1982, Mrs K. Dyer, Mrs R. Kelly, M. Storey, Mrs K. Storey; 1992, R. Hubner.
The handsome dining-hall of the Inn saw over 80 members and their guests enjoying an excellent meal. Lord Butterfield, the Association's newly elected Vice-President, stood in for the President, Dr Mathias, who had committed himself to an inescapable engagement long before he knew he would be President. Lord Butterfield and the Master, Professor David King, spoke briefly, and Julian Jeffs, a Master of the Bench, through whom we had access to the Inn, gave a short talk on the history of that illustrious institution. The catering staff and waiters were particularly friendly and helped considerably to make this the happy and enjoyable occasion it was.
Sixty-one members and their guests came to College in the unfavourable weather that at the same time was playing havoc with the matches at Wimbledon. Even so, it was a most enjoyable gathering, with a meal of high quality and a happy reunion of many regular attenders at this function. Lady Morgan took one party to the Fitzwilliam Museum after lunch, while another group went for a tour of the University Botanic Garden, despite the intermittent showers. There was a small exhibition in the library, and the Rose Garden was particularly attractive. This occasion seems to be worthy of a permanent place in our calendar.
The 69th Annual General Meeting and Annual Dinner will take place on Saturday, 21 September 1996.
Again there will be a fork supper for spouses in the Howard Building while the dinner is taking place in the Hall.
The kitchen manager has made only the slightest increase in charges, but it has been decided to make a change in the cost of accommodation. Members will continue to have the night of the dinner free of charge, with spouses paying £13, but this year there will be a charge of £6.50 per person for any additional night's accommodation.
There will be lunch in Hall for a limited number, and tea will be as usual
in the West Lodge from 3.30p.m. There will be Evensong in the Chapel at 5.00p.m. and the A.G.M. will take place in the Howard Building at 6.15p.m.
Andrew ROBINSON has asked us to make a special appeal to those who rowed in 1966 to come to this Dinner 30 years on!
An agenda of the A.G.M., together with a list of members attending, minutes of last year's A.G.M. and a programme of events will be available on checking in at the Porter's Lodge.
Pre-dinner drinks will be served in the Senior Combination Room from 7.00p.m. and dinner will follow in Hall. After dinner, there will be a bar in the Howard Building as usual.
On Sunday, 22 September, there will be Holy Communion in Chapel, celebrated by the Chaplin, Revd Bruce Kinsey, and breakfast will be served from 8.30a.m. onwards.
Please note that the Annual Dinner in 1997 will again be on the 20th, the penultimate Saturday in September, through circumstances beyond our control, so that it is likely to be again the week before the University Alummi Weekend.
The warmth of the reception accorded to my wife, my children and myself during our first year by students, staff and Fellows alike, has ensured an easy and enjoyable assimilation for us into our new environment. In this time I have formed a clear view of a distinctive, vibrant and close community, committed to scholarship, but also to a quite astonishing range of activities based around the College. The performances of the men's first VIIIs on the river, maintaining headship of the Lents for the third year in a row and going head in the Mays, kept the sporting profile of the College high. For me this was matched, for sheer pleasure, by the women's football team trounching Christ's on the way to the Cuppers semi-final; by a performance of a musical Black Jack, written, produced, directed and performed entirely by our students; by several lively and talented Music Society concerts in the Howard Building; and by the flurry of May Week garden parties in the Master's Garden. Other events which will live on in the memory include a lecture beautifully delivered by the first winner of the biennial Oon-Downing International Prize in Preventive Medicine, Dr David Lomas, and the Reunion, Association and Commemoration- Dinners at which I was treated by some of our Old Members to vivid accounts of their own times at Downing. Nor will I forget the poignant moment at the Cranworth Law Society Dinner, presided over by Sir Robert Jennings, when junior and Old Members demonstrated their esteem and affection for our Senior Fellow, John Hopkins, by giving him an unplanned standing ovation. Not surprising then, that my commitment and loyalty to the College are already firmly cemented in place.
Amongst the Old Members who returned to the College after many years away was Trevor Nunn. He was clearly moved by memories triggered by the Domus, by the occasion and by the reception he received from the junior members of the College and the Fellows. During the year he was elected an Honorary Fellow of the College by the Governing Body, and we were pleased to offer him our congratulations on his appointment as Director of the National Theatre.
Many Old Members have mentioned the impressive developments since their time as junior members, including student performances in the exam room, on the stage and on the playing fields or river, and also the wonderful new facilities which have helped enable these performances, particlarly the new Maitland-Robinson Library, the Howard Building and Howard Court. But there is clearly also a sense of pleasure and satisfaction in finding the main court, the Paddock and the gardens much as they always were: elegant, even austere, neo-classical buildings, spaciously set out alongside a green amd mature parkland, almost implausibly set in, but apart from, the bustling city centre.
Our plans for the next development, the addition of further student housing at the Southern end of the Domus, are now well under way, and in appointing a Cambridge firm of architects, Bland, Brown and Cole, we were well aware of the need to retain the uncluttered view of the Catholic Church across the Paddock. This exciting new development, which will enable us to house a larger proportion of our graduate student body than at present, will take the form of a series of domestic scale buildings along the line of the back garden walls of the Lensfield Road villas, forming private courtyards with the villas themselves but screened from the main court by the trees at the end of the Paddock. The first building phase is estimated to cost one million pounds, and £750,000 has been raised to date. This includes generous contributions from Flemming and Judy Heilmann, Keio University and Allied Domecq. A significant contribution was also received during the year from The Malabar Trust, courtesy of Sir Gordon Reece, to improve the College gardens.
The most important task I undertook in this first year was to set up a Development Office with a new full-time Director. Matthew Mellor, a graduate of Lincoln College, Oxford and Development Officer with experience at both Lincoln and Pembroke, has been prised away from the latter and starts with us in September. We have all been impressed with his obvious professionalism, and his fund of ideas. He has a very substantial task ahead of him, to help place the College on a sound financial footing as we move into an era when public funding is eroded away, but I am sure it is a task that he will tackle with relish.
Reports from the Student Societies are recorded on other pages, where you will note that unusually we did not record wins in either football or ruby Cuppers this year, although both the men's and women's rugby teams finished second in their respective leagues. We did, however, score Cuppers victories in cross-country running and in swimming. Counting in the successes of DCBC, not a year to grumble about.
Finally, in giving you my initial impressions of the College, I should like to move the focus from the members and the Domus to the staff and the Fellows. Here, too, the College is impressive at all levels. Porters who appear to be able to handle every crisis with dignity and good humour; kitchen staff whose meals have produced praise from all quarters; tutorial and bursarial staff who combine efficiency with an ability to listen to individual difficulties; and Fellows who combine a strong sense of commitment to the College community with their own pursuit of learning and research, at the highest level. In any such vital community, a loss of valued colleagues to other institutions is inevitable. In the summer recess we shall lose Dr Martin Maiden, who has been appointed to the Chair of The Romance Language at Oxford, and Dr Hugo Tucker, who moves to the Chair of French Studies at Reading University. I wish them both success and thank them for their many contributions to Downing.
David King 16 July 1996
The academic results of the College in 1996 are thoroughly respectable with many highlights, although they do not quite match the record results achieved in 1995. Sixty-two of our students achieved First Class Honours and there were some particularly outstanding individual results. Thus, David Featherstone obtained a starred First in Part II Geography and easily topped the University Class List. Jonathan Fisher and Mark Robertson obtained starred Firsts in Part IB Law, with the former heading the University List, and David Riddoch headed the Class List in Part IA Computer Science. Downing candidates were 2nd in the University in Part II Architecture (Deborah Sher), Part II Chemistry (Peter Kirkpatrick) and Part I Manufacturing Engineering (Christopher Manson). A Downing candidate admitted to read Mathematics, who changed to Oriental Studies at the end of his first year, was awarded a distinguished First in Part II Egyptology, illustrating the versatility and wide-ranging academic ability of many of our students.
At the other end of the spectrum I take particular pleasure in the fact that not a single undergraduate in the College taking a Tripos examination has failed to be awarded Honours. In addition, the number of undergraduates obtaining Third Class Honours (10), is lower than in 1995 (12) or 1994 (20). Over this period there has been a reduction in the number of thirds awarded in the University, but not to the extent witnessed at Downing.
Overall, based on all University examination results in 1996, we were placed eighth among the 24 Colleges admitting significant numbers of undergraduates. Unfortunately for Downing this year, however, league tables published in the national press are based on final year results only and give particular weight to First Class Honours (5 points) as opposed to Upper Second (3 points), Lower Second (2 points) and Third Class Honours (1 point). In the final year at Downing in 1996 there was an extremely good crop of Upper Seconds, but a few less Firsts than in 1995, particularly on the Science side where more Firsts are awarded, which has led to a fall in our position (to 16th from 10th last year) in the league table based on final year results only. In contrast, our first-year results in 1996 are particularly good (we were placed third in the University) and I am hopeful we will bounce back up the Table over the next year or two.
Returning to individual performances at Downing, the Association Prize this year has been awarded to David Featherstone in recognition of his outstanding performance in Part II Geography and the Whalley-Tooker Prize (for the best performance in an examination taken in a student's penultimate year) to Jonathan Fisher for his excellent result in Part IB Law. The Governing Body had a hard time awarding the four available Pilley Scholarships, since there were 29 applications, all of excellent quality. These scholarships are awarded, in accordance with the terms of the Trust Deed, to `those who have shown proficiency in University examinations and who have displayed good influence and qualities of leadership in the College with particular emphasis on sport and participation in College sporting teams'. It is noteworthy that the stunning extra curricular activities of the applicants were not engaged in at the expense of academic excellence since this year, `proficiency in University examinations' was actually represented by 5 Firsts, 20 Upper Seconds and only 4 Lower Seconds.
At the time of writing `A' Level results are about six weeks away, and as usual, we shall be faced with some difficult decisions as to whether or not to confirm offers of places to candidates who have narrowly failed to meet the terms of their conditional offers (most usually three Grade A passes on the Science side and AAB on the Arts side). This year the position is made more difficult by nationally imposed restrictions on the admission of home and EEC students to Universities. Cambridge has been allocated a MASN (maximum aggregate student number) which translates for Downing into a ceiling of 112 new home and EEC students for October 1996. We can take extra overseas students to maintain our numbers and there are, of course, many excellent applicants in this category from which to choose. In October 1997 it is likely that the number of new students we shall be allowed to admit will depend upon the resulting total population of home and EEC undergraduates in residence. With the introduction of an increasing number of four-year courses, particularly on the Science side, we may need to reduce our admissions targets for home and EEC students, and the question will then arise as to how to apportion these reductions between subjects. Do we reduce the numbers on the Science side because scientists are in residence for a longer period or do we reduce numbers across the whole spectrum? This is a problem which the College Education Committee and the Governing Body will be grappling with over the coming year.
Martin Mays
The 8 year Mastership of Dr Peter Mathias ended with his retirement on 30 September 1995. Although it was written up in the News Letter last year, I should like to record my personal appreciation of a highly enjoyable working relationship. He was succeeded by Professor David King, who became the fourteenth Master of the College and is eligible to continue until 2006. As Head of the Chemistry Department which lies on the south side of Lensfield Road, he could hardly have a shorter journey between his two places of work. The consequential saving in travelling time is actually quite significant over a year and very helpful to a man with so many commitments.
Professor King and his wife, together with their children, have endured stoically the rigours of living in a Master's Lodge largely given over to workmen creating a great deal of noise, dirt and general inconvenience. This has emphatically not been the kind of introductory year at Downing which we would have wanted for them. Any visitor to the College in the past year will have noticed the elaborate scaffolding on the Master's Lodge and also on other roofs, though for shorter periods. These unsightly and unwelcome structures are associated with the eradication of dry rot which has appeared or reappeared in a number of locations. The nature, detection and treatment of these problems are very complicated matters, but the basic facts are easily summarised. The older buildings of Downing, in common with many others dating from the first quarter of the last century, were not constructed to a very high standard. Some of the shortcomings or design faults can now be seen as time-bombs ticking away gently over the years. The technical difficulties associated with effective inspection are very great and the current revelations are hardly surprising. In former times the College appears to have skimped on maintenance and this, coupled with a limited understanding of dry rot, meant that problems were sometimes covered up rather than permanently cured. The present operations will cost well in excess of half a million pounds, which, in the light of an annual turnover of less than four million, is something of a bombshell.
After much thought, the College has appointed a Development Director whose role will be to provide the momentum for efficient fund-raising. On 1 September Matthew Mellor will be taking up the post. He is a graduate in classics from Lincoln College, Oxford, and is thoroughly familiar with Oxbridge. Some old members may be understandably uneasy about the creation of the new post lest it jar with the image of comfortable and effortless viability which Colleges used to project. Sadly, this image is no longer justified in most Colleges including Downing. The search for new or enhanced sources of income is crucial for our future and we believe that the key to this being done effectively lies with someone possessing the appropriate professional skills and whose commitment is both full-time and passionate. The College was greatly encouraged by a group of old members who were very keen to see this new approach adopted and who urged us to take the plunge. I am thoroughly persuaded that our action was the right one in the circumstances.
Benefactions of various kinds have been received in the course of the year. An American alumnus, Flemming Heilmann, made an exceptionally generous gift to the building fund via the American Friends. In one of the occasional newsletters associated with fund-raising, I described the advantages to the College if the support costs of a Fellowship could be provided from a permanent endowment, at the same time enabling a name to be commemorated if so desired. It is satisfying to report that two such gifts have been accepted with a third in prospect. Just before his untimely death last summer, R.J. (Jerry) Owens provided for a Trust Fund to cover the support costs of a Fellowship in English. Very recently a benefactor who wishes to remain anonymous, has undertaken to provide for a Fellowship commemorating Frank Wild, a former Senior Tutor of the College. Mrs Betty French, known to some old members, died during the year and generously remembered the College in her will. In addition to setting up the Stanley French Organ Fund in memory of her late husband, a former Fellow, she directed that half of her residual estate should pass to the College. A handsome legacy from the late Percy E. Lander will provide support for those researching in certain medical sciences. In addition to these gifts and bequests the College has benefited from a number of smaller but very welcome acts of generosity by old members and others. As Bursar I am also aware of a number of planned legacies as a consequence of old members consulting the College when drawing up their wills.
The College has embarked on a further building programme likely to run well into the next century. The most pressing immediate need is for up to 100 new rooms for graduate students, but before that total is reached, a new or extended MCR will be required. Indoor sports facilities would also be most useful. Since the northern part of the domus is now almost fully developed, it was natural to look towards Lensfield Road as the site of major new buildings. The gardens of the hostels there are deep and it will be possible to concentrate building on the line presently constituted by the walls separating these gardens from the main College grounds. The idea is to develop a number of courts incorporating both the existing buildings and the new ones which will be domestic in style, rather than making a strong architectural statement. It is emphatically not change for the sake of change which led the College to appoint a local firm of architects, Brown Bland and Cole, to be responsible for the development. Rather, it was a recognition that their particular expertise is well-suited to the task as identified. If planning consent is secured without too much delay, then Phase 1, providing 30 rooms, could be started in 1997 and brought into use for October 1998. Other phases will follow as funding allows.
Old members whose memories go back at least 28 years, may remember Sidney King who served as Fellows' Butler prior to his retirement. He died in June of this year aged 92. His inside knowledge of the College over a period of more than 40 years was unique and we have lost an important link with the past.
Although the Foundation Stone of the College was laid in 1807 and this event must be commemorated in 2007, we propose to hold a major celebration in 2000 as the year of the bicentenary of the granting of our royal charter. A book of essays on the history of the College is being prepared and a committee has just been set up to make proposals for special events in the bicentenary year in Cambridge and elsewhere. Suggestions from old members would be carefully considered.
Old members who remember my previous contributions will be expecting some comment on the general financial difficulties of the College. Some relevant matters have been mentioned already: the appointment of a Development Director is positive while the eradication of dry rot is dismally negative. With fee income declining in real terms, we are obliged to develop other sources of income and to contain costs. While there is certainly some scope for expanding our conference business, this inevitably creates problems at the interface with our central academic activities for which alone we exist. By October of this year the room rents paid by our junior members will have been raised by a third in real terms since 1990. They still represent an excellent bargain for junior members and the policy of increasing rents annually by 5% more than inflation must be maintained. I remember vividly a Downing Association A.G.M. some years ago at which I was attacked, courteously of course, for not charging high enough room rents. The speakers on that occasion referred to the rents charged to their sons and daughters in other universities. I certainly took it all to heart as the current policy demonstrates.
Having nearly completed 13 years as Bursar of Downing, my retirement must necessarily take place in the next few years, but I hope to contribute for a little longer to the well-being of a remarkable institution whose old members continue to surprise, delight and impress me in all sorts of ways. I almost wish I had been a Downing man myself.
David Blackadder
The Executive Committee has decided to offer for the consideration of the A.G.M., the name of Dr Alan Norman Howard, the College benefactor. He came to Downing in 1948 from The City of Norwich School to read for the Natural Sciences Tripos. He worked for his Ph.D. in the Department of Pathology on an immunological project. His first post was in the Dunn Nutritional Laboratory, and from then on most of his career was concerned with nutrition and obesity. In the sixties, as Senior Research Fellow in the Department of Pathology, he combined with Spillers to create the Cambridge Formula loaf, and was responsible for its efficacious trials. In 1970 he was in the Department of Medicine studying lipid-lowering drugs. Then in 1980 the Cambridge Diet was launched in the United States, after being developed at the Middlesex Hospital 1970-78, and funds which accrued from this led to the formation of the Howard Foundation in 1982. This has provided over £4 million to Cambridge University and medical research throughout the world. The Howard Building was completed in 1987 and Howard Court in 1994. From 1983-88 he was a Lecturer in Nutritional Research at Downing, and in 1989 he was made an Honorary Fellow. His appointments in the field of nutrition and atherosclerosis are too numerous to mention here; he has been responsible for over 240 publications and is still doing research into coronary heart disease and obesity and their treatment by diet. His generosity is boundless: si monumentum requiris . . .
The Ridgway Staffordshire Earthenware Plate
A description of this by Peter Stovin was published in the 1991 News Letter. Now one has been kindly presented to the College by Dr B.S.H. Storr (1939); it can be seen in the Senior Combination Room with a full description at hand. For the benefit of new readers, we will give a shortened description.
The plate was manufactured by John and William Ridgway in `opaque china' some time between 1819 and 1830 in the Bell or Cauldron Place potteries at Shelton (Hanley), Staffs. The central picture of the Master's Lodge was drawn by H.A. Barker in 1805 to illustrate Wilkins' Architectural Plan. The drawing was engraved by S. Sparrow for printing purposes, and the block was used for printing the picture of Downing in the 1812 Cambridge Almanac. It was also used by the Ridgways for printing under the blue and white glaze image on the centre of their six inch plate in the dinner service known as The Oxford and Cambridge Service, of which there are eleven known Cambridge and eight Oxford items.
