It’s always wonderful to welcome alumni back to Churchill for our Association Weekend, and this year was no exception!
In just 48 hours we hosted a talk, High Table, Wine Tasting, a meet-up for our Year Group Reps, a music concert, a high tea, the AGM of our Association Committee, our annual Association Dinner, a tour of our new Bill Brown Creative Workshops and a tea for Boat Club members and those who wished to remember Canon Noel Duckworth!
We started with a fascinating discussion between our former Senior Tutor, Richard Partington, and Dr Andrew Spencer, Senior Tutor of Gonville and Caius. The subject was the book written jointly by Richard and his wife, alumna Caroline Burt (U96), entitled Arise, England: Six Kings and the Making of the English State, a history of the rise of the state in Plantagenet England.
The centrepiece of the Weekend was a musical concert featuring the Marsyas Trio and an exclusive performance a piece created by alumna Dr Susan Lim (G85), ‘Fantasy of Companionship Suite for Piano, Flute and Strings‘ composed by Manu Martin. This featured renowned pianist Mark Bebbington, the Marsyas Trio and College musicians. This was followed by the world premiere of a solo piano works ‘La Fantaisie d’ALAN’, composed by Manu Martin and performed by Mark Bebbington. The concert also included a piece by College Director of Music Ewan Campbell on his collaboration with artist Xavi Bou, entitled ‘Infinite Horizons’. This was followed by a talk by our outgoing Master, Professor Dame Athene Donald FRS, on her book Not Just for the Boys: Why We Need More Women in Science.
Read a review of the concert on Classical Explorer
Concurrently, some of our alumni wanting to be involved with more outdoor pursuits, competed in the annual alumni golf tournament at the Meridian Golf Club. Our golfers are always keen for new blood to join them, so if you fancy getting involved in the tournament next year, drop us an email and we will add you to the mailing list for the event.
After a well-attended Association Dinner in the evening, it was a pleasure to hear from both Dr Lim (whose generous donations fund the Lim Bursary for medical/STEM students) and Dame Athene as our after-dinner speakers.