The Ashtead Plate
The information about the Ashtead plate came from David Cotton (1956), who also provided the photograph. He writes:
`Those interested in the memorabilia concerning the College may be already aware of a plate which I have been recently given, and may be able to supply further details. It was made by the Ashtead pottery and has a pale blue ground, bearing in its shallow bowl the arms of the College. These are hand-painted in dark blue outline with a similar blue band on the rim, the overall diameter being 9". A single dot among the pottery marks indicates the artist to have been Albert Vincent, a short biography of whom appears in the book Ashtead Potters Ltd in Surrey 1923-1935 by Edward Hallam. The pottery was set up by a philanthropist after the First World War in the Surrey village of that name on the outskirts of London, in order to give employment to ex-service men. The style of its wares during its twelve years of existence veered between Arts and Crafts and Art Deco: this example is pleasantly orthodox! The author of the book does not appear to refer to plates such as this being produced for Downing, or indeed other colleges generally. It would be interesting to know whether this was therefore a "one off" commission and for whom. It was doubly welcome to me anyway as a silver wedding present, both for its connections with the College and also with Ashtead, working there as I have done for the past thirty years and still do!'
As part of the celebrations of the bicentenary of Downing in 2,000, the College has commissioned the publication of a volume of essays, written by History Fellows, past and present. It is proposed that topics covered should include: the origins and foundation of Downing; Downing and nineteenth-century politics; Maitland, Leavis and the humanities; Downing and the law; Downing and the University; the Downing estates; Downing and Classicism.
Members of the College who may have material relating to any of these subjects are invited to write to the editor, Dr Paul Millett, at Downing. He is especially anxious to hear from any friends and contemporaries of the late L.C.B. Seaman, whose diaries may form the basis of a chapter on Downing in the early 1930s.
The Appeal, established in 1995, to mark the centenary of the College Boathouse, has made an excellent start. More than £70,000 has been subscribed towards the future funding of the Boat Club and the Boathouse. In addition, Andrew Jones (1969) has most generously paid for a new eight.
The spectacular results of the Boat Club this year, in which the men's first boat was Head of the Lents and Head of the Mays, provides great encouragement to seek further funds. The aim is to secure the financial future of the Club, and to deal with urgently needed refurbishment of the Boathouse. The successes of the Downing boats need to be sustained and the facilities upgraded and improved. The Boat Club has always had to manage on a fraction of the finances of some of the clubs against which we compete, including well-endowed Boat Clubs at a number of other Colleges.
Funds are being sought by the Boathouse Centenary Trust, of which Downing oarsmen and oarswomen of the different generations are Trustees. If you are able to help, please send donations to the Secretary of the Trust, Dr Stephen Fleet, at Downing College, or apply to him for a covenant form or gift aid form.
Sunday, March 31st 1996 dawned cold and grey and miserable, as usual. The CUWBC crews seem to like that sort of weather as they achieved a clean sweep, winning all three races. The Blue Boat and Blondie both won by 4 lengths, but the Lightweights had to struggle harder for their victory of 1/2 a length twice as hard, in fact, as their race was halted half-way down the course, after some furious blade-clashing, and re-started.
The CUWBC Association held another Brunch with the Windrush Association at Leander Club. Numbers were down on last year's celebratory occasion (possibly due to late receipt of details - apologies) but it was nice to see some old faces and we were able to entertain the CUWBC's new sponsors, Andersen Consulting, in a convivial atmosphere.
Next year's races will be held on Sunday 23rd March. Please put the date in your diary.
We seem to be having trouble with lost members - some of you seem to have moved on without letting us know where to contact you. If you are a member of the Association but did not receive details of the Brunch, it is probably because we do not know where you are. Please let Jo Burch have your new details.
Membership of the Association is open to all former members of the Blue Boat, Blondie and Lightweight crews (and to all those who rowed for Cambridge as Newnham against Oxford before Girton and the other Colleges joined in). For further details of membership, which costs £10 per year (to include a newsletter and an invitation to the Association Brunch, the balance being invested for the CUWBC), please contact Dr Jo Burch (Newnham 1983) at 27 Ferry Path, Cambridge CB4 1HB.
Joanna Burch
I came up to Downing in January 1919 after serving six months in an infantry regiment. Owing to the war the number of undergraduates was greatly swollen and accommodation was scarce. Many were still in uniform and I, a mere lance-corporal, found myself uneasily hob-nobbing with very senior colonels and majors. To add to the overcrowding, the Navy had decided to send to Cambridge a few hundred half-trained naval officers to finish their training. The best-known of these was Lord Louis Mountbatten. One of these officers, who was at Downing, inveigled me into playing a leading part in
a hoax in which, disguised as the recently appointed Imperial Russian Ambassador and assisted by the make-up department of the New Theatre, I had to decorate a rather foolish and gullible young officer who had boasted of his bravery in some minor naval action in Russian waters. The hoax was successful and I was glad to escape undetected.
Two royal princes, one of whom later became George VI, spent a year at Cambridge in the early twenties. They were carefully shepherded everywhere they went by their equerry, and can hardly have led the life of ordinary undergraduates. On one occasion when I was playing tennis on an adjacent court, they needed a fourth man. We tossed for it and I was not successful. Another member of royalty I saw was the Crown Prince Hirohito of Japan, later Emperor during World War II, who paid a state visit to Cambridge and drove round in an open carriage.
The buildings of Downing then consisted of two wings of an unfinished court. There were grass tennis courts on the north side. Chapel services were held in an attic over the hall. Part of the ground floor had been sliced off to form a senior common room. It was only years later, when the dividing wall was demolished, that one could see the real proportions of the hall as William Wilkins created it.
One of my contemporaries was Lionel Whitby, who later discovered the sulphonamide group of drugs. He had lost a leg in the war, but he was always cheerful and one of the most affable men I ever met. He was later knighted and elected Master of Downing.
In my day women, though permitted to attend lectures and sit for examinations, were not members of the University and therefore were not awarded degrees. In Part II of the 1921 Law Tripos, a Miss Roll came top, but owing to her sex she was not given a degree or awarded the Chancellor's medal. I am glad to know that this injustice has been remedied.
Reading Law gave me ample time for recreation and to indulge my interest in politics and music. I attended a series of lectures by Maynard Keynes on `The Economic consequences of the Peace' (the Versailles Peace Treaty), and the Professor of Music on Wagner. I attended debates at the Union. I took dancing lessons and went to May Week Balls. My time at Cambridge was not wasted.
The centenary of the birth of Dr Leavis was marked by the publication of several books on his work and influence. Two of these were by Ian MacKillop (1957) and we asked another of Leavis's pupils, David Holbrook (1941) to write about them.
The Intensity of Being `Difficult"
F.R. Leavis: A Life in Criticism. Ian MacKillop. Allen Lane, the Penguin Press. 1995. £25
F.R. Leavis:- Essays and Documents. Ian MacKillop and Richard Storer, Editors. Sheffield Academic Press. 1995. £35
Ian MacKillop's critical biography of F.R. Leavis is a remarkable achievement, not least because the subject is such a minefield. As is evident from the book itself, Leavis pursued such an uncompromising path in pursuit of his aim to establish `true judgement' and totally to revise the critical topography of English literature, that he caused widespread offence. It may have been necessary to tread on many toes, but it is also obvious from this book that there was some satisfaction for Leavis in being such an iconoclast. As the years pass we need to try to balanced the gains against the harm done, which must surely include the damage done to the Scrutiny movement itself. As several reviewers of this biography have declared, despite the view held here and there that the arid developments in `literary theory' have made Leavis's achievement obsolete, one cannot escape the feeling that Leavis's best interpretations and judgements seem as fresh as ever. I believe that his influence on syllabuses everywhere and on the `canon' of English literature has been of enduring benefit and certainly he left as his main legacy a conviction that the study of literature is a serious civilised undertaking, as part of the Humanities.
Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch, one of the founders of the English Faculty at Cambridge and its first professor, helped to advance Leavis's early career. It was he who persuaded Downing to give him a post as a young man. But Leavis, whose early lectures had been sponsored by his own college Emmanuel, had wrong-footed himself by choosing to lecture on James Joyce's Ulysses, at that time a banned book. The Home Office took the view that Leavis was a `dangerous crank' who appeared to be reading passages from this obscene book to boy and girl undergraduates. (The Home Secretary, Joynson-Hicks was an evangelistic president of the National Church League.) The Vice-Chancellor was warned that the Director of Public Prosecutions would prosecute if possession of the book came to his notice and that `the publicity would hardly tend to increase the reputation of the university'.
This pressure from the DPP did not, however, impress the Vice-Chancellor who was also Master of Downing at the time, Professor A.C. Seward, a distinguished botanist, for he embraced the appointment of Leavis as Director of Studies in English two years later and saw him made a Fellow four years after that. But no doubt, this affair hung in the background of Leavis's career at Cambridge, not least because he never curbed his tongue nor his pen on any subject about which he felt strongly, and nor did his wife (about whom Leavis spoke of `the intensity that makes her "difficult"').
Leavis was active at Downing from 1931, but it was only at the beginning of 1937 that he was able to act as a member of the fellowship with voting rights on the Governing Body. By 1943 Downing had its largest entry yet of students to read English: there were eighteen freshmen. By 1947 Leavis had fifty Downing English students. He said, `I will myself have to cover the whole ground with them good for me but strenuous'. In some years, 1938 and 1939 for instance, half the firsts in English at the university went to Downing. Because he made schoolmasters so aware of what we expected at Downing, his students came up having taken the equivalent of a freshman's year in the sixth form.
Leavis liked the later Master, Admiral Sir Herbert Richmond, whom he described as an `old sea dog'. He also maintained good relationships with W.L. Cuttle, a Classics don and later Senior Tutor, although `in conversation the temperature could drop sharply'. Leavis and Cuttle founded the college Doughty Society in 1939, `to encourage the study of literature in all its branches, classical and modern'. For thirty years the Doughty Society was a platform for Leavisian speakers carefully selected by Leavis and his wife, as the records in the Minutes Book in the archive reveal.
But the most painful passage in MacKillop's book is the tortuous and tortured account of the dealings at Downing over the individuals who might have succeeded Leavis - the distinguished followers Morris Shapira and Harold Mason, and the outsider Brian Vickers. These events happened under the mastership of the `ascetic' and `fair-minded' W.K.C. Guthrie. The details are too complicated to give here and are marked by misunderstandings, clumsy diplomacies and double-dealings. For instance, Guthrie seems to have appointed Vickers in 1964 to an English post in the college without consulting Leavis, who immediately resigned his fellowship, denounced the college, and pronounced Vickers as `the liquidator of Downing English' even though he had never met him and knew nothing of his work. The Fellows were indignant and urged a reduction in the number of English students and urged that they should be sent elsewhere for tuition.
They also discouraged the F.R. Leavis Lectureship Trust from appointing their man to Downing. The man chosen was a Leavis-follower, Harold Mason, who edited The Cambridge Quarterly. At a crucial moment, this journal published an article `Scrutiny's failure with Shakespeare' and the whole thing blew up. The subsequent months were, in MacKillop's words `shocking for the Cambridge Leavisians in the Trust Group', the project was abandoned, and the money returned. This is all gone into in miserable detail, which includes a letter from Morris Shapira, who was Leavis' lieutenant at Downing, revealing his exasperation in 1966. He told Leavis `You've got your eyes only on your own ego' and he accuses him of `keeping up a remarkable structure of lies by force of will'. At a meeting of the Trust, another follower, John Newton, is reported to have said he wanted to shout `Liar! Liar!' and when told this might kill Leavis, he replied, `At least then he might have died in the truth!'
The chronicle of these terrible events, bland as MacKillop's account of them is, must surely impel us to try to reassess the nature of Leavis's achievement and his effect on the study of literature! MacKillop's book has had a surprisingly good reception, except for one or two malicious pieces. Many expressed a wish that Leavis's kind of criticism (`the literary critic is concerned with judgements about life') might return, following the decline of arid and futile literary theory. But a shadow hangs over his essential assumptions. It is true that literature is to be taken seriously, while its `upshot' has a moral quality. But while books have some influence on a person's life, and even may refine his moral proclivities, they cannot turn us all into angels or even reasonable civilised beings, as this record of a prominent school of literary studies so painfully demonstrates.
The collection of essays made by Ian MacKillop and Richard Storer is intended also to mark the centenary of Leavis's birth. It begins by asking whether his relationship with his students was such a `collaboration' as he claimed or was it a `monologue'? So, they include a good deal of detailed material - reading lists, passages used for comment in supervisions, examination papers from Downing entrance examinations and so on. A good deal of this material has only historical interest for those who might want to make a special study of Leavis's methods. There is a long and detailed study of Leavis's attempt, apparently inspired by his wife, to produce a new novel Gwendolen Harleth, out of George Eliot's Daniel Deronda, despite the author's own protests that it should be taken as a whole. A publisher refused to go ahead with it because it would have required much re-writing. They also reproduce some students' notes from Leavis's teaching sessions, which reveal something of the dogmatic tone (Ezra Pound is described as `that brute', for instance, while `sex is Eliot's only interest' is recorded) and seem tantalisingly bitty. One of the best essays in the book is by Barry Cullen, dismissing the theoretical directions which English has taken in recent decades as a dead end, while demonstrating how correct Leavis was to pursue the inwardness of meanings, and to emphasise the importance of English as a Humanities study. I found Garry Day's discussion of Leavis and post-structuralism confusing and disappointing. Michael Black writes a dutiful examination of Leavis's work on Lawrence. But many of the anecdotes throughout this book are scrappy and trivial.
David Holbrook
George Callan (1954), wrote to give us the sad news that the Downing Arms, Croydon, (generally known at Downing as `The Scratching Cat'), of which he was formerly landlord, closed as a public house last August and has reverted to being a private house. It was first licensed in 1827, and apart from a period of about 18 months, 1970-71, when it changed its status from that of a tied house to become a freehouse, it had a continuous licence.
C. Matthew Gilmour (1933) wrote to the Master last November to tell him of yet more rowing success for Cambridge, with a Downing interest. The annual races in the Challenge Cup Regatta on the Potomac River at Washington D.C. between crews of alumni of Oxford and Cambridge who live in the area,
saw the Cambridge crews win in both the Gentlemen's Eight and the Past Gentlemen's Eight, with his son, C.M. Sandy Gilmour (1967), rowing bow in the latter.
David Holbrook (1941), Fellow Emeritus of the College, was deservedly honoured in October last when the Associated University Presses published a 288 page `festschrift' to mark his seventieth birthday. The book of essays is entitled `Powers of Being', edited by Edwin Webb, Senior Lecturer in English at the University of Greenwich, and in it are contributions by sixteen academics and teachers from the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States, Part I being a portrait of David written by Boris Ford. In over thirty years his range of publications has been prodigious: from `English for Maturity' (1961), his first book on teaching English, to `Creativity and Popular Culture' (1994), he has written on literature, culture and education, as well as producing his poetry and his novels. His distinguished literary achievements are here suitably celebrated.
Dr Alan Howard, Honorary Fellow of the College, has received an honorary D.Sc. from the University of Ulster. It was in 1993 that the Howard Foundation established a chair in Human Nutrition in the university's Coleraine campus. Incidentally, the chair will be occupied by Prof. David Thurnham, at one time a member of the Dunn Nutrition Unit in Cambridge, where Dr Howard also once worked.
Frank Howes (Captain of Boats 1927), father of Colin Howes (Captain of Boats 1962), celebrated his 90th birthday in November last. He is still proudly wearing his Boat Club blazer.
Guy Linley-Adams (1986) wrote to Dr Richards last December and let us know what he has been up to of late. For the second-half of 1995 with his wife, Melissa, whom he married earlier in the year, he was in South America working for `Friends of the Earth'. They were investigating projects funded by the World Bank, such as copper mines, copper smelters, hydro-dams and `unbelievably a five-star hotel'. They found a considerable difference between the World Bank policy as expounded in Washington and the reality in the field. Their report has been brought up in the parliaments of Paraguay and Argentina and is to be submitted to the World Bank inspection panel in Washington. He is, at present, living near Leominster, working, when we last heard, as a consultant to the Friends of the Earth and the Worldwide Fund for Nature. He is Director of Conservation at the UK-based Marine Conservation Society.
One of those who graduated in 1995 was the actress Thandie Newton (1993), who had been reading Archaeology and Anthropology. She was born in Zimbabwe and lived there until she was five; then her parents moved back to her father's native Cornwall. At the age of 16 she appeared in an Australian film, Flirting, and its success brought her more and more parts: according to the Telegraph magazine, she made six films during her three years at Downing; and she still got a II.1!
Trevor Soames (1979) has re-established contact with the Association after the lapse of several years. He tells us that after going down in 1983 he went to the Inns of Court School of Law to study for the Bar Finals. He undertook pupillage, but in 1985 he joined the office of the Solicitor to the Department of Trade and Industry. Soon he joined Linklaters and Paines in London. Then in 1990 he joined Norton Rose in London, was seconded to the Brussels office in 1993 and became a partner in 1994. His practice is increasingly taken up with EC-related issues, advising on mergers and acquisitions, anti-competitive agreements, abuse of monopoly positions, etc, with a great number of published papers to his credit. Married in 1983, he has a daughter and two sons.
Attree, R. (1982), see Kelly, R.
Ballinger, D.A. (1978): Director of Finance, Morrison, Mahoney & Miller, a 180 attorney law firm, Boston, USA; member of Oxford and Cambridge Society of New England cricket XI.
Baughan, C. (1975): Consultant in Clinical Oncology, Royal South Hants Hospital, Southampton.
Bird, J.A. (1954): retired from solicitors' practice after 35 years with the same firm.
Boulding, P.V. (1973): appointed Queen's Counsel, April 1996.
Briggs, S. (1971): Ph.D. 1995, University of East London.
Buck, G.R. (1968): Director of Cornwall and Devon Careers Ltd, privatised out of the public sector April 1995; Manager DML Diesels, privatised April 1987.
Bulloch, A.G.M. (1971): Professor, University of Calgary.
Burley, C.J. (1978): Director of Transportation Planning Consultancy, SPB Hong Kong Ltd; in Hong Kong since 1988.
Bryant, Julie (1989), in qualifying as a Chartered Accountant, was given fourth place in the order of merit of the whole country, and was awarded the Strachan Prize.
Chapman, M. (1971): Headmaster, Keswick School, Cumbria.
Collins, R.J. (1963): Vice-President, Finance, Crane Valves.
Corfield, Dr A.R.H. (1985): General Practitioner, the Glastonbury Surgery, Somerset.
Day, P. (1977): Head of Translations, Swissair, Zurich, since 1989.
Deacon, J. (1979): Divisional Director, Campina Melkunie, Netherlands.
Dissanaike, Prof. G. (1950): retired as Senior Professor of Physics, University of Pertadeniya, Sri Lanka; now an Emeritus Professor.
Dunn, L.T. (1978); appointed Senior Lecturer and Honorary Consultant Neurosurgeon at Glasgow University, 1996.
Eedle, J.H. (1949): adviser, Tertiary Education Commission, Mauritius, 1995; member of interview panels, Faculty of Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne.
Flower, M.W. (1972): Co-ordinator, Analytical Technology, Pfizer Ltd.
Forsdick, B.W. (1961): Director ABT-International (Project Management Software Company).
Foulkes, Miss A.M. (1992): awarded Astbury Scholarship, Hon. Soc. of the Middle Temple, 1996.
Groenweld, A. van W., now Andrew Greenfield (1981): partner, Howard Kennedy, solicitors, London; Past President and Founder of European Young Bar Association.
Gundle, R. (1977): consultant orthopaedic surgeon, Oxford; D.Phil.(Oxon) 1995; F.R.C.S. Eng. 1994.
Harrison, Prof. B.T. (1958): Professor and Dean, Faculty of Education, Edith Cowan University, Perth, W. Australia.
Harrison, D. (1983): Head of Mathematics, Shrewsbury School.
Hazelwood, J.G. (1955): Elected Companion of the Institute of Management.
Head, P.M. (1954): Clerk to the General Commissioners of Tax, Epping and Harlow Divisions.
Holloway, C.J. (1972): appointed to the IBM Academy of Technology, 1995.
Holt, Sir M. (1949): Knight Bachelor, Queen's Birthday Honours, June 1995, for political services.
Holton, L.J. (1950): retired December 1995 from being Principal Lecturer, School of Engineering, Coventry University.
Ingram C.A. (1940): Vice-President, Bracknell Conservative Association.
Jindal, R.K. (1980): partner in Freshfields since 1994, based in Hong Kong.
Kelly, Mrs R. (1982): Director of the Institute of Export; first lady member of the Company of World Traders; consultant in International Trade Law and freelance legal journalist.
Kidwell, M.H.I. (1951): retired in May 1995 from being Sales and Marketing Director of the packaging company, Bonar, Bibby & Baron Ltd for 19 years.
Knowles, G. (1982): Associate, Pinsent, Curtis, Leeds.
Leung, F.K. (19 ): a partner in the Los Angeles office of Lewis, D'Amato, Brisbois and Bisgaard, has been appointed a lecturer of law at the Stanford Law School.
Lloyd, T.O.S. (1976): Non-Executive Director, Wales Tourist Board from 1995.
Lodge, H.D.P. (1992): awarded Lord Justice Holker Scholarship, Hon. Sec of Gray's Inn, 1996.
Lush, C. (1979): Head of History, St. Edward's School, Oxford.
McKean, I.R.W. (1963): took early retirement from the post of Head of English at Hammersmith and West London College in December 1994; now works in the Vaughan Library at Harrow School.
Malik, G.J. (1939): Chairman, Maharani Voyages Pvt. Ltd, New Delhi.
Mannion, S. (1983): Orthopaedic Registrar, Guy's Hospital, London.
Mitchelson, I.S. (1956): Chief Executive (designate), Service Children's Education.
Morris, H. (1981): Senior Development Officer Steelmaking, BHP, Australia.
Oldroyd, Rev. Preb. C. (1951): retired, now Prebendary Emeritus.
Owen, T.W. (1991): ended short-service commission in 10th Gurkha Rifles; now works on the expatriate house staff of Swires, based in the Far East.
Plant, Dr G.T. (1971): 1990 Consultant Neurologist to the National Hospital for Neurology, to Moorfields Eye Hospital and to St Thomas' Hospital; 1994 elected Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians; 1994, member of research group studying epidemic optic neuropathy in Cuba and Tanzania, supported by the Overseas Development Agency and the Wellcome Trust.
Platt, H.G. (1945): now retired, has been involved in short-course training for clergy and evangelists in the Diocese of Machakos, (CPK), Kenya.
Rashid, O. (1992): awarded Queen Mother Scholarship, Hon. Sec. The Middle Temple, 1996.
Reader, K.A. (1964): Professor of French, University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
Reed, J.W.R. (1992): awarded Cassel Scholarship, Hon. Soc. Lincoln's Inn, 1996.
Riess, T.W. (1973): Vicar of St Mary Magdalene church, Gorlestone (Norwich Diocese).
Royalton-Kish, M. (1971): appointed to the Editorial Board of the specialist, academic journal, Master Drawings.
Scott, J.A. (1977): appointed Queen's Counsel, Hong Kong, 1996.
Shaw, Prof. K.M. (1962): Visiting Professor, University of Portsmouth; Director of Research and Development, Portsmouth Hospitals N.H.S. Trust; Editor-in-Chief of journal Practical Diabetes International.
Siddall, N.M. (1993): award Astbury Scholarship, Hon. Soc. The Middle Temple, 1996.
Singer, J. (1994): working for Knight, Frank &- Rutley (Chartered Surveyors).
Soames, T. (1979): partner in Norton, Rose, Brussels; Secretary of the European Air Law Association.
Sorrell, A.D.M. (1943): appointed M.B.E. 1995.
Spurr, J.A.P. (1960): has taken early retirement from the M.o.D. on medical grounds.
Stiles, P.C. (1975): Senior Manger with Merita Bank Ltd, London.
Stirling, Miss T. (1981): Policy Officer, Chartered Institute of Housing in Wales.
Straker, T. (1973): appointed Queen's Counsel, 1996.
Thornley, Prof. J. (1954): Professor, Faculty of Health Science, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario; Director of Laboratory Medicine, Henderson General Hospital, Hamilton; President of the Canadian Association of Microbiologists, 1993-95.
Twemlow, WA. (1962): President, Liverpool Law Society 1994-95.
Ward, A.R. (1993): awarded Hardwicke Entrance Scholarship, Hon. Soc. Lincoln's Inn, 1996.
Waters, M.J.C. (1969): Deputy Political Adviser, Hong Kong Government, 1995; (HMOCS since 1972).
Wates, J. (1958): now retired, recently elected Councillor (Lib/Dem) on Luton Borough Council.
Wilson, B.W. (1957): retired December 1995 after 35 years working for Glaxo.
Wiseman, D. (1969): Company Chairman of Wisewhey Corporation Ltd, January 1996.
Almond, Prof. J.W. (1974) m. 1976; Attree, Miss R. (1982) m. 1994, now Mrs R. Kelly; Ballinger, D.A. (1978) m. 1988; Colson, S. (1980) m. 1986; Corfield, Dr. A.R.H. (1985) m. 1991; Day, P. (1977) m. 1985; Franklin, M.G.S. (1974) m. 1988; Greenfield, A. formerly Groenweld (1981) m. 1989; Harris, L. (1987) m. 1991; Hayes, P.J. (1973) m. 1990; Jindal, R.K. (1980) m. 1990; John, P.L. (1973) m. 1980; Linley-Adams, G. (19 ) m. 1995; Lush, C. (1979) m. 1991; Markwick, R-J. (1979) m. 1987; Moors, Dr A.H. (1978) m. 1993; Morris, H. (1981) m. 1995; O'Hanlon, J.P. (1959) m.(2) 1982; Popplewell, A.H. (1982) m. 1989; Ramchandani, M.K. (1977) m. 1984; Russell, A.N. (1985) m. 1993; Shneier, Dr A. (19 ) m. 1995, now Mrs Citron; Smith, Miss C.R.L. (19 ) m. 1995, now Mrs Downs; Tong, C.S. (1980) m. 1992; Wiseman, D. (1969) m. 1994; Worthington, M. (1973) m. 1994.
Almond, Prof. J.W. (1974) sons 1980, 1990, daughter 1982; Addis, W. (1968) sons 1991, 1994; Attree, Miss R. (1982) now Mrs Kelly, son 1994; Ballinger, D.A. (1978) daughters 1992, 1994; Colson, S. (1980) daughter 1990, son 1992; Corfield, Dr A.R.H. (1985) daughters 1993, 1995; Franklin, M.G.S. (1974) daughter 1989, son 1991; Greenfield, A. (1981) son 1993, daughter 1995; Gundle, R. (1977) son 1994; Harris, L. (1987) daughter 1995; Hayes, P.J. (1973) daughter 1994; Jindal, R.K. (1980) son 1994; John, P.L. (1973) sons 1985, 1987; Laband, A.E.M. (1970) daughter 1995; Lush, C. (1979) son 1995; McAllister, D.T. (1981) son 1993; Markwick, R.J. (1979) daughters 1987, 1989, 1994; Moors, Dr A.H. (1978) daughter 1994; O'Hanlon, J.P. (1959) son 1983, daughter 1993; Popplewell, A.H. (1982) daughters 1992, 1994; Ramchandani, M.K. (1977) sons 1987, 1991; Russell, A.N. (1985) daughter 1994; Tong, C.S. (1980) daughter 1985; Vainker, F.J. (1971) sons 1981, 1984, daughter 1986; Walker, S. (1975) son 1995; Wiseman, D. (1969) son 1996; Worthington, M. (1973) daughter 1995; Youngblood, R.S. (1980) daughter 1995.
Robert William Addie, C.Eng., F.I.E.E. worked from 1946-78 in the electronics industry, holding senior posts in most of its various branches. He came to Downing in 1936 from Marlborough College to read Engineering. At College one of his interests was in amateur radio, and he was Secretary/Treasurer of the University Wireless Society in 1936 and 1937, operating as a `ham' from his rooms on L Staircase beneath those of a tolerant Kenneth Sporne. He graduated just in time to go off for six years in the Royal Signals, where he was concerned for much of the time with radar. He ended his service career as a major of engineering in India. He started his post-war career with Philips, then served in various executive positions for several different companies. He retired, somewhat early, in 1978 after a heart attack and a stroke, yet he recovered to live almost another twenty years. He died 29 April 1996 at the age of 79.
Frank Aldred died suddenly on 8 December 1995 at the age of 68. He came up from Bolton School to read History in Part I, but subsequently read Psychology in Part II, with a view to qualifying as an educational psychologist. After teaching in Norwich and London, he moved to C.F. Mott College of Education in Liverpool as Head of the Psychology Department and Director of the innovative four-term year. He was later appointed Principal of Rolle College, Exmouth, where he subsequently retired to continue his enjoyment of sailing, foreign travel and natural history. He was active in the local community as Chairman of the C.A.B., lay-steward in Exeter Cathedral and producer of the Exmouth talking newspaper for the blind. He is survived by his wife, Vera, a son and daughter and three grandchildren. We are indebted to Geoffrey Townsend (1949) for this obituary of his old College friend.
Reginald Ayres, who died aged 91 in Cambridge on 24 October 1995, was a distinguished teacher of Chemistry, a devoted Scout leader and an active, devout Methodist. He was born at South Molton, Devon, on 19 September 1904, the youngest son of a Weslyan Methodist family. After Barnstaple Grammar School, he entered Westminster College, London, and qualified as a teacher. After briefly teaching in Islington, he moved to Truro School, where he gained his lifelong devotion to the Scout movement. After four years there he was encouraged to take a degree at Downing, and there read Part II of the Chemistry Tripos as an affiliated student. He entered fully into College life and was a member of the soccer XI. Afterwards he took a first class external B.Sc. at London University. In 1932 he was appointed to teach Chemistry at The Leys School, where he spent the rest of his career, for all but the first two years, as Senior Science Master. His Senior Science Society was one of the most flourishing school societies, and his wide circle of friends in the University enabled him to recruit distinguished lecturers. In addition to his most successful teaching, he was a devoted Methodist with a particular concern for the work of the Church overseas. On his arrival at The Leys he introduced scouting to the school, and throughout his career it grew in strength. Reg was for some time the County Commissioner for International Scouting, and he led parties of Scouts and Rovers camping all over Europe. He was Chairman of the Science Masters' Association in 1957 after a long period on the Committee. He retired from The Leys in 1968 and became a part-time lecturer at Homerton College and a teacher at St Faith's Preparatory School. He also worked for the Cambridge University Local Examinations Syndicate, and on their behalf went to several African countries as a Chief Examiner. In September 1994 he was presented with his certificate of 70 years' service as a Methodist Local Preacher.
In 1933 he married Hilda, and three years ago they celebrated their Diamond Wedding in the company of their daughter and four grandsons. Hilda died in 1994, and Reg collapsed a year later and died after a heart attack. His funeral took place at the Methodist Church, where he had been a member for 65 years. For this obituary we are indebted to two of his colleagues, Maurice Howard and Ronald Brown (1930).
Prof. Raymond John Heaphy Beverton, C.B.E., F.R.S., who died on 23 July 1995 at the age of 72, was a most distinguished microbiologist. Born in 1922, he came to Downing from Forest School (the school of his tutor, Bill Cuttle), to read Natural Sciences. After Part I he went off to war and joined a team doing chemical research. In 1945 he spent a year at the government Fisheries Laboratory in Lowestoft, where he helped to design a research vessel. On his return to Cambridge he had a most successful year for Part II of the tripos, gaining the top `first' and winning the Smart Prize for Zoology. He was a member of the successful soccer side at College and gained a blue. From 1947-65 he was on the staff of the Fisheries and Food-fisheries laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and became Deputy Director 1959-65. He left that post to set up, as its secretary, the Natural Environment Research Council, and moved its headquarters from London to Swindon. In that post he was appointed C.B.E. in 1968, became F.I.Biol. in 1973, and a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1975. He left there in 1980 to take up university appointments, becoming Senior Research Fellow in the University of Bristol in 1981, and a Research Fellow at Southampton. During this period he accepted an honorary professional fellowship at the University of Wales Institute of Science and Technology, at the same time being on many committees, giving consultations up to government level and editing for eight years the journal of Marine Science for the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES), which was published biannually. He became full-time professor of Fisheries Science in the Department of Applied Biology, UWIST, and was Head of the School of Applied Biology when UWIST merged with University College, Cardiff, to become the University of Wales College of Cardiff in 1988. He received the honorary degree of D.Sc. in the University of Wales in 1989. His publication of books and papers in learned journals was very wide, covering all fields of the ecology of marine and freshwater fisheries. Throughout his career he enjoyed the full support of his wife, Kathy, who survives him with their three daughters.
Ashley Gordon Brooker spent the whole of his teaching career in South Africa. He was born on 23 June 1908 and died on 6 July 1994 at the age of 86. He came to Downing from Sevenoaks and read History. His first post was at St Andrew's School, Bloemfontein (1931-34), then St Andrew's College, Grahamstown (1935-53). In 1954 he went to be Second Master at Falcon College, Rhodesia, and from 1956-59 was its Headmaster. He returned to St Andrew's College, Grahamstown in 1959 and retired from there in 1973 to live in Somerset West, Cape Province. In 1986 he moved to Zimbabwe, where one of his sons was Headmaster of a school in Marondera. He it was who kindly wrote about his father's death. Ashley married Margaret, and they had three sons and two daughters. Another son, Anthony, was at Downing (1961-62) for his post-graduate Teacher's Certificate. A distinguished hockey player, he went on to be an international and is now teaching in Australia.
Ganesar Chanmugam died of cancer on 26 March 1996 at the early age of 56 in hospital in Houston. An authority on physics and astronomy, particularly on collapsed stars, he was Professor in the Louisiana State University. He was born in Colombo on 24 October 1939, the son of a professor in the University of Ceylon and after school at St Paul's in London, he returned to the University of Ceylon. There he graduated as the top mathematics student of his year and moved straight to Downing, where he read the Mathematical Tripos as an affiliated student. After Downing he went on a teaching fellowship to Brandeis University in Massachusets, where he was awarded a Ph.D. in 1969. After a period at Amherst University, and a spell of teaching in Belgium, he returned to USA and the Louisiana State University. Most of his research in astrophysics was in L.S.U., but he also worked at M.I.T., the Space Telescope Institute in Baltimore and other research institutions throughout the world. He was a Fellow of the U.S. American Physical Society and the British Royal Astronomical Society. Ganesar was a keen tennis-player and a most popular member of his university. A Chanmugam Memorial Fund will pay tribute to his enormous contribution to L.S.U. and support future activities in Physics and Astronomy there. The material for this obituary was kindly sent by his cousin, Dr Jayarajan Chanmugam (1949), who also read mathematics at Downing.
Arthur Robin Chapman died on 18 September 1995 aged 83, as a result of a severe stroke, having borne the effects of a previous one with much patience and courage. He grew up in Kenilworth and went to school at Leamington College, before coming up to Downing to read for the Natural Sciences Tripos. He began his teaching career with three years at Oswestry Grammar School. Then in 1936 his tutor at Downing, Dr Holmes, remembering that Robin had once expressed interest in working abroad, put him in touch
with Ben Osler, who was seeking for someone to replace him as physics master at Michaelhouse in South Africa, which was at that time staffed by a distinguished group of Oxford and Cambridge men under the leadership of Ronald Currey, the Rector. Apart from his work at all sports and mountaineering, his strong Christian convictions led him to form the first Balgowan branch of the Institute of Race Relations. At the end of the war he became a Housemaster, ran the Cadet Corps and was in charge of careers. In 1948 he returned to England for a year on an exchange with Repton, which he followed by a year at Hymer's College, Hull, until his South African interests pulled him back to Natal, and he resumed his Housemastership at Michaelhouse. He remained for another seven years, but in 1958, thinking of his ageing parents he returned to England and taught at King Henry VIII School, Coventry, until he retired and settled in Malmesbury. Here he developed his old hobbies of photography and beekeeping and even as a septuagenarian stood unsuccessfully as SDP candidate in the 1987 General Election. He had married Honor Barnes in 1939, and she survives him with their two sons and a daughter. We are indebted to his widow for providing the information for this obituary.
Max Charles was for twenty-two years a sub-editor for The Times. Born 1 May 1919 in Aldershot, he died on 23 July 1995 at the age of 76. After Aldershot County High School he joined up in the R.A.F. when war was about to start and became a wireless operator/air-gunner in a Blenheim squadron. In a raid over France in 1940, he was shot in the hand and lost three fingers. Recovering in Ely, he did some writing about his experiences in the war, and decided that he would become a journalist. An ex-serviceman's grant enabled him to come to Downing, where he read Part I English and Part I History, graduating in 1947. After Cambridge he worked for several years on provincial papers. In 1954 he went for six years to the editorial staff of the Belfast News Letter. Then one year with The Telegraph brought him to Fleet Street and he transferred to The Times in 1961. Working his way through sub-desks, he became revise sub-editor for the last ten years of his working life. He retired in 1984 and spent much of his retirement travelling. He never married and is survived by a brother.
John Roy Colliss, former doyen of St Albans County Grammar School, died 26 May 1996. He was born in 1911 at Dinnington, South Yorkshire, and was educated at Chesterfield Grammar School. He came to Downing as a Scholar and read Natural Sciences, following his degree with the Teacher's Certificate. At college he won his colours in rugger, hockey and cricket, and was a member of the Griffins Club. On leaving Cambridge in 1933, he started his teaching career at Coatham School, Redcar, and in 1938 moved to St Albans, where he stayed until he retired in 1971, having been Head of Mathematics and from 1947 Deputy Headmaster. He was an inspiring teacher, always supportive to staff and boys alike, and much of the school's fine reputation must be attributed to his strong and wise leadership. One of the happiest and most moving occasions of his life was when Old Boys and colleagues of the `Old Verulamians' Lodge came up to Northamptonshire to a special meeting because John was too frail to visit them. He accepted with dignity the death of his first wife after many years of ill-health and the death of his second son in 1986. An asthmatic from the age of 21, even in times of physical pain he never complained. He always put the needs of others first. He is survived by his wife, Anne (who kindly sent us material for this obituary), a son and two step-children.
Dudley Cook was one of the last permanent officers to join the Colonial Service. He died from a brain tumour in November 1995 at the age of 55. He came to Downing from St Peter's, York to read Classics, but after Part I he transferred to the History Tripos. His first posting in the Colonial Service was to the Gilbert and Ellice Islands for one year, then he went as manager of the coconut plantation on Christmas Island in 1964 when he was District Commissioner, Line Islands. While he was there, the island was used as a base for testing atomic weapons. After four years he was sent to the Solomon Islands. He was secretary to the cabinet there and from 1970-72 was Commissioner of Lands and Surveys. His final posting was in 1975, as chief executive of Malaita Provincial Government. He returned to England in 1978 and began a successful career as an accountant, a corporate tax specialist and charity worker. He campaigned hard but to little effect for a survey of the Christmas Island colonial staff and workmen, many of whom had died from unusual cancers. He himself was found to have Hodgkins lymphoma in 1986, but recovered with chemotherapy and lived for another nine years. He was married and had two sons and two daughters.
Colin Howes, Captain of Boats in 1962, has contributed the following appreciation of his time at Downing. `Dudley Cook came up to Downing from St Peter's York, in 1959 and immediately made his mark in the Boat Club.
Having rowed at school - a comparative rarity for Downing freshmen in those days - he quickly established himself as stroke of a promising second boat which was to distinguish itself by finishing in the same time as the 1st VIII- in the Fairbairns.
His contribution to Downing rowing was immense and as my Secretary of Boats in 1961-62, he was a tower of strength. An able administrator and an effective coach, he also displayed tireless enthusiasm for the club as a whole, caring as much for the well-being and motivation of bow in the fourth boat (which rowed six days a week, let it be said) as he did for the 1st Boat's training schedule.
He won his oar in the 1961 Lents and stroked us back into the first division of the Mays the same year.
"Dudders", as he became affectionately dubbed, lived a full college life and was widely known for his kindness, good humour and consideration for others.
He had a diverse range of interests and an extensive circle of friends, both within the College and the University. He was an active member of various clubs and societies, including the Maitland and the Exiles. Less well-known was the fact that he formed a "secret" society (The Quid Club) dedicated to original - and preferably spectacular - practical jokes. When a pair of crossed oars appeared on the pediment over Hall, or a collection of bicycles was displayed on the Chapel roof, you may be sure that "Dudders" had a hand in it!
A classicist, he switched to History for Part II of the Tripos. I have happy memories of him snoozing quietly by Reggie White's gas fire during a supervision whilst I read my essay.
This was a reflection, not of laziness or lack of interest, for he went on to get a 2:1 in Finals. Perhaps it was an implied comment on the quality of my essay? My own conclusion is that it was the combined effect of pleasant fatigue from a hard outing on the river and a generous helping of tea and crumpets!
Dudley applied to the Colonial Service and took one of the last pensionable posts available in the Gilbert and Ellice Islands. To train for this he stayed up for a fourth year (coincidentally the Boat Club Centenary).
My correspondence with him in this far-flung post of "Empire" over the years always produced fascinating insights into the lonely life of the District Commissioner. We had both read Arthur Grimble's APattern of Islands, and had chuckled over the passages describing the anxiety and strain of awaiting the next appearance of a supply ship with its welcome replenishment of whisky stocks!
Dudley's career in the Pacific Islands was interrupted by illness in 1971, when he was flown home on a stretcher. During his recovery at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases, the ever resourceful "Dudders" courted one of his nurses and she duly became his wife.
His subsequent achievements, both in the service and in a second career as an accountant and corporate tax specialist, are covered by the above obituary. Dudley's untimely passing is a tragic loss to his wife and family: Downing mourns the passing of a distinguished son and Downing Boat Club "true blade".'
Geoffrey Dunkin died suddenly on 9th July 1995. He spent his early years in West London, and was educated at Greenford County Grammar School. After completing National Service in 1959, he came up to Downing with a State Scholarship to read History, graduating in 1962. Between 1963 and 1978, he taught history in four schools in the South of England. In 1978, he moved to Medina High School in the Isle of Wight as Head of the Sixth form. Four years later, he was appointed Deputy Headmaster at Queen Mary's Grammar School, Walsall and in January 1987, he became Headmaster of the Hulme Grammar School for Boys, in Oldham.
As a historian, Geoffrey was an academic, who had a sound knowledge of current affairs, politics and government. He also had a deep understanding of the world of education, and was a tireless, and sometimes outspoken, champion of independence. During his time as Headmaster, his was the driving force which helped to shape the rebuilding of the school. He was justifiably proud of it, and greatly enjoyed showing visitors around the new buildings. He loved accompanying school trips abroad, sang in the school choir and acted in school plays. Geoffrey was a thoroughly professional schoolmaster, meticulous and businesslike in his work. He understood and enjoyed the company of young people. He worried over hard decisions he had to make about the future of individuals, and despite appearing calm and confident on the surface, he was always deeply concerned underneath. Geoffrey understood the importance of the family and is survived by his wife, Dilys, and his two sons.
This obituary was supplied by B.J. Aldred, the retired Deputy Headmaster of Hulme Grammar School.
Frederick Henry (Jimmy) Dupre who was several times, until his health prevented it, the senior member at Association Annual Dinners, died in Elstree 8 June 1996, aged almost 96. Born in Hampstead 8 June 1900, he was at Felsted School and came to Downing at the age of 20. First he read Chemistry for two years, then returned to Downing later and read Law from 1926-28, gaining his B.A. in January 1929. In 1926 he married Doris Wills of Cambridge, by whom he had one son and one daughter. Doris died in 1935. On leaving Downing, Jimmy joined his father, Fritz Dupre, who was a manganese and iron-ore merchant in London. His duties involved worldwide travel in connection with sales and supplies. His father died in 1936 and the firm was owned by a family trust, with him as business manager. In 1946 the role of the metal merchant was declining, and Jimmy became interested in vermiculite as an insulating material. He imported vermiculite from South Africa, and processed it into granules suitable for roof insulation, which he sold as Micafil. In 1949 he married again, this time to Ada Prinz from Norway. They had a son and two daughters. Micafil was a success, and when Jimmy retired in 1983 it was sold favourably. A congenial companion who was always unpretentious without being insignificant, Jimmy loved his vintage Rolls Bentley and frequently drove it to the Rhine, where the family owned a small vineyard at Johannisberg. He is survived by his five children and twelve grandchildren and by his brother Peter (1933) who kindly provided the information for this obituary. His brother Walter (1923), who read Law and became a barrister, died in 1981.
Friedrich Max (Peter) Eckstein, M.B., B.Chir., Professor of Reproductive Endocrinology in the University of Birmingham 1971-81, died 19 March 1996, aged 81. Born in Berlin, the son of a surgeon, he studied first in Freiburg in 1931, but because of Hitler he decided to study abroad, first at Geneva, then Bologna, and finally at Downing, so that he started on the Natural Sciences Tripos at the age of 21. His background made him fluent in German, French, Italian and English. On graduating in 1938, he continued his medical studies at Guy's Hospital, and became M.B., B.Chir. in 1943 and M.D. in 1948. After qualifying in 1941, he worked in Guy's for a year before moving to be a demonstrator in the Department of Anatomy at Oxford, from 1942-45. He then joined the Department of Anatomy at Birmingham University and there he did much research into the reproductive physiology of rodents, particularly in relation to birth control. He was made a senior lecturer in 1958, a Reader in 1967, and finally Professor of Reproductive Endocrinology in 1971. In this capacity he was frequently consulted by governments, particularly in India. In 1961 he was visiting professor of anatomy in the University of California, San Francisco. He worked with the Birmingham Family Planning Association and assisted the International Planned Parenthood Federation at national and international levels. He had a long list of publications and he was for many years editor of the Journal of Endocrinology, associate editor of the Journal of Reproduction and Fertility and co-editor of both editions of The Ovary. After retirement, he had an honorary research fellowship in the Department of Pathology in Birmingham. He is survived by the two daughters of his marriage to his first wife, Beatrice, who died in 1974, and by his wife Annette, whom he married in 1976.
James Hugh Wallace Fagan, M.A., M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., D.O.M.S., died from acute gastroenteritis 30 December 1995, whilst on holiday in Goa. He was born in Edinburgh 23 March 1914 and came to Downing from Denstone College. He was awarded his B.A. in 1937 and M.A. 1969. His obituary in the British Medical Journal told how after graduating he went to complete his training at Westminster Hospital and soon afterwards went into the Royal Navy as a Surgeon Lieutenant, R.N.V.R. He was involved in convoy rescue ships and escort duties, sometimes on the North Atlantic run. After war service he trained in ophthalmology and for over 40 years worked as an Ophthalmic Specialist at Moorfields Eye Hospital. During that time he also worked at the Western Ophthalmic Hospital. Meanwhile, he built up a busy practice in his speciality which was a valuable service to the local community, yet his heart was always in hospital work and he continued in part-time practice long after the normal age for retirement. In his self-effacing way he looked after his patients with great care and kindness. He was an enthusiastic gardener and traveller, sharing those pleasures with his wife, Margaret, who survives him, and who kindly sent us the B.M.J. obituary on which this notice is based.
Edwin James Fish died 12 October 1995 aged 86. He came from Manchester Grammar School and at college he rowed and was Secretary of the Debating Society, Secretary and President of the Literary Society and College representative for the S.C.M. From 1932-34 he taught English and Drama at the English High School for Boys in Istanbul, before going on to Stockport School, where he spent most of his career. In the war he served as a F/Lt. (Intelligence Officer) in the Royal Air Force, Bomber Command. He returned to Stockport School in 1945, where he remained as master i/c History until he retired in 1970. He then moved to Malvern, where he did some teaching, was the chairman of a Probus Club, and lived a very active life until his last year. He is survived by his wife, Audrey; one of his three daughters, Mrs Hilary Potts, kindly sent us the information for this notice.
Peter Rathmell Fozzard died 6 January 1995 aged 60. He was born at Nottingham 21 February 1934 and went to Emmanuel School. He did his military service in the R.A.F. before coming to Downing to read English. On graduating in 1957 he took the post-graduate Teacher's Certificate and joined the first staff of the newly opened Holland Park Comprehensive School, eventually becoming Head of Department there. In 1970 he became a producer for B.B.C. Schools Radio and worked on a wide range of programmes, ranging from poetry for infants, to A-Level English courses. He also contributed programmes for Radios 3 and 4, and subsequently for Radio 5 Drama. He left the B.B.C. in the autumn of 1992. He also researched and organised exhibitions for the centenaries of Edward Gordon Craig (at Camden Arts Centre) in 1972, for Meyerhold (at the Festival Hall) in 1974 and for the reopening of the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith. For this obituary we are indebted to J.L. Evans (1952).
His Honour Bernard Benjamin Gillis, Honorary Fellow of the College, an Additional Judge at the Central Criminal Court, 1964-80, died 5 May 1996 aged 90. Born 11 August 1905, in London, the son of a rabbi and headmaster, originally Kyanski, he was educated at Nottingham High Pavement School and in Newcastle, before coming to Downing to read Law. He was called to the Bar at Lincoln's Inn in 1927 and joined the North Eastern Circuit. He tried unsuccessfully three times before he was thirty to enter Parliament as a Labour candidate. In the war he served in the R.A.F., on the operations staff at Northwood and Leuchars, followed by two years in Canada. He was demobilised with the rank of Squadron Leader. He took silk in 1954 and became Recorder of Bradford in 1959. In 1964 he was appointed a judge at the Old Bailey, and there he spent 16 years. In 1960 he was elected a bencher of Lincoln's Inn and was made treasurer of the Inn and an honorary fellow of Downing in 1976. He retired in 1980 and lived in Brighton, occasionally sitting in Crown Courts in Lewes, Chichester and in his home town. He achieved a national reputation, starting before the war when he did some broadcasting, and later for being the judge in many newsworthy trials in which he often dealt what some thought sympathetically to defendants, but he had the reputation of being a fair judge by any standards. He is survived by his wife, Jessica, and their son Michael (1953), who also read Law at Downing.
Clive Gower who taught for all of his career at Wrekin College, Shropshire, died 28 June 1995. He was born in Wales, 19 November 1930 and went to Neath County Grammar School before coming to Downing to read Geography. After graduation and the Teacher's Certificate, he went to become Head of the Geography Department at Wrekin and for 37 years was a vital figure in the life of the school. Apart from his long reign as Head of Geography, he was master i/c cricket for 28 years, master i/c rugby for 18 years, Director of Studies for 21 years, a Housemaster for almost 16 years and chairman of the Games Committee for fifteen years, for many of those years doing all these jobs at the same time. He retired from full-time teaching in 1988, but carried on doing part-time work. Hundreds of Old Boys and colleagues regret the passing of one who was a big man in every sense: in stature, in achievement, in friendship and in hospitality. Throughout his career he had the splendid support of his wife, Eileen, who kindly sent us material for an obituary and who, as his widow, has the support of their four sons and a daughter.
Michael Kenneth Hargreaves was born in Halifax on 27 April 1921 and retained a strong connection with Yorkshire all his life, although he lived in the south from an early age, and settled in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, in 1960.
He was educated at Cranleigh School and came to Downing in 1939 to read Natural Sciences. A heart condition prevented him from serving in the forces, and after several short-term posts in industry and schools, he joined Battersea College, London to work under Dr J. Kenyon, for a Ph.D. in Chemistry on a part-time basis, supporting himself meanwhile by teaching.
He joined ICI Blackley in 1949, but after some months an academic post was offered and he joined Bedford College, University of London, as an assistant lecturer. He moved to Queen Elizabeth College, University of London, as a lecturer in 1953 and in 1964 was appointed Head of the Chemistry Department at West Ham College of Technology, later the North East London Polytechnic. He was awarded the degree of D.Sc. by the University of London in 1960, and retired in 1980.
His research interests were in the field of physical organic chemistry and were mainly concerned with optical activity; a particularly elegant piece of work, with Dr B. Modarai, was the preparation in optically active form of a compound consisting of only five atoms. Most of his research students remained in touch with him for the rest of his life.
A highly practical person, he was ready to turn his hand to anything from making ingenious light fittings, to converting four crofters' cottages on the Isle of Islay in Scotland into an unusual holiday home.
He contributed to the local community as a governor of Beaconsfield School and a committee member of the local amenity society, but most memorably as Chairman of the Marylebone Travellers' Association, which fought successfully in 1970 and again in 1984 to keep Marylebone Railway Station open.
He died after a short illness on 29 February 1996.
In 1957 he married Dorothy Muriel Hall, a Reader in Chemistry at Bedford College, London; for many years they gave joint parties for their respective research students at their home in Beaconsfield. She and their son Neville, survive him. It is to his widow, Muriel, that we are indebted for this obituary.
Denys Antony Lyndon Lawrence, B.A. Trinity 1937, coach to many Downing oarsmen, died 6 September 1995. Andrew McTavish, Captain of Boats (1960-61) has written this tribute in grateful memory of him.
`If you rowed for Downing since 1960, then Denys Lawrence affected your life. To be precise, the effect started at three o'clock in the bar tent at Marlow Regatta, June 1960, which is when he walked into D.C.B.C.'s history. Many of us believe, too, that his efforts raised not only Downing's rowing, but the whole status of Downing as a power in the University.
In 1960 Downing was one of the lowest clubs on the Cam. There were one or two first boats below us and we languished in the Second Division of the Lents and Mays. We have had a Blue - one - McMichael in the nineteenth-century. We had six or seven VIIIs in the Mays 1960, a great club spirit, but no success and we had never had any. We were a bit of a joke in serious rowing circles. Not surprisingly, it was also difficult to obtain coaches at all and certainly no coach of quality would look at us.
We had no coach arranged when we went to Henley in 1960. The boat had risen three places in the Mays. It was now two below sandwich boat, so it was not a total disaster. But we had no coach. At Marlow Regatta Peter Mazzotti, our Captain of Boats, rushed up in some excitement. He reckoned he had found a coach. We were to meet this man at the beer tent at 3.00p.m.
From the first, we were in awe of Denys. He was a mature gentleman, ex-Trinity, with a depth of experience and a London cap. No-one like this had ever coached us before. It was a short introduction. We arranged to meet at Temple Island the next day when we rowed the boat from Marlow to Henley. And meet him we did, a lone figure on an empty bank as we easied, tired after our ten-mile paddle. His opening words to Downing were "Right chaps, we'll do a full course". It was a dramatic opening and some people might have resigned on the spot if they had not been in the middle of the river. But we did the course, and Denys met us in the boat tents and told us we had thought we were tired and we had still done a fair time on the watch. We were a rough crew, time was short, so we would have to be a fit crew. And we were caught by his spell.
He worked us. And almost immediately we knew him, we trusted him, we had a guru. We had faith in him and he gave us faith in ourselves. He appeared precisely on time, told us exactly what he wanted, worked us, and said goodbye at the end. I can't remember whom we rowed or who beat us, but it was a good Henley. We returned to college in September 1960 with new confidence. We had Denys. He managed to come up to do a little coaching for the Lents. We hardly even saw him off the river. We knew so little of him that we had no idea what he did as a profession. He just said he worked in London; in Aspects of Downing Life, he was said incorrectly, to be a member of the Stock Exchange. We won our oars in the Lents. Denys was a leader, a father figure, a confessor. He was interested and concerned with every member of the VIII, and was concerned that the officers of the club were concerned with every member of the other VIIIs. He could be very firm if he needed to be, very schoolmasterish, and when he was pleased, he radiated pleasure with a smile that spread from ear to ear. Part of his success lay in his stutter, his speech hiatus, for sometimes he could get caught on a word for some seconds. We would all wait in total, static silence, waiting for the word we all knew was coming, that the whole point, waiting and concentrating on it. That stutter gave him the initiative and gave us time to consider. And we worked ourselves into the ground for him. If we were early on the river and he turned up later, a thrill would go through the boat as his figure appeared and we would suddenly cover our puddles by another two, three, four feet. He was worth 20 seconds on a full course.
We bumped into the First Division of the Mays with my last race in 1961. That evening I stood on the table in Hall at the Bump Supper, radiant with excitement and beer: "We've made it at last. Now we go for Head". The Club greeted this with roars of laughter and bread rolls. Yes, you members of the 1996 1st VIII, I was being crazily optimistic. Downing for Head? A big joke! Afterwards, Denys was talking purposefully to Professor Guthrie, the Master. He was stressing the importance of keeping the Club going forwards. "When you are Head, you will have the pick of the Cambridge applicants" he was saying; he turned to me "It will happen, but it will take a few years". I wanted to believe him.
I went down. Denys stayed with Downing. I lost sight of the struggles for a time. Then, to my utter amazement, Downing were in striking distance of Head. And then I stood by a burning boat on Downing paddock in 1982 - twenty-one years later to the day. "I told you so" said Denys, his face shining in the light of the fire.
If ever a man proved a point, it was Denys. He took a keen, rough club and turned it into a rowing power. He proved he had a vision of rowing and a coaching technique that worked. The books on rowing he wrote latterly were written with the confidence of that experience. Denys had a wide circle of friends and great influence in and out of the rowing world. The church at Hambleden was jammed for his funeral and Downing's magenta was in a minority. But what a debt the College owes him. Those of us who were coached by him in those transforming years will never, never forget him.'
Professor Norman Bertram (Freddy) Marshall, F.R.S., was an eminent marine biologist, a world authority on life in the oceans. He won an Exhibition to Downing from the Cambridgeshire High School for Boys and read for the Natural Sciences Tripos. After Cambridge he joined the research team at University College, Hull and whilst there made several long trawler trips which reinforced his interest in marine life. In the war he took a commission in the Army and was part of the Operational Research Group. Seconded to the Falkland Islands Dependencies Survey, he at one time spent a whole year in Grahamsland. He was awarded the Polar Medal in 1953, and even had a mountain named after him! After the war he returned to Hull, but soon moved to become an Assistant Keeper in the Natural History Museum and in 1954 published his first book, Aspects of Deep Sea Biology. In 1966 he became Senior Principal Scientific Officer and in 1967-68 was visiting professor at the University of Miami, meanwhile publishing many papers, particularly on fishes living in the deepest levels of the oceans. In 1970 he was made a Fellow of the Royal Society and in 1971 published the world-renowned treatise `Explorations in the Life of Fishes'. In 1972 he left the British Museum to become Professor of Zoology and Comparative Physiology at Queen Mary College, London. He retired in 1977 to Saffron Walden, but kept up his writing and in 1979 published an extension of his Aspects of Deep Sea Biology, which is still the definitive work on the subject. He is survived by his wife, Olga, three daughters and a son.
Trevor Simpson Moss, M.A., Ph.D., Sc.D., F.Inst.P., was one of the leading authorities in the field of optical and opto-electronic properties of semi-conductors and on photo-conductivity. He died 23 March 1996, two months after a stroke. Born near Congleton in Cheshire, 28 January 1921, he was educated at Alleynes Grammar School, Uttoxeter, before coming to Downing when the war had just started. At College he was awarded an Exhibition and was cox of the 1st VIII. He took his B.A. in Engineering Sciences with First Class Honours and in 1941 took up his first post with the Royal Aircraft Establishment. Promoted to Scientific Officer he was posted to Malvern, to work in the Telecommunications Research Establishment on Electronic Countermeasures. During this period he had an honorary commission in the R.A.F., consulting on invasions in countermeasures warfare. On his return to Malvern, he started to work on the optical and infra-red properties of materials, in particular semi-conductors. In 1948 he returned to Cambridge for his Ph.D. and his thesis was the basis of one of the definitive books on
the optical properties of the elements. His project was transferred to the Royal Aircraft Establishment in 1953 and in 1958 he was awarded promotion to Senior Principal Scientific Officer. His researches in Cambridge,
Malvern and Farnborough, contributed greatly to the understanding and practical application of infra-red and photo-conductivity of semi-conductor compounds. One of his discoveries was the recognition of the relation between refractive index and the energy gap in a semi-conductor, known as the Moss Rule. In 1968 he became Head of the Radio Department at R.A.E.; ten years later he was promoted to Chief Scientific Officer and returned to Malvern as Deputy Director. After a severe heart attack he retired from the Scientific Civil Service in 1980, but continued writing books and editing journals about semi-conductors. Among his books were Photo-conductivity in the Elements, 1952, Optical properties of semi-conductors, 1959 and the editing of the four volume Handbook of Semi-Conductors, 1982-84, to which a fifth volume was added later. He published over 100 research papers, in about 70 of which he is sole or first-named author. In 1986 he was admitted to the degree of Sc.D.(Cantab). In 1978 he was awarded the Max Born Medal of the UK- and German Physical Societies and in 1988 the Denis Gabor award of the International Society of Optical Engineers. He was featured in Debrett's Distinguished People of Today, 1989 and Who's Who in the World, 1981. After retiring, and during his illness particularly, he was sustained by his religious faith, his love of classical music, wood-turning, family genealogy and, above all, by his wife of 48 years, Audrey, whom he married when he was at T.R.E. and she was the Librarian at the Radar Research and Development Establishment.
Henry (Hal) Iredale Nelson died 3 June 1996 at the age of 90. He was born in Keighley, Yorkshire, 3 February 1906, but his family moved and he went to Chesterfield Grammar School. He entered Downing as a State Scholar in 1924 and read Modern Languages. On graduating he moved further south and worked as a tutor in the Dorking and Guildford area. A year or two later he moved back to Cambridge to teach at what was then the Cambridge and County School. In 1943 he joined the R.A.F. and, loving and courting all things French, soon found himself with the Free French. He returned to France with them after the liberation and stayed there until he was demobilised. From then on he worked in various fields: publishing, a period of self-employed manufacturing with his wife, Muriel, and from 1959-70 with the chemical distributors Diversey as their advertising manager. He retired then to Bassingbourn, but after the death of his wife in 1972 he went to live in France with a friend until 1981. Then he came back to England, and in 1983 married Joan. During his last ten years he enjoyed doing warden duties at his beloved Wimpole Hall. Hal was one of the most courteous of men, with a ready smile and light words. He is survived by his wife, Joan, to whom we are indebted for this notice.
Ronald Jerome (Jerry) Owens died in August 1995. Born in Glasgow, the son of a civil servant who moved first to Wrexham and then to Wallasey, he went to Wallasey Grammar School. In 1940 he joined the R.A.F. straight from school and did pilot training in South Africa and Kenya. After the war he came to Downing to read English and on graduation started his wanderlust career teaching English at Markham College, Peru. For the next 40 years he had numerous appointments as a language teacher, `the most peripatetic professor I have ever met', as a Downing contemporary records. After a Headship in Peru, he was at the University of Liverpool 1956-58, completing his Ph.D. with his thesis `George Eliot's readers and critics'. Then for five years he lectured in English Literature at the University of the West Indies, Jamaica. In 1963 he joined the British Council as an English specialist, at first teaching for the Diploma in Applied Linguistics in the University of Edinburgh. This was followed by appointments in Lahore, Singapore, Khartoum, Bangkok, Madrid and Jakarta, before leaving the British Council to become for a short time the Principal of the Bell School of Languages in Cambridge. In 1982 he began his travels again, this time to Harare, and his last appointment, 1984-90, was as Assistant Professor in the University of East Asia at Macau. In 1990 he returned to Cambridge, but stayed only three years before moving to his last home, in Cape Province, South Africa. His contemporaries, Geoffrey Smith (1947) and Geoffrey Walls (1947) have written of his wonderful good humour, with `his open infectious laugh, accompanied by a lighting up of his face, especially expressive of a joy he felt in contemplating the absurd', and `the happy knack of bringing out the best in others'. He worked at keeping his friendships in repair and his wife, Janet, speaks of the many unsolicited tributes to Jerry that she received, `showing the range of impact and the intensity of the contact expressed by so many'. His affection for and gratitude to Downing were expressed in action before his death from cancer, by a substantial gift, which can be read of in the Bursar's article. He is survived by his wife, Janet, and by a son and two daughters from a previous marriage.
Andrew Gordon Speedie Pask, Professor of Cybernetics at Brunel University 1969-96, died in London, 29 March 1996. Born in Derby 28 June 1928, he went to Rydal School and also learned some geology before coming to Downing at the age of 21 to read Natural Sciences and to start on Medicine. His interdisciplinary interests, such as geology, theatrical production, scene-painting, writing lyrics and building computers in addition to his main science background made him ideal for his lifelong interest in the process of learning. Gordon Pask was exceptionally hard-working and productive, with several books and over 200 papers published. Two of his main works were Conversation, Cognition and Learning, 1975 and Conversation Theory: applications in education and epistemology, 1976. Many of his contributions still have influence today in several disciplines. In 1953 he was one of the two founders of `System Research Ltd', a non-profit organisation of which he was director of research for 30 years, with his teams doing research into every aspect of learning. From 1963 he was Professor of Cybernetics at Brunel University, where he was an inspiring teacher. He was visiting professor in a large number of universities and other institutions, and he set himself the task of building up an international group of cyberneticians. For some years he suffered from a severe and painful illness, but he retained his cheerfulness and his productivity. He last came to College in January 1995, a very sick man in a wheelchair, to receive the university's Sc.D. to add to his very many distinctions. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth and two daughters.
Thomas Peter Taylor, a Fellow of the Institute of Physics, died of cancer 29 February 1996. Born in Bradford 23 July 1920, he was at school at Stretford Grammar and Hanson High School Bradford, and came to Downing as a State Scholar to read Natural Sciences. A physicist, he spent all his working life in industry, his first appointment being with the English Electric Company in their laboratories in Bradford, where he eventually became Head of the Department. At this stage he moved on to traction and did work on trolley-buses, tramcars and diesel railway engines. Then he became involved in aerospace, and when E.E.C. was taken over by G.E.C., and the aerospace section sold to Joseph Lucas, he became Quality Engineer for Lucas Aerospace, at one time having some involvement with Concorde. At all stages of his career, he was a most caring champion of the staff of his department when he thought that management was being unfair. Eye problems caused him to take early retirement in 1978. He was happily married to his wife, Patricia, for over 47 years and they have one daughter. We are grateful to his wife for the information she gave us for this obituary. She tells us that the consultant who came to see him during his last illness was another Downing man, Dr R.F.U. Ashford (1965).
Neville Vincent died 7 July 1995, aged 78. He was a company chairman who combined his position with a very active socialism. Born in Liverpool, 30 August 1916, he went to school at Repton and came to Downing to read History, which he took to Part I, then transferring to Law Part II. He then spent seven years in the R.A.F. before beginning his legal career. He practised at the criminal bar for ten years, and as a result of his experiences took up his work on behalf of ex-prisoners, who had little hope of finding reasonable work. He also was one of the founders of Amnesty International, of which he was secretary and treasurer in its early days. He was responsible for the first home for battered women in West London and one in Liverpool. In business he was a director of Bovis from 1966 and chairman 1973-78, helping to turn it from a family business to an international company. He remained chairman until his death, even though P&O took the firm over in 1974. He was keen on sport, excellent company, with a great sense of humour, and he used his position to help in countless ways the more unfortunate members of society.
William Joseph Walsh, Professor of Commonwealth Literature in the University of Leeds (1972-84), died 23 June 1996 at the age of 80. Born 23 February 1916, he was educated at St Michael's College, Hitchin and the English College in Lisbon. He studied English at Downing under Leavis (who became his friend) and began his teaching career as senior English master at Raynes Park County Grammar School, meanwhile taking an M.A. in Education at London University part-time. He then moved to the University of North Staffordshire 1951-53, before going to Edinburgh as a lecturer in Education. From 1957-72 he was professor and head of the Department of Education at Leeds. He published regularly on literature and its place in a civilised society, and received particular favour for his work on Coleridge - The Work and the Relevance, 1967. Later he transferred his chief interest to the literature of the commonwealth and from 1970 published a series of essays on writers from India, Africa, the West Indies, Australasia and Canada. In 1972 he was appointed to the new chair of Commonwealth Literature in the School of English and during his six years' tenure published many works on such writers as Narayan, Naipaul, Patrick White and his friend from Downing, D.J. Enright (1938). A regular member of the senate at Leeds, on the point of retirement, he was asked to be acting Vice-Chancellor for two years on the death of Lord Boyle in 1981. He received an Honorary Degree of the university. He is survived by his wife, May, and a son and a daughter.
William Jackson Wolfe, O.B.E., died 19 November 1995. Born in Herne Hill, 31 January 1912, he was educated at Haileybury College and came to Downing to read Law. His barrister father wanted him to follow in his footsteps, and he did qualify for this, specialising in Trust and Tax Law. But he never really wanted to be a barrister and joined the Charity Commission, which occupied him for the rest of his working life. When war broke out, the Commission was evacuated to Morecambe, where, incidentally, Jack met the lady who many years later was to become his wife. He volunteered for the R.N.V.R., and spent most of his time in minesweepers. He was sent to U.S.A. to commission minesweepers under the lease-lend system and served with distinction in the Mediterranean and off the North African coast in charge of a flotilla. He was demobilised with the rank of Lt. Commander and went back to the Charity Commission, in which he rose to become Assistant Commissioner, earning an O.B.E. in 1963. He married Dorothy Gevers in 1965 and when he retired they eventually moved to Cowes, where Jack could renew his love of the sea as a member of the Royal Corinthian and Island sailing clubs. He also took up work raising funds for the Arthritis and Rheumatism Council, becoming secretary and then president. In his retirement he was handicapped by having hip replacements which were never very satisfactory, and at times he suffered considerable pain stoically. He had strong religious beliefs and was an active churchwarden in his local church. He was a great raconteur with a tremendous sense of humour and devilment. He came regularly to Association Annual Dinners. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy, who kindly made available the details of his career for this notice.
We have also been sorry to learn of the deaths of: W.W. Cashmore (1929); M.L. Clark (1961); A.W.T. Cleaver (1948); N. Crocker (1953); J.E. Fowler (1931); Mgr. B. Gilmore (1956); H.G. Griggs (1956); T.J.T. Metcalf (1953); G.R.C. Rayner (1924).
The Patron
H.R.H. The Duchess of Kent G.C.V.O.
The Master
David Anthony King, M.A., Sc.D.(East Anglia), F.R.S.
The Fellows (in order of election)
John Alan Hopkins, M.A., LL.B., University Lecturer in Law.
Martin Joshua Mays, M.A., Ph.D. (Senior Tutor) University Lecturer in Organic and Inorganic Chemistry.
Robert John Richards, Ph.D. (Assistant Tutor for Admissions and Tutor for Graduates). University Lecturer in Engineering.
Philip Huson Rubery, Sc.D. University Lecturer in Biochemistry.
Stephen George Fleet, M.A., Ph.D. Registrary of the University.
Barry John Everitt, B.Sc. (Hull), M.A., Ph.D. (Birm.), University Reader in Neuroscience.
Charles Harpum, M.A., LL.B. University Lecturer in Law.
Paul Frederick Linden, Ph.D. University Reader in Geophysical Fluid Dynamics.
Charles Nicholas Hales, Ph.D., M.D., F.R.S. Professor of Clinical Biochemistry.
Charles Porter Ellington, B.A. (Duke), M.A., Ph.D. University Lecturer in Zoology.
Barry Charles Moore, M.A. University Assistant Director of Research in Land Economy.
Peter James Duffett-Smith, M.A., Ph.D. (Administrative Computer Officer) University Lecturer in Physics.
Peter David Evans, Sc.D. (Tutor) Fellow in Physiology.
Richard James Stibbs, M.A. (Praelector) University Senior Computer Officer.
David Andrew Blackadder, B.Sc. (Edin.), M.A., D.Phil(Oxon) (Vice-Master and Bursar).
Paul Christopher Millett, M.A., Ph.D. (Tutor for Admissions) University Lecturer in Classics.
William Mark Adams, M.A., M.Sc.(Lond), Ph.D. University Lecturer in Geography.
Richard John Bowring, M.A., Ph.D. Professor of Modern Japanese Studies.
Trevor William Clyne, M.A., Ph.D. (Dean) University Reader in Materials Science and Metallurgy.
Ian Bonar Topping, M.A. (Domestic Bursar).
Catherine Lynette Phillips, B.A.(Queen's), M.A.(Toronto), Ph.D. (Tutor) Fellow in English.
Graham John Virgo, M.A., B.C.L.(Oxon) (Tutor) Assistant University Lecturer in Law.
John Stuart Landreth McCombie, M.A.(McMaster), M.A., Ph.D. (Tutor) University Lecturer in Economics (Department of Land Economy).
Martin David Maiden, M.A., M.Phil., Ph.D. (Tutor) University Lecturer in Romance Philology.
Philip Mark Rust Howell, B.A. Ph.D. (Archivist) University Lecturer in Geography.
David John Wales, M.A., Ph.D. Royal Society Research Fellow in Chemistry.
Phyllis Chadwick Lee, B.A.(Stanford), Ph.D. (Tutor) University Lecturer in Biological Anthropology.
Trevor William Robbins, M.A., Ph.D. University Reader in Experimental Psychology.
Jonathan Henry Scott, B.A.(Wellington), Ph.D. Fellow in History.
Sarah Jane Bray, B.A., M.Phil., Ph.D. Lecturer in Anatomy.
Bruce Richard Lawrence Kinsey, M.A., B.D., M.Th.(London) (Chaplain).
Margery Ann Barrand, B.Sc., Ph.D.(London) Fellow in Pharmacology. (Assistant Tutor for Graduates).
Stafford Withington, B.Eng.(Brad), Ph.D.(Manchester) Senior Research Associate in Physics.
Christopher Allim Haniff, M.A., Ph.D. (Senior Treasurer of the Amalgamation Club) Royal Society Moseley Research Fellow.
Jonathan Mark Hall, M.A.(Oxon), Ph.D. Research Fellow in Ancient History.
Peter Henry Gray, B.A., Ph.D. British Academy post-Doctoral Fellow in Modern British and Irish History.
Katharine Amanda Robson Brown, Ph.D., M.A. Research Fellow in Biological Anthropology.
Richard Michael Smith, B.A.(London), M.A.(Oxon), Ph.D., F.B.A. (Steward) University Lecturer in History.
Nicholas Coleman, B.Sc., M.B., Ch.B.(Bristol), Ph.D. University Lecturer in Pathology.
Hans Stegmann Keirstead, B.Sc.(Vancouver), Ph.D.(British Columbia).
Dimitrios Gatzouras, M.Sc., Ph.D.(Purdue).
The Honorary Fellows
The Rt. Rev. Leslie Wilfred Brown, C.B.E., Hon.M.A.
Giles Skey Brindley, M.D., F.R.S.
Sir Christopher Sydney Cockerell, C.B.E., M.A., F.R.S.
Sir Francis Graham Smith, M.A., Ph.D., F.R.S.
David Rees, Sc.D., F.R.S.
Derek William Bowett, C.B.E., Q.C., M.A., R.B.A., LL.D.
Sir Arnold Stanley Vincent Burgen, M.A., F.R.S.
Donald Henry Northcote, Sc.D., F.R.S.
Sir John Cyril Smith, Q.C., F.B.A., LL.D.
Sir Alan Bowness, C.B.E., M.A.
Sir Robert Yewdall Jennings, Q.C., M.A., LL.D.
Sir Richard John Harrison, M.D., D.S.C., F.R.S.
William Austyn Mair, C.B.E., M.A.
John Chadwick, Litt.D., F.B.A.
Arthur Taylor Von Mehren, B.S., LL.B., Ph.D., D. Juris (Hon.)
Dame Janet Abbott Baker, C.B.E., M.A., Hon. Mus.D.
Alan Norman Howard, M.A., Ph.D., F.R.I.C.
Professor Lord Butterfield, O.B.E., M.D., F.R.C.P.
Peter Mathias, D.Litt., C.B.E., F.B.A.
The Emeritus Fellows
Harry Patrick Shallard, O.B.E., M.A.
James Norman Birch, M.A.
David Kenneth Holbrook, M.A.
Alfred Thomas Grove, M.A.
Patrick Lea Carter, M.A., Ph.D.
The Associate Fellows
Julian Jeffs, Q.C., M.A.
Baroness Phyllis Dorothy James, O.B.E., J.P.
Fellow Commoners
Timothy Rawle, M.A.
Colin William Hill, M.A.
The Directors of Studies
Archaeology and Anthropology Dr P.C. Lee
Classics Dr P.C. Millett
Computer Science Mr R.J. Stibbs
Economics & Land Economy Dr J.S.L. McCombie
Engineering Dr R.J. Richards
English Dr C.L. Phillips
Geography Dr P.M.R. Howell
History Dr J.H. Scott
Law Mr J.A. Hopkins
Law Mr G.J. Virgo (Assistant)
Mathematics Dr P.F. Linden
Mathematics for Natural Sciences Dr D.J. Wales
Medical Sciences Dr B.J. Everitt
Modern Languages Dr M.D. Maiden
Natural Sciences (Physical) Dr T.W. Clyne
Natural Sciences (Chemistry) Dr M.J. Mays
Natural Sciences (Biological) Dr S.J. Bray
Natural Sciences (Physics) Dr P.J. Duffet-Smith
Theology and Religious Studies Revd B.R.L. Kinsey
The Master, Professor David King, came to us with a distinguished academic career which, despite the heavy commitments of a Head of House and
Head of Department (and a busy family life), has continued unabated. He published 25 papers over the year, delivered ten invited lectures in the U.S.A, Spain, France, India, Switzerland and the U.K. He was elected to the Visiting Miller Research Professorship at the University of California at Berkeley for 1995-96 and spent two weeks there in April 1996. He took up office as Chairman of the Research Awards Advisory Committee of the Leverhulme Trust and has served as external assessor for chairs at Aarhus and Jyväskycä.
Charles Harpum continues his weekday exile in London as a Law Commissioner. He has addressed the Society of Public Teachers of Law on two occasions on `The Reform of Property Law', the Law Society Annual Conference on `The Incidence of Cohabitation and Proposals for Reform', the Chancery Bar Association's Workshop on `The Reform of the Law of Cohabitation' and chaired the first session of the inaugural Conference of the Centre for Property Law at Reading University (where he is a member of the Board of Management). He has continued his travels worldwide with a Christmas trip to Sri Lanka and a working visit to Tanzania. He has also assisted the Lord Chancellor's Department with the passage through Parliament of the Landlord and Tenant (Covenants) Act 1995 and is presently doing the same for the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Bill.
Dr Peter Duffett-Smith has continued to combine his academic career in Radio Astronomy with his mission to make computational astronomy available to amateurs of astronomy with the publication by C.U.P. of Easy PC Astronomy. He is also heavily involved with the commercialising of research in the University (an activity which becomes of greater importance as governmental funding continues to be squeezed). He is a Director of Cambridge Positioning System Ltd, which exists to develop Peter's unique positioning system. He expects that this technology will enable users (for example) of digital mobile phones to get access to their position within a few metres.
Professor Nick Hales continues his distinguished role as Head of the Department of Clinical Biochemistry. In addition to the publication of 11 papers, he has addressed meetings and conferences worldwide, in particular on the subject of Diabetes. He was awarded the Royal College of Physicians Baly Medal in 1995, an award made in alternate years to `. . . the person deemed to have most distinguished himself in the science of physiology, especially during the previous two years'.
It is always with mixed emotions of pride in achievement and sadness of the loss to the College that we greet the news of our members being offered important chairs outside Cambridge. This applies to three Fellows this year. Dr Martin Maiden will be remembered with affection as he leaves to take up the chair in Romance Languages at Oxford and a Fellowship at Trinity. He will be missed for his tutorial skills, his incisive intellect and for being thoroughly collegial.
Early in the year we lost Dr Hugo Tucker to the chair in French at Reading. Hugo was Director of Studies in Modern Languages and also Librarian and we shall miss his dedication in both tasks. We wish Ingrid and him well especially in September at the birth of their first child.
Dr Alan Cocks left in the Lent Term to return to a chair in Leicester.
Professor Richard Bowring continues his British Academy Readership until next year. He has made his annual visit to Japan and has published The Diary of Lady Murasaki, Penguin Classics, 1996.
Dr Bill Adams has also published a new book, Future Nature: a vision for conservation, Earthscan, 1996. He has embarked on a new project (led by Professor David Hulme of Manchester University; a Downing man from 1971) on Community Conservation in five African countries.
Dr Bill Clyne is publishing An Introduction to Composite Materials with
D. Hull, C.U.P., this summer.
Dr Cathy Phillips gave the third annual Hopkins lecture to the Welsh Hopkins Society in St Asaph's cathedral, and has edited W.B. Yeats' The Hour-Glass: the Manuscript Materials in the Cornell Yeats Series and Gerald Manley Hopkins: Selected Poems, Oxford Poets series.
Graham Virgo has published a number of articles including Seeking the Balance in the Law of Restitution, L.M.C.L.Q. 1995, When is Consent not Consent? (when it is initiated by mistake), Archbold's News 6, 1995, and Reconstituting the Law of Restitution, Trust Law International, 1996.
Dr Jonathan Scott gave a paper entitled Classical Republicanism in Seventeenth Century Europe in Göttingen in April and published The Peace of Silence: Thucydides and the English Civil War in a Festschrift The Certainty of Doubt: Tributes to Peter Munz.
Dr Trevor Robbins has published widely this year and has taken on significant new responsibilities as Chairman of the Neurosciences and Mental Health Board of the M.R.C. He has been elected to the Council of the European Neuroscience Association. With Dr Angela Roberts, he organised the Discussion Meeting of the Royal Society on Executive and Cognitive Functions of the Prefrontal Cortex. Last July he travelled to a Kyoto conference organised by the International Brain Research Organisation and he took the opportunity to visit Keio as a guest of Professor Tsutomu Takeuchi. Trevor has also been an important member of the college Chess Team, which performed well in Division 1 of Cuppers.
We congratulate Dr Jonathan Hall on his appointment as Assistant Professor of Greek History at the Departments of History and Classics, University of Chicago from October 1996. He published Approaches to ethnicity in the Early Iron Age of Greece in Time, Tradition and Society in Greek Archaeology, London 1994, How Argive was `Argive' Heraion? The political and cultic geography of the Argive Plain, 900-400 B.C., American Journal of Archaeology 99, 1995, The role of language in Greek ethnicities, Proceedings of the Cambridge Philological Society 41, 1995 and Achaian poleis and Achaian colonisation with Catherine Morgon in Acts of the Copenhagen Polis Centre 3, 1996. He is working on his book to be published by the C.U.P., Ethnic identity in Greek antiquity.
Congratulations are also due to Dr Peter Gray, who leaves us to go to his lectureship in History at Southampton University in October. It is a tribute to the high academic quality of our research fellows that other institutions so poach them from us before the limit of their tenure. Peter was joint organiser of a symposium on The Irish famine and Migration in Queens' College early this year. He was also adviser and participant in a four-part documentary on the Irish Famine for R.T.E. broadcast in the Autumn on 1995 and on Irish migration to America for U.S. television. He published The Irish Famine, Thames and Hudson, 1995 (also published in French). He is working on Famine, Corn and Politics: British government and Irish society 1843-1850 for the Irish Academic Press and has contributed articles to the Oxford Companion to Irish History.
We have been very grateful to Dr Richard Smith who took over as Steward at the beginning of the year. However, our delight in his promotion during the year to a Readership in Historical Demography, was tinged with some dismay as it means that he will have to relinquish the Stewardship at the end of the academic year. During the year he has given papers in Mexico City, Montreal, Prato and Amsterdam and has also served on the Wellcome Trust Review panel of the Wellcome Institute for the History of Medicine.
Joining the Fellowship this year was Dr Hans Keirstead. He took his Ph.D. in Neurobiology from the University of British Columbia, Canada, where his research included development of immunological methods (for which a patent was filed) to evoke regeneration of the injured central nervous system. The highlight of this research was the development and application of a treatment which evoked anatomical and physiological (functional) regeneration of injured spinal cord; this constituted the first demonstration of regeneration following spinal cord injury in an adult. As a result of this research, he was awarded several Canadian Fellowships and awards (including the Cameron Award for the best thesis in Canada, granted by the Canadian Zoological Society). He is an executive member (Vice-President and International Director) of HMI- Management Inc., a federally-chartered, not-for-profit health management organisation and is also an Advisory Faculty Member of Phytotherapy Inc., a federally-chartered phytopharmacology institution. As light relief, and as a Tae Kwon Do black belt, he instructs in the sport.
Dr Millett gave the Annual Hellenic Society Lecture in London on the Athenian Agora; he also gave the concluding address at an International Conference at Delphi on Ancient and Modern Economics. In his capacity of Admissions Tutor he is acquiring an encyclopaedic knowledge of the country's railway system (and also of its schools).
Dr Chris Haniff has continued his vigorous astronomical research programme with nine publications this year, and visits to Germany, Holland, New Mexico and Berkeley. This March he was a joint organiser of the European Southern Observatory workshop on Science with the V.L.T. Interferometer in Munich. More recently, with colleagues at the Cavendish Laboratory, he was responsible for a display at The Royal Society's New Frontiers in Science exhibition, describing his work on Building the world's largest telescope.
On 17 December 1995, more than sixty people met in the Howard Building at Downing for a reception to honour the Geographer A.T. Grove. Dick is an Emeritus Fellow of the College, and was formerly, Senior Tutor and Vice Master. This meeting was an opportunity for former students and colleagues to meet Dick again and to mark their affection and respect for him, and their appreciation of his work.
Dick Grove was appointed as a Lecturer in the Department of Geography in 1954, and a Fellow of Downing College in 1963. Through his work in teaching undergraduates and graduates, through his research (particularly on climatic change), and through his other activities, Dick's influence on individuals, and on the wider world of Geography within and outside Cambridge, has been enormous. In recognition of this, a group of editors had prepared a volume of essays, many of them by his former students, on The Physical Geography of Africa. The book is dedicated to Dick, and its existence (despite four years of preparation) came as a complete surprise to him, as did the nature of the gathering in Downing, thanks in no small measure to Jean Grove's willingness to conspire with the organisers. An advanced copy of this book was presented to Dick at the reception, and everybody then repaired to the Hall for lunch and the chance to talk and reminisce.
Dick's own research on Africa has addressed some of the key issues of recent decades. He has been a pioneer in the study of past climates, particularly though exploration of geomorphological evidence of Pleistocene atmospheric circulation patterns in the form of dune systems (to study former wind patterns) and fossil lake shores (from which a picture of former precipitation may be derived). This kind of research is fundamental to the current explosion of scientific concern about global climatic change. Dick, however, has not only been interested in environmental change for its intrinsic scientific interest, but has also been at pains to explore the interface between people and environment. Dick was working on the question of dryland degradation long before `desertification' became a buzzword, and in his text books (starting with Africa South of the Sahara, and most recently The Changing Geography of Africa) he has created a regional geography that is of enduring value.
Many of the chapters of The Physical Geography of Africa have been written by people Dick either taught or examined or supported in their careers. Repeatedly they have drawn on his own research in their accounts of geomorphology, biogeography or environmental management in Africa. Dick himself, meanwhile, has vigorously maintained his research interests and research output into retirement. Through a series of research programmes funded by the European Union, he has moved increasingly to consider the critical question of environmental change in the Mediterranean, particularly on the island of Crete.
The Physical Geography of Africa is now published by Oxford University Press. For those who want to know more, there is, within its twenty-one chapters and 429 pages, an appreciation of Dick Grove's work and rather a lot of information about Africa*.
W.M. Adams
I knew when I first saw the back-garden of 34 Lensfield Road when I arrived in my flat in Cambridge on a frigid Friday in early January, that I would be happy here. Despite its rather forlorn aspect in that dismal season. I recognised the promise of an astonishing renaissance in the spring, and I must say that my impressions of Downing College were very similar. At first I felt a bit awkward and isolated, but slowly became accustomed to the place and soon discovered what to me will always be my most enduring impression of Downing: an intellectual community defined by an engaging, affable fellowship of interesting and highly distinguished scholars and thinkers.
As an art historian, a discipline with strong historical roots in a wide variety of humanistic fields of study, I was especially pleased to be able to meet scholars from almost every academic discipline and discuss topics of mutual interest without ever having to leave the grounds of the College. My research was aided in very material ways by the help of colleagues in classics, history and romance languages, all of whom were genuinely interested in my work and who graciously shared their expertise. The interdisciplinarity of the fellowship is its greatest strength, and I found it a refreshing change from the rigid departmental divisions that characterise American universities, including my home institution, the University of Virginia. Indeed, the intellectual exchange among scholars of differing perspectives facilitated in Cambridge's colleges is an advantage to the institution as a whole and could be emulated to advantage elsewhere.
Six months in Cambridge have given me several vivid impressions of the place and a hint about how it all works, but only a hint. In many ways, Cambridge is a curious and even a perplexing place. Rich in traditions and historical associations (especially to an American, even one from our oldest and most venerable state), I have taken delight in trying to figure it out, and I am pleased to report that I have not succeeded. To me, much of Cambridge's mystique lies in the fact that it does not readily reveal itself to outside scrutiny.
While much of my experience in Cambridge has been a bit baffling and foreign, I have felt at home in Downing, thanks to the kind attentions and warm welcome I have received. And architecturally speaking, I felt myself to be in my element. As an historian of neoclassical culture, I have always been fascinated by Downing College, and the imposing regularity and sedate dignity of Wilkins's design was followed in many particulars by Thomas Jefferson, the architect and founder of the University of Virginia, so the setting seemed familiar even in so foreign a place. I do not hesitate to confess the rather heterodox opinion that I much prefer Downing to the fantastic (and often bizarre) Gothic excess of some of the more widely admired Cambridge Colleges, although I have greatly enjoyed exploring their gateways, courtyards and chapels. And the splendour of the Fitzwilliam Museum's collections has been an unfailing source of instruction and delight. My fellowship at Downing College has been an absolutely brilliant experience for me, both professionally and personally, and I hope to have the opportunity to return a small portion of the hospitality I have enjoyed here to some Downing Fellow who may come to Virginia. I return to Virginia with fond memories of my time here, and I am anxious to share my experiences with the next fortunate recipient of the Thomas Jefferson Fellowship.
Christopher M.S. Johns
Four searchlights are illuminating the low clouds which are shredded by explosions of green, red and yellow. A May Ball is in progress, exams are forgotten but one Downing student is watching and wrestling with a dissertation involving Bomber Command. The experience possibly verges on the surreal, but certainly captures the essence of life at Downing and Cambridge; independence of action and thought.
A graduate year at Cambridge for a serviceman starts with a daunting and moderately stressful attempt to convince four senior officers, a civil servant and an academic that he deserves the chance. My previous university career was, by 1995, a distant memory of concrete and steel at U.E.A. Lacking a college to return to, perhaps fortunately given some best forgotten undergraduate antics, I could fortunately canvass the opinions of those who had preceded me at Cambridge. Downing featured prominently. A glorious site and friendly atmosphere ; there seemed little point in looking elsewhere and October found me passing through the main gates for a second bite at the academic cherry.
Servicemen are creatures of habit and not a little institutionalised. It was therefore interesting to speculate on what lifestyle I would be looking forward to, particularly as the college seemed to be populated exclusively by impossibly young people wearing clothes I would not garden in. Add possession of a letter from the Master informing me that I have been elected a `Fellow Commoner' for the year and the security blanket of twenty years of military life was somewhat shredded. The chance to dine with the Fellows appeared to be principal amongst the privileges afforded to a Fellow Commoner. Selecting the appropriate cutlery held few terrors, but a first degree taken twenty years earlier seemed poor preparation for the cut and thrust after dinner. Still, the Service has an answer for everything. Pretend they are all Air Marshals, keep quiet, smile a lot and agree with them - perfect. Not quite, it was rapidly apparent that the fellow commoner system is about a lively exchange of opinion and experience. Contribution is required. Happily the Downing Fellows proved to have a sense of humour, a love of debate, a healthy dislike of anything stuffy and a killer instinct at croquet!
Life was not all gowns and fine wine though. I type this, the last occupant of a hostel that was until recently home to seven undergraduate girls. After living out for two terms I joined them as the hostel keeper. I was uneasy. They could not have cared less. Age and background are quickly glossed over; its `will Downing "go ahead" in the May Bumps?' that seems to matter more. Waiting for the shower still seemed like an eternity though.
The thesis deadline is now the focus of life; the timing seems perfect as only the graduate students are left, quiet reigns and there is a unity of purpose. It is all going to end too soon, though, this uncommon year.
Wing Commander Steven Abbot
Sidney King, known to generations of Downing members, died in Cambridge on 23 June 1996 aged 92. Sidney joined the College staff in 1917 as a pantry boy and in the Hall and Buttery gradually worked his way up the ladder until he gained the highest post he could reach: for thirty years he was College Butler, playing a leading role in the organisation of a great number of dinners and feasts. He was particularly proud of his role in the running of many May Balls over 40 years, meeting royalty and many of the big bands of the time. He had the task of coping with the service of meals to an enormously increased number of College members after the Second World War, with no increase in space or facilities available. He presided with a firm, at times autocratic, hand over the old College buttery and wine cellar before the reconstruction of 1966. Many old members would call at the buttery for a chat with Sidney on their return to the College and could always be certain of an engaging and entertaining conversation. The only break in his work at Downing came during the war, when he was in the army, suitably employed running a senior officers' mess in Belgium.
He had the clearest memory of College life back to the days of his first Master, Albert Seward. He first worked under the tutelage of T. Bond, a demanding man who had been known to sweep tableware and glasses from a table on to the floor if it had not been set properly by his staff. Undergraduates then dressed for dinner, and attendance was compulsory. This was the highlight of the butler's day. Other meals were not served in Hall, but could be ordered and delivered to rooms. The sight of kitchen porters with trays on their heads, carrying breakfasts and lunches to College rooms or even to lodgings across Parker's Piece was a familiar one. Sidney also recalled the summer breaks (long superseded by the College conference season) in which the staff were paid off, leaving them free to work in hotels on the Norfolk and Suffolk coasts.
The other chief interest in his life, particularly after he retired, was the growing of vegetables on his allotment, which he did brilliantly, providing his neighbours in Glebe Road with a regular supply. In his youth he married Lily, the maid to Professor Hazeltine and his wife in West Lodge. They had a son, but he died tragically and after Lily, his wife of 66 years, died a few years ago, he became very lonely and depended on the friendship of a neighbour, Tom Page-Croft, and, of course, his Downing memories.
Sidney kept in touch with the College throughout his long retirement, regularly coming to watch the Staff v Fellows cricket match (for he loved his sport), and was seen most recently as the senior staff member present at the staff Christmas Dinner in 1995. His loyalty and dedication to the College were unsurpassed. His reminiscences were detailed and a fascination to more recent generations. Older members will remember him as a loyal and clear-minded College character who set himself high standards and was sympathetic to undergraduate life. His death breaks a link with College of over 75 years. He will be greatly missed.
Further to the obituary published in last year's News Letter, we have received this additional note from Barrie Jones (1965):
`Two important features of John Todd's contribution to College life should not be forgotten. He was Vice-President of the College Music Society and one of its most stalwart supporters for many years, rarely missing a Sunday evening concert in the Music Room. Invariably arriving five minutes late - which in the more relaxed mid-sixties mattered not at all - the performers knew that the audience was then complete and the concert might commence. He must have heard dozens of performances, good, bad and indifferent, but never was he known to make any adverse criticism. He was also an assiduous worshipper in the College chapel when it was rather more fashionable for both junior and senior members of the College to be so. On a more personal note, my third year was spent in D1, directly below the "Toddery". On one occasion John Todd started to run a bath and forgot that he had done so. When water appeared through the ceiling on to my (hired) piano, I realised that a crisis might be in the offing. Too shy to climb the stairs to complain, I visualised a collapsing ceiling, oceans of water cascading down into the newly-refurbished room and a ruined piano that did not belong to me. Happily the crisis soon passed, and I think that neither Millers Music Shop nor the College authorities were any the wiser. Needless to say, neither was John Todd.'
Its been an interesting year for the Chapel. The Sunday Morning Eucharist followed by breakfast in S1 is our main service and continues to be popular. Choral Evensong on Sundays has had a range of preachers, including representatives from Buddhism, Islam and Judaism amongst many others. Yet again our most crowded service was an excellent Advent Carol Service.
In the Michaelmas Term Compline and Crumpets on Wednesday night was matched by Earth, Wind and Fire in Lent Term, which was an `open, laid back and liberal discussion' on issues of life and faith with a veggie meal. In the Easter Term we enjoyed a break in the stress of term with Port in a Storm, watching videos such as The Life of Brian, Priest and Wallace and Gromit trilogy over a relaxing drink . . .
We welcomed the Revd Canon Christine Farrington to preside at the morning Eucharist in October.
Our annual pancake race on Shrove Tuesday was won by a Downing member leading a visiting team from St Edmund's College.
This year we have had another ordinard on placement, this time from the East Anglian Ministerial Training Course, Trisha Duffett-Smith. She has made a significant contribution to our life here and we have enjoyed having her husband, Peter, with us too.
Its been good to see former students return to our services, or to get married, or have relationships blessed. We've had some great celebrations.
Captain - Sam Routledge 2nd Team: Captain - Angela Middlemiss
Secretary - Lu- Barrett
It's been another excellent season for DCWAFC. We narrowly missed promotion to the 1st division (again!) and built on last year's victory in the plate competition to reach the semi-finals of Cuppers.
The league took place in Michaelmas Term. Our aim was to finish in the top two and thus gain promotion to the 1st division. We got off to a great start with a 7-1 victory over Churchill, including goals from Anne Woods, a new recruit from the 1st year, and Fiona Robson, a returning 4th year linguist. This was quickly followed by a 5-0 victory over Emmanuel, in which Sarah Hughes made her scoring debut, and a 4-0 thrashing of Queens'. Our next match was a top of the table clash against New Hall. We held them to 0-0 until half-time, but the arrival of their star player after a cross-country race helped them to a 3-0 victory. Selwyn gave us a walkover, but an unlucky defeat against Fitzwilliam left us needing a victory over Trinity Hall in our last match of the season. Unfortunately, despite sterling performances from all involved, and a guest appearance by Sarah Parry-Jones in goal, we were not match for the Trinity Hall goalkeeper; the 0-0 draw left us in 3rd place, 1 point behind promotion.
Lent Term brought Cuppers with us seeded 7th. Our first round match against St John's was nailbiting. Claire Maxwell slotted a 1st half goal, only for them to draw level in the 2nd half. No score in extra time meant we had to go to penalties. Jenny Langrish (our captain), Anne Woods and Anya Oakes all scored theirs, but the 1st three John's players all missed (possibly intimidated by our American import - goalkeeper Heather Goldstein). Christ's gave us no such problems in the 2nd round. A hat trick by Jenny and goals from Claire and Anne gave us a 5-0 victory. Thanks go the Master and his family for their support. The quarter-final matched us once more against Trinity Hall. A goal by Anne Woods near the end of the match sealed our place in the semi-finals against Girton - the favourites. The scoreline was too bad to mention (although they didn't reach double figures), but to reach the last 4 out of 42 teams entering the tournament is a great achievement.
Other superb performances throughout the year came from Marie Milmore, Lu Barrett (the incoming secretary) and the often impenetrable defence of Lyndsey Munro, Sam Routledge, Charlotte Metzger, Janet Danzinger and Anya Oakes. Thanks also go to Maike Heining who was occasionally called up from the 2nds in the case of injury.
We're sorry to lose Marie, Claire, Janet, Fiona and Charlotte who are graduating this year, but hopefully another good intake of 1st years will help us to gain the promotion we deserve.
Thanks go to Ker Kitchin for refereeing, Martin the Porter for his continued support despite his hip operation, and the Master and his family for continuing to cheer even when Girton were well ahead.
Jenny Langrish is stepping down as captain, to take over as CUWAFC captain for next year. Many thanks to her for doing a PGCE so she's still around to play for us next year!!
Captains: - James Trapmore, Claire Maxwell
College Athletics is a bizarre affair, centring on the one-day extravaganza that is Cuppers, an event which, scheduled in post-season, usually-raining mid-October, consistently fails to capture the University's imagination. It is, nevertheless, enormously good fun and victory goes, more often than not, to the college who can field as many athletes as possible. A slightly undermanned Downing squad scored victories on the field through newcomers Finlay Edridge and Matt Broomhall and, on the track, through Steve Parker, Olly Wild,- Rick Pendlebury and James Titmus. Welcome contributions, too, from Huw Davies, Steve Sumner, Tom Jenkins, Mark Armitage and Charlie Vivian, helped push us towards a respectable sixth out of the twenty-five colleges that took part.
Downing also contributed significantly to athletics at University level. At the Varsity match, Claire Maxwell achieved full Blue status for her performance in the 3000m, while the Men's Blues team was graced by Finlay Edridge (Triple Jump), Adam Carney (3000m walk) and Steve Parker (110m hurdles). James Trapmore ran the 800 and 1500m, becoming, in the latter event, one of the very few Cambridge winners on a day dominated by the Dark Blues. There is, however, sufficient promise at the collegiate level of Cambridge athletics - especially at Downing - that such dominance can be challenged in the future.
Captain - Jon Rowland
Team - James Polansky, Neil Spencer, Leo Vicars, Alan Goh, David Crosby, Sanjay Mahtani
Downing basketball is not particularly well supported and this season was rather mediocre. The only high point being the reaching of the second round of the Cuppers competition, before, unfortunately, having to forfeit the next match because we did not have a full team. We lose several members from the team as they graduate. Thanks go to James Polansky, the previous captain, and the existence of the team next year will depend on the interest of new first years. Hopefully, we will get a few interested with some talent.
However, the standard of the team is never likely to soar, with the total lack of any facilities in college to practice on.
Captain - Justin Buckland
Secretary - Charles Tavner
At the beginning of the year, the 1st VIII finishing coach said: `The purpose of this club is to go Head of the May Bumps'. On the Friday of the May Bumps DCBC achieved that aim, bumping Trinity Hall to regain the headship lost
in 1992. The hard work throughout the year by both those rowing for university crews and for Downing, paid off by producing a squad with strength in depth, and a fast crew. Earlier in the term, the 1st VIII- beat The Lea at Senior 1 level in a strong performance at Peterborough Regatta. The headship was matched by some impressive bridge painting, with a number of the 4th VIII being arrested for their efforts.
The generous gift of a boat (a Filippi) has made a very considerable difference to the club: the head crew had an excellent boat (doubts about the cornering ability were swiftly dispelled on the Wednesday of the May Bumps, when- Downing caught Jesus just past Ditton Corner). The 2nd, 3rd and 4th VIIIs have also benefited from better equipment. There were strong performances throughout the club: the 3rd VIII won their oars, bumping on each day and the 4th VIII also went up four places. The 2nd VIII kept their position, narrowly failing to bump LMBC II on the Saturday of the May Bumps.
Earlier in the year, Downing went to Paris with New College, Oxford to race - several of the crew still go pale at the sight of a can of Grolsch. In spite of this, DCBC retained the Lent Headship, with Dave Brandt stepping in at the last minute to replace Chris Pierce, who was struck down by illness: the 2nd VIII hold the highest 2nd boat position. The annual trip to Lyons followed, with the perpetual Barcelona-Cambridge feud still running.
DCBC had representatives in each of the men's university crews, with Nobby Waller smiling as he passed Emanuel School boathouse in the Blue boat and Roger `Nice but Pim' in Goldie, Tom Middleton, Edwin Truesdale and Charlie Tavner all rowed for CULRC, putting Oxford in their place in Atlanta.
Sponsorship by Mitchell Madison Group is coming up for renewal and DCBC are putting forward a proposal to include more publicity for our sponsors and (hopefully) money for DCBC.
Preparations for Henley are currently under way, with a Downing entry in the Visitors' Challenge Cup. Also taking place at Henley is the Segreant Club's second dinner, held in the Leander Club on the Saturday of the Regatta. The founding dinner took place in the West Lodge in the Michaelmas Term and was a great success; no doubt the next will be even better.
Overall, it has been a great year for DCBC - the Lent and May headships have brought a club spirit and enthusiasm - the `Downing Tribe' has been founded and has already led to some great results both on and off the water. We are very grateful to our new President and Master, Professor King, for his support and hope that next year will be as successful as this one.
Senior Organ Scholar - Anthony Esland
Junior Organ Scholar - Nicola Crickmore
Choir Secretary - Sarah Hughes
The academic year got off to a good start for the choir, with an unprecedented number of Freshers joining. During the course of the year, though, a number of members left to pursue other activities and regular attendance was not a priority for others. However, the Advent Carol Service was a success and the annual Choir/Music Society Dinner was well attended. The prospect of a summer tour to Israel kept a core group of singers keen, and recitals at Hauxton Church and Ely Cathedral were highlights. The Eucharist service (one in each term with a R.C. Eucharist in Easter Term) proved popular, and the choir bravely tackled difficult works by Frescobaldi and Byrd. Nicola Crickmore did a sterling job at organising the summer tour, with help from Ben Turney, Sarah Hughes and Matt Gunn, providing administrative support throughout the year to keep the choir and chapel running smoothly.
We look forward to welcoming our new Junior Organ Scholar, Ben Elridge, who will be touring with the choir this summer.
At the end of another fine year of choral music at Downing, we especially thank our Senior Organ Scholar, Anthony Esland and the Junior Organ Scholar, Nicola Crickmore, for their dedicated work throughout the year.
Officers - Rosalind Scott, Dominic Coe
Downing Christian Union has been involved in a number of diverse activities this year. It began by welcoming all the Freshers into the College individually during the first few days of term, which seemed to be well received by most. In January there was a meal which proved an excellent opportunity for people to try out their culinary expertise, mingle and catch up on the latest news after the holidays. Stephen, a friend of Richard Edwards, who had just finished a one-year theology course in London, came to speak. He inspired us all as he enthusiastically taught from the Bible in a novel, African style. He showed a few of his experiences of our culture, how this differed from his own and highlighted some strengths and weaknesses of both. At the end of the Lent Term, some of the CU went on an informal houseparty to a cottage in Suffolk, which provided an invaluable opportunity for us to spend time getting to know one another better, relaxing together and focusing on God. Another houseparty is planned for the start of October with an external speaker from UCCF, who should encourage us all towards greater spiritual growth. This year has drawn to a close with an optional day of Prayer and Fasting and a garden party, during which- Mark Ansteed (from City Church) described his encounter with a psychopath that almost resulted in his death. A discussion group is also planned to start in October, open to anyone genuinely interested in finding out more about the Christian faith.
Honorary President - Sir Robert Jennings
Co-Presidents - Ainsley Chrishan, Helen Fillingham
Treasurer - George Hayman
Secretary - Helen Parkinson
The year began in style with the annual Freshers' Cocktail Party, followed by formal halls with the lawyers of Trinity Hall and Newnham.
The social highlight of the year was the Cranworth Dinner held in Middle Temple Hall, London. More than 200 past and present members of the society attended and many contacts were forged between undergraduates and their predecessors. The Cranworth Alumni came from the Bar, City and provincial law firms, academia and politics.
There was the traditional mooting challenge between Magdalene and Downing - the title being won back by Downing, and the Varsity mooting team was an all-Downing affair this year, beating Oxford in style.
The more serious advocates were joined by the thespians amongst us for the College Mock Trial. Mayhem and sexual intrigue ensued!!!
The year ended with the annual Cranworth Dinner in College with our honorary president, Sir Robert Jennings as guest speaker.
Men's Captain: 1994-95 - Adam Carney; 1995-96 - James Trapmore
Ladies' Captain: 1994-96 - Claire Maxwell
After the resounding success of the 1994-95 season, which saw Downing take first place in the men's league and third place in the ladies, 1995-96 proved equally satisfying. Olly Wild, running the last of his many fine races for the College, led us home for an emphatic victory in this season's Cuppers competition. A strong team, comprising not only out-and-out runners, but also footballers, rowers and orienteerers, combined to fight off all-comers, including Girton, the favourites. On the strength of this result, Varsity match call-ups were earned by James Trapmore, Dom O'Brien, Huw- Davies, Rupert Wall and James Titmus. Claire Maxwell, too, secured herself a place in the Blues team after finishing an impressive third overall in the ladies' race.
The men went on to take first place again in the Hare & Hounds relays, a frustratingly close second place in the Madingley relays and an eventual third place in the league. The ladies, enjoying far greater support this year, finished an admirable fourth in a hotly contested division. James (Trapmore) and Claire also saw University first team action in the British Student (BUSA) championships at Luton.
Many thanks to everybody who has competed for us. The club certainly has the potential to reclaim the league next season and, given some enthusiastic Freshers, a very realistic chance of doing so.
President - Edward Whishaw
Secretary - Nick Aldred
Having been `stood up' by some possible talkers close to poster time, Danby has had a somewhat unsatisfactory year. However, the socials continue to be good, especially this year's Halloween Cocktails. With an extra member on to committee this year, we hope to be more successful, and perhaps to look toward more business liaison.
The Dramatic Society has had an extremely successful year. In the Michaelmas Term the freshers' squash revealed a large amount of talent which was successfully channelled into the freshers' play. This was Ubu Rex, a controversial play in its time and extremely well received with hilarious performances by Paul- Jones, Al Bamford, Jon Dymond, Chris Stothers, Rosie Peppin-Vaughan and Nicola Whiting, to name but a few. It was billed as `not for the faint hearted' and lived up to its expectations with a marvellous blend of vulgarity and hilarity. It was directed by Dave Hart and produced by Jennifer Lewis.
The last week in term saw the very popular Christmas revue, an opportunity to see college's best comic talent, produced by Robin Slocombe. Meanwhile, rehearsals had already started for Black Jack and Accidental Death of an Anarchist. The latter was performed early in Lent Term and was the last play to be directed in College by Suman Ziallauh. Ralph Anderson stole the show with a brilliant performance as the maniac and there were debut performances by Samantha Routledge and Daniel Martin.
Lent Term was extremely busy for anyone concerned with the Dramatic Society. Rehearsals continued for Black Jack and the new committee was voted in, with Robin Slocombe as President, Fiona McMeechan as Secretary,- Ralph Anderson as Treasurer, Dan Martin as Publicity Officer, Samantha Routledge in charge of all backstage work and Marc Thomas in charge of technical equipment. The posts were announced at the annual dinner on 6 February.
Downing's first original musical was written by our own Gilbert and Sullivan, in the shape of Richard Straw and Stuart Hancock. Black Jack was directed by Helena Jevons and performed to an audience of about 500 over five nights. The production was well received by all and was one of the most successful College productions to be staged in the Howard Building. Superb singing, choreography and acting filled the stage, with excellent performances by Ben Marsh as Danny Burton; a debut by the writer himself, Richard Straw as Evil; Paul Gilham as a gangster; James Tinworth in the lead role of Sir George Stewart, alongside Sarah Hughes's Joanne Fararday. The musical was set in 1930s Chicago and charts the progress of Sir George as he tries to track down a grizzly serial killer, he believes to be Jack the Ripper.
Following this frenzy of activity, Easter Term was much quieter. Richard Jones directed a May Week garden show, Much Ado About Nothing. The Howard Court Gardens provided a marvellous stage for an excellent production enhanced by some wonderfully original touches, such as the Prince and soldiers entering in camouflage gear. James Trapmore gave an absolutely stunning performance as Benedick, just a taste of what he has been doing on stages university-wide. Nick Hallissey was hilarious as Verges and helped rescue many fellow actors from the more than occasional forgotten line! Marie Milmore gave her last Downing performance as hero opposite William Alazawi as Claudio. The success and quality of this production summed up an outstanding year for the society.
Editor - Nick Hallissey
Committee - John Tregoning, Ben Marsh, Morgan Bowen
As I understand it, this is Griffin's first entry in the Record. Maybe a brief resuméof recent history would help set the scene. In 1993, then Communications Officer, Mike Newby, received the College magazine, christening it the Amigo after an, ahem, Downing drinking tradition. For exactly how long the Griffin had been defunct prior to this, we are not sure. If any College historians can tell us, we'd be grateful. We'd like to jump back to the old Griffin numbering system if possible.
In 1994, the then-youthful (now ageing, but still here as JCR- President) Edward Whishaw took over, assisted by Bernie Kelly and Ian Carnochan. Thus was reborn the Griffin. The first adverts were received from local businesses. With no idea of the correct status of the numbering, they wrote `Revised Issue 1', and we went on from there. More people contributed, and Paul Gilham developed the `centre-fold' sports and societies section, calling himself Racket.
In 1995, Verica Djurdjevic became editor, actually not so much becoming, as exploding into the role. Thus was conceived the Allnighter, by which the Comms Committee threw caution, and sleep, to the cumulo-nimbus, writing the wretched thing through the night, kept awake/alive by copious coffee and cigarettes. The photograph cover became a regular feature and the Griffin's legendary cryptic gossip column, Tittle-Tattle, sank to new depths of creative depravity.
1996 saw the accession of Nick Hallissey (me), previously the Griffin's cynical film critic and writer of the Staying Power column, which interviewed and dredged embarrassing stories out of those Fellows who had been at Downing as undergraduates. Emeritus Fellow David Holbrook's tale of Downing at war was particularly poignant.
The magazine has led a bodysnatching lifestyle, with each successive editor half-inching his successor's budget. By way of full-contract advertising, the May Week '96 Issue saw the first self-sufficient Griffin and a professional printing deal was struck with PrestoPrint.
Much has gone on in the Griffin continuum this year. John Tregoning's backpage column developed in sarcastic vitriol, dissecting, inter alia, the Officer Training Corps and `cybersex'. Responding to the popular paranoid sci-fi show, `The X-Files', we created our own conspiracy hacks, Mow Cop (Suman Ziaullah) and Tod LePoon (Richard Straw), who investigated numerous College phenomena, including the dark secret of Hobson's Conduit. Zack King (Master Jnr) held forth on big sisters and football, at which the nine-year-old lad is rather good, some say.- Ralph Anderson's surreal ramblings continued our nice line in Griffiction, and a debating column emerged. Racket's coverage of our victories in the Lent and May Bumps, was superb, as was his analysis of the `no-Blues-for-Women's-Football' scandal.
More serious topics including Downing students' support of the Cambridge homeless, a perspective on Uganda by Roz Scott, and a report by David Hart on the Griffin's contribution to the multimedia armageddon. This, between our scatological observations on the simple purity of human companionship, as visible in the bar on a Friday night. And, of course, as is the perennial prerogative of the Griffin, we insulted Varsity.
President - N.D. Rogers
Secretary - A.K. Metcalfe
A relatively quiet year for our sporting gentlemen, outside of the club's annual events. The `Nearly Christmas Cocktails `were well received, but paled in comparison to the sheer beauty and enjoyment found at the `Fosters and Prawns', held at the start of May week, in the idyllic gardens of our very kind Master. Meanwhile, the Annual Dinner, held in the University Arms Hotel during Lent Term, went exceedingly well, with many old Griffins returning to aid festivities.
The 1996-97 season promises well, with a strong intake of new members this year.
President - Edward Whishaw
Secretary - William Alazawi
Treasurer - Jo Renea
External Officer - Eleanor Heylen
Welfare Officer - Judith Hunter
Men's Officer - Ross Kennedy
Women's Officer - Ho Lan
ENTS- Officer - Rob Melvin
Communications Officer - Nick Hallissey
First Year Officer - Emilie Ficek
Unfortunately, I cannot tell you all that has happened over the last year, having only taken up my post in February. However, this year looks like it could be fruitful, both in new ideas and great commitment from the all brand-new JCR Executive. Hopefully, next year I'll be writing this and telling you of all our success.
Thanks must go to the Master, Professor King, and all his family for allowing us to host an extremely successful- Garden Party in the Master's Garden - to the tune of a Downing born and bred live band, `Saints and Sinners.'
Captain - Sam Routledge
Downing Mixed Lacrosse Club had has a great year, with excellent results in the newly-organised league, and finishing runners-up in Cuppers. The league took place during Michaelmas and Lent Terms (although bad weather in Lent Term led to the cancellation of several matches). We had a tough first game against Trinity, coming from behind to draw 1-1 in the last minutes. Two walkovers followed, then a 1-0 victory over St Catharine's. Our final league game was an incredible 10-1 victory over St John's, with only 6 players (not the usual 10), thus putting Downing firmly at the top of the league.
Cuppers in Michaelmas Term was a breeze through to the final, convincingly beating Magdalene and Emmanuel 4-0 and St John's 2-0, in the semi-finals. Unfortunately, St Catharine's gained revenge for their league defeat, beating us 1-0 in the finals We had great team spirit throughout the year during the matches, although sometimes it was hard to get enough players. Team regulars include Alex Faris, Sam Routledge, Al Rose, Mark Bayley, Marie Milmore, Steve Holden and new first years, Annabel Thorburn, Sheelagh Houlden, Lucy De Las Casas and Rupert Wall. Tim Briggs, borrowed from men's hockey, gave some superb performances in goal. Thanks also go to other players, some of whom only played because they were unfortunate enough to be crossing the paddock just before a match. These include Pet Ho, Stuart Hancock, Stuart Edmondson and Andy Hodgson. Sheelagh and Annabel also represented the University at 2nd team level, gaining colours.
With the good 1st year intake, next year looks to be promising, Final thanks go to the outgoing captain, Alex.
President - James Pitchford
Treasurer - Mark Deem
The Music Society has had a very good year. At the beginning of the Michaelmas Term we were thrilled to discover a high level of musical talent amongst the College's new members. Many of these treated an appreciative Howard Building audience to an excellent Freshers' Concert, in which a mixed programme of classical and contemporary pieces was presented. Memorable performances were given by Katie Brooks, David Hunt, Emma Laney and Jon Rowland, all of whom proved to be highly proficient pianists, and Eleanor Brassington and Catherine Finely (playing saxophone and piano respectively) gave a rousing rendition of Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue.
One week afterwards, a select number of crack choristers gave an astounding display of vocal dexterity in a concert of madrigals and barbershop songs. This was staged in the Chapel and included a dazzling arrangement of the Beach Boys' classic, Barbara Ann. Taking part in the concert were Katie Oliver, Emily Phillips, Johannes Reinschke, Matt Gunn, Mark Miller, Owen Stephens, Ben Turney, Peter Szyszko, and our two Organ Scholars, Anthony Esland and Nicola Crickmore.
After Christmas, Anne Dawson, Sarah Hughes, Judith Hunter, Nicola Hall and Emma Smith contributed to a programme that included Vivaldi's Concerto in E Minor for Oboe and Strings, Pergolesi's Stabat Mater and Handel's Arrival of the Queen of Sheba. Providing a piano accompaniment for the Pergolesi and Handel pieces was Stuart Hancock. A fortnight later, Stuart returned to the concert platform to accompany Emilie Ficek in an enthralling programme of bassoon solos.
In February, Mark Deem gave a sparkling piano recital that included Mozart's Sonata in F Major and Chopin's Polonaise and Prelude in D Flat. The piano was also the featured instrument in our next concert, a compilation of the rags of Scott Joplin. For this, we were pleased to welcome back Stephen Law of Bristol University. As our Guest Pianist, Stephen has visited us several times now, bringing with him a first-class concert every time.
The first concert of the Easter Term was a programme of original compositions by Downing's Simon Cross. Simon, who has been a keen composer for several years, introduced a selection of his works. Especially noteworthy was a captivating piece entitled Monumental Legacy, which was extremely popular with the audience. The composition cleverly combined a computer-controlled synthesiser accompaniment with a highly syncopated Latin text, which was sung by volunteers from the Choir.
An assortment of piano duets, performed by Emilie Ficek and Stuart Hancock, was well received by students requiring a short break from exam revision. This was our last concert of the year.
Mark Deem takes over the office of President for the next academic year, with Simon Cross as Treasurer. Music at Downing is sure to benefit greatly from their dedication.
Captain- Ed Whishaw
Secretary - Andy Hodgson
This, the inaugural year of DCOC saw members meet with success in the British Championships, BUSA and the Varsity match.
Andy Hodgson won his half-blue for the 2nd year running and came a creditable 9th in BUSA.
Next year we hope to continue and improve upon this year's performance and also bring the Cuppers title to Downing!
Captain - 1995-96: Ali Rose; 1996-97 - Oli Wraight
Secretary - 1995-96: Andy Cochrane; 1996-97 - Chris Pask
After a somewhat indifferent season last year, DCRUFC were determined to reassert their mark on the college rugby scene. We were blessed with a strong intake of first years, with Andy Brown, Chris Pask, Mark Knowles, Chris Pyper and Joao Lima, making particularly large impression.
A strong team spirit soon became instilled into the squad following the hugely successful rugby nights and the season got off to a flying start with a string of quality wins, leading to a lengthy unbeaten run.- Michaelmas Term ended with an epic encounter against St John's at Long Road, watched by
a plentiful and much appreciated crowd of Downing supporters. Unfortunately, John's pressure was just too much and they sneaked a win, going on to become League Champions.
Our spirits were undaunted in the Lent Term, however, and we went on to win our remaining league matches to finish in joint second place. Stirring Cuppers victories followed against Selwyn and Sidney Sussex, although by the time we reached the quarter-final, fatigue and a spate of injuries had taken their toll and we succumbed to the old enemy, St John's, once again the eventual winners. The season rounded off with a decadent annual dinner and court run, which, despite several absences, attracted by far the biggest crowd of the season!
DCRUFC was also well represented at University level with Andy Brown putting in an excellent performance in both the Under-21 Varsity Match and in subsequent games for the LX Club, along with Dave Brandt. In addition, Richard Llewellyn, Joe Thompson and Oli Wraight were selected for the College's squad which convincingly beat their Oxford counterparts.
Many thanks are due to all those members of the club who are leaving this year, not least Ali- Rose and Vice-Captain Dwayne Goss, whose lengthy period of injury did not prevent him from giving unrivalled support to the club, both on and off the field. With another good intake of first years, all bodes well for the coming season.
Captain - Maike Heining
Secretary - Catherine Derrick
This has been another very successful season for DCWRUFC. In the league, we were narrowly pushed into second place on points difference, having convincingly beaten the champions, St John's, 24:7. (The first match they have lost in over two years.)
In Cuppers the first team reached the semi-finals, but lost to Magdalene in extra time. In retrospect, having the end of season dinner the night before probably wasn't such a good idea! The second team also did very well, beating Fitzwilliam and New Hall II.
Captain - Jay Vincze, Ravi Gupta
The league this year ran hot and cold, as always depending on exam availability of players, and results ranged from the crushing defeat to the glorious victory against all odds. As a result, we will be demoted a league next season, but then that's the nature of the beast.
Cuppers got off to a cracking start this year, with two convincing wins over Selwyn and Emmanuel II (largely thanks to our two blues players, Stuart Haycock and Jo Renea). We then ground to a halt in the semi-finals, when we had to give APU a walkover. This isn't the ideal way to get knocked out of a competition, of course, but we can take solace from the fact that we would have gone all the way (probably).
Thanks to all who played and to Jonah Jones for organising the second team, and taking it off my hands, although as far as I can gather, they only played one match.
President - Philip Laws
Secretary - Sarah Hughes
It has been a relatively quiet year for the Whitby Medical Society, although several of the traditional annual events were a great success. At the Michaelmas cocktail party the freshers were introduced to the large number of Whitby members in years 2 to 6. We were also pleased to be joined by Dr Everitt, Dr Robbins, Dr Coleman, Dr Phillips and our anatomy supervisors on this occasion.
The Christmas `Labcoats and Boots' party was thoroughly enjoyed by all, and will, no doubt, return for a third appearance in November 1996. Links with the Cranworth Law Society were maintained with the annual Whitby/
Cranworth pub crawl.
Despite our best efforts to find speakers for the society this year, we received only one positive response. In March we welcomed Mr Paul May,
a consultant neurosurgeon from Liverpool, who joined us for Formal
Hall before delivering an informative and entertaining talk in the Howard Building. A group of medics also visited Churchill College for a joint speaker meeting, the highlight of which was the imitation by the rather eccentric speaker of primitive animal mating calls!
The biggest event in our calendar, the Annual Dinner, took place on
27 April. Our speaker was Dr John Keown, an expert in medical law and a Fellow at Queens' College. It was particularly good, on this occasion, to welcome back students now studying at other clinical schools. We aim to set up a register of medics leaving after their third year at Downing, so that we can maintain contact in the future.
Next year promises to be a good one for the Whitby Society, hopefully involving more speaker meetings. Sarah Hughes takes over as President, and our lone first year vet, Sheelagh Houlden, will become Secretary of the society.
Name of Student Name of Sport Blue Half-Blue Colour
Hancock S.A. Tennis S(e)
Maxwell C.K. Cross-Country S S
Jolley M. Football S S
Trapmore J.L.B. Athletics S
Russell C.J.H. Golf S
Hopwood A.J. Squash S
Renea J.M. Tennis S
Waller R.M. Rowing S
Maxwell C.K. Athletics S
Pask C.D. Shooting S(e) S
Cochrane A.G. American Football S(e)
Hodgson A.W. Orienteering S
Messenholler M. Lightweight Rowing S
Etiebet P.E. Waterpolo S
Hollingdale A.E. Archery S
Trigger S.H.C. Eton Fives S
Langrish J.A. Football S
Truesdale E.R. Lightweight Rowing S
Tavner C.A. Lightweight Rowing S
Baker T.W. Sailing S
Middleton T.F. Lightweight Rowing S
Miles F.J. Tennis S(e)
Trapmore J.L.B. Cross-Country S
Melvin R.A. Football S
Parry-Jones S.E. Hockey S
Lynch A.G. Korfball S
Brown A.D.C. U21 Rugby S
Houlden S.Z. Lacrosse S
Thorburn A.L. Lacrosse S
Brandt D.A. Rugby S
Rose A.H. Cricket S
Pim R.J. Rowing S
Maxwell C.K. Football University Second Team
Routledge S.J.E. Football University Second Team
Whishaw E.A.H. Skiing University Second Team
Highet L.J. Skiing University Second Team
Cresswell M.G. Skiing University Second Team
Rogers C.A. Skiing University Second Team
Alexander N.D. Waterpolo University Second Team
(e) expected
The following elections and awards have been made:
Re-elected to Scholarships
Engineering: Lowery S.J., Thirlwall P.N., Storm J.A.M.
Law: Allison D.W., Fisher J., Robertson M.A.
Mathematics: Fahrenwaldt M.A.
Medical & Veterinary Sciences: Barrett L.K.
Natural Sciences: Beal M.J., Fletcher A.J.W., McCauley N.K., Rogers C.A., Routledge S.J.E., West M.C.
Elected to Title of Scholar
Archaeology & Anthropology: Danziger J.A.
Architecture: Sher D.M.
English: Phillips K.
History: Bracken W.K.W., Taylor R.
Law: Siddall N.M., Ward A.R.
Mathematics: Demetriou D.A.
Oriental Studies: Spencer N.A.
Elected to Scholarships
Classics: Knowles M.A., Thomas N.
Computer Science: Riddoch D.J.
Engineering: Baker T.W., Booker C., Manson C.J.D., Molyneux-Berry P.B.
History: Lowis J.A.
Law: Laband C.M., Moollan S.A.H., Siddall N.M., Ward A.R.
Mathematics: Scanlon M.G.T., Wilson T.A.J.
Medical & Veterinary Sciences: Bamford A.R.J., Burton T.J., Houlden S.Z., Hunt D.P.J., Radford M.J.F., Simhadri A.N., Weil R.S.
Natural Sciences: Allinson M.J., Ford M.G.J., Kwok J.W.H., Luo J., Middleton T.F., Nyman R.A., Pask C.M., Pitukmanorom P., Rowland J.T., Savage R.S.
Elected to the Title of Harris Scholar (Law)
Rashid O.
Elected to Senior Harris Scholar (Law)
Noury S.M., Rashid O.
Elected to the Title of Jarvis Scholar (Law)
Carnochan I.W., Chrishan A.N., Truesdale E.R.
Elected to Senior Jarvis Scholarship (Law)
Carnochan I.W., Chrishan A.N., Truesdale E.R.
Elected to the Title of Seton- Scholar (Law)
Foulkes A.M., Harle P.G., Siddall N.M., Ward A.R.
Elected to Senior Seton Scholarship (Law)
Foulkes A.M., Harle P.G., Siddall N.M., Ward A.R.
Elected to the Title of Whitby Scholar (Medical &- Veterinary Sciences)
Kar A., Lam H.S.H.S., Rose A.H., Simpson L.H.
Elected to Senior Whitby Scholarship (Medical &- Veterinary Sciences)
Edwards R.M., Hopwood A.J., Kar A., Lam H.S.H.S., Rose A.H., Simpson L.H.
Association Prize
Featherstone D.J.
Whalley-Tooker Prize
Fisher J.
Alcan Prize
Manson C.J.D.
Pilley Scholarships
Brandt D.A.
Llewellyn R.A.N.R.
Rose A.H.
Sneddon S.M.
John Treherne Prize for Creative Writing
1st Prize Pratap N.
= 2nd Prize Emm N.T., Kemp J.G.
Harrison Prize
Squire S.B.
R.J. White Prize
Wright S.C.J.
College Prizes
Archaeology & Anthropology: Danziger J.A.
Architecture: Sher D.M.
Classics: Greenwood E.J.M., Knowles M.A., Thomas N.
Computer Science: Riddoch D.J.
Engineering: Baker T.W., Booker C., Lowery S.J., Manson C.J.D., Molyneux-Berry P.B., Storm J.A.M., Thirlwall P.N.
English: Phillips K.
Geography:- Featherstone D.J.
History:- Bracken W.K.W., Lowis J.A., Taylor R.
Law: Allison D.W., Fisher J., Harle P.G., Laband C.M., Moollan S.A.H., Noury S.M., Robertson M.A., Siddall N.M., Ward A.R.
Mathematics: Demetriou D.A., Fahrenwaldt M.A., Scanlon M.G.T., Wilson T.A.J.
Medical &- Veterinary Sciences: Bamford A.R.J., Barrett L.K., Burton T.J., Houlden S.Z., Radford M.J.F., Simhadri A.N., Weil R.S.
Natural Sciences: Allinson M.J., Beal M.J., Carter O.J., Edwards R.M., Fletcher A.J.W., Ford M.G.J., Jones D.M., Kar A., Kirkpatrick P.N., Kwok J.W.H., Luo J., McCauley N.K., Middleton T.F., Nyman R.A., Pask C.M., Pitukmanorom P., Rogers C.A., Routledge S.J.E., Rowland J.T., Savage R.S., Simpson L.H., Squire S.B., West M.C.
Oriental Studies: Spencer N.A.
Additional College Prizes for Special Distinction in University and College Examinations
Archaeology & Anthropology: Danziger J.A. (Platt)
Architecture: Sher D. (Whitelegg)
Classics:- Greenwood E.J.M. (Platt), Thomas N. (Platt)
Computer Science: Riddoch D.J. (Unwin)
Engineering:- Booker C. (Whitelegg), Lowery S.J. (Whitelegg), Manson C.J.D. (Whitelegg), Thirlwall P.N. (Whitelegg)
Geography: Featherstone D.J. (Platt)
History:- Taylor R. (Platt)
Law:- Fisher J. (Platt), Robertson M.A. (Platt)
Medical &- Veterinary Sciences:- Barrett L.K. (Platt), Houlden S.Z. (Platt), Hunt D.P.J. (Platt)
Natural Sciences:- Kirkpatrick P.N. (Unwin), Kwok J.W.H. (Whitelegg), Luo J. (Whitelegg), McCauley N. (Unwin)
Oriental Studies: Spencer N.A. (Platt)
Chapel Reading Prize
Carnochan I.W., King B.J.
In 1987 the College published a history of the architecture of Downing by Cinzia Maria Sicca, a Research Fellow 1981-85, aided by Fellows Charles Harpum and Edward Powell, superbly illustrated by photographer Fellow-Commoner Tim Rawle (1975). It contains the first complete catalogue of all the architectural drawings relating to the original buildings as put in for the competitive application by well-known architects of the time, in 170 black and white drawings, with 26 handsome colour-plates of the College in 1987.
There are still some copies left, and we have been fortunate to make an arrangement with the Bursar to offer them to members at the ridiculously low price of £5. The postage (UK) and packing add another £3.50, but even so it must be THE BARGAIN OF THE YEAR.
Hard-backed copies are also available at £18, plus £3.50 postage (UK) and packing.
Please send your order on the form in the centre-fold.
We regret to report that Betty French died 7 December 1995. She was a great help to the Association, not only in her generous gifts and bequests to the College, but in her support to Stanley in his long period as Secretary of the Association. A.T. Grove (right) with Professor Claudio Vita-Finzi (University College London), Dick's first Ph.D. student, at the lunch in Downing. Photo: Gerda Adams *W.M. Adams, A.S. Goudie and A.R. Orme (Eds.) (1996) The Physical Geography of Africa, Oxford University Press (Walton Street, Oxford OX2 6DP); £50.00 Hardback; ISBN 0-19-828875-1.
In the 1995 College Record Rohit Kushwaha was mistakenly said to have been awarded a Blue for Tennis. He wishes it to be made clear that though he was a member of the Blues squad for Tennis, injury prevented him from representing Cambridge against Oxford.
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©Downing College Cambridge 1996
WebMaster@dow.cam.ac.uk
Last updated: August 1996
©Downing College Cambridge 1996
WebMaster@dow.cam.ac.uk
Last updated: August 1996