Category: Uncategorized

Stuck behind a convoy of maybe 150 Vespa scooters, I was worried that I’d be late for the starting time of 2.00pm at the Botanics. But I rolled up with 10 minutes to spare, trying to look unruffled.

The guides welcomed us warmly, quick to tell us of their own Oxbridge histories! The sun ratcheted up a few degrees and I managed to buy a hat. James, our guide, then began to reveal the occult mysteries of the trees, mostly reproductive, as we navigated the garden, to which we could only respond ‘Wow!’ and ‘That’s amazing!’ What had been ‘just’ a lovely vista became a tapestry of fascinating detail: weeping and happy beeches, Judas trees, skunk cabbage, oak hornbeam, with its leaves of two different designs. Already drunk on sunshine, we headed to the cafeteria for tea and a chance to chat.

Thank you to everyone for taking part. I hope you enjoyed yourselves as much as I did!

by Shavindra Fernando

A ‘lost revolution’ novel ‘The Vague Poetess’ by Shavindra Fernando (a Reuter Fellow from Oriel College) recalled in England as as the novel’s rebels took power in Sri Lanka in November 2024. The Marxist rebel-led coalition turned the tables of the island’s Asia-eldest Westminster-style democracy.

Available on Amazon and Waterstones

In March 2024, Fiona Chesterton gave an absorbing talk on Bringing Family History to Life at Wolfson College.. She described how an unexpected inheritance prompted her research into family history., using not only traditional genealogical records but also a wide range of resources such as old photographs and and personal mementoes to develop her book Secrets Never To Be Told. She described its long road to the publication, including as an audiobook version. The event was very much enjoyed by the 30 or so people who attended, with many contributions to discussion following Fiona’s talk. All copies of the book Fiona brought with her were sold to an enthusiastic audience and she went away with further orders to fulfil!

In July 2024, Elizabeth Stazicker told the tale of the Fenland Princess, St. Etheldreda, founder of the monastic community on which Ely Cathedral is based. Elizabeth is the Honorary Archivist to the Cathedral and was part of the team who studied the story’s sources for the 2023 anniversary. After the dramatic storytelling, there was a lively Q and A and discussion of the themes raised in the story. The pleasant community room of Little St. Mary’s Church proved an ideal setting to be told a story on a summer evening as birdsong drifted in from the garden.

OUSC member Sean Moroney gave a demonstration of the innovative Citipod.

OUS committee member Mo Middleton arranged a visit to the Parker Library in Corpus Christi College, where we privileged to be told about its history and shown some of its treasures by the Librarian

OUSC member Miles Dodd gave an entertaining talk on misericords in England and France 13th-16th centuries at Selwyn College. He illustrated his talk with excellent photographs of the little wooden carvings found under the tip up seats in churches and cathedrals – some beautiful, some hilarious, some rather rude, many full of symbolism, and all fasc

The Worshipful Company Of Gunmakers

Est’d 1637 by Royal,Charter.

Nomination Dinner: 5th November 2024

One of our OUSC committee members is installed as Master of the Gunmakers

Livery Company

The evening of the Nomination Dinner was split into three parts.

The overture was the Service of Thanksgiving in the church of Vedastalias 100 yards from Goldsmith’s Hall. The second part, on our return to Goldsmith’s, was the signing of the Military Covenant. The Grand Finale, the third part, was the Nomination Dinner in the candlelit Goldsmith’s Livery Hall. Then, the highlight of the evening, Master-Elect Richard Hefford Hobbs made his declaration as the new Master.

Professor Dame Clare Grey gave an illuminating talk on ‘What can (battery) science do for the environment?’ at Pembroke College, where she is a fellow. She ensured that while those in the audience who came with scientific understanding and knowledge heard plenty to advance their knowledge of the development and future of batteries, others also left with with much more understanding of this important aspect of all our futures.

On November 8th 2024, committee member Linda Appleby’s book ‘The Kingdom Is Yours’ was published. It is a journal of the last 10 years of the twentieth century. Following vast changes in world events, the book uses psychodynamic theories of world events to establish a link between political change and personal life. Why were the ‘Yugoslav’wars, the fall of the Berlin Wall, the release of Nelson Mandela, the rise of Tony Blair possible? Could there be a spiritual connection – and where might we be going?

The book was published by Austin Macauley and costs £7.99 It is available from all bookshops and online.

In March 2024, Fiona Chesterton gave an absorbing talk on Bringing Family History to Life at Wolfson College.. She described how an unexpected inheritance prompted her research into family history., using not only traditional genealogical records but also a wide range of resources such as old photographs and and personal mementoes to develop her book Secrets Never To Be Told. She described its long road to the publication, including as an audiobook version. The event was very much enjoyed by the 30 or so people who attended, with many contributions to discussion following Fiona’s talk. All copies of the book Fiona brought with her were sold to an enthusiastic audience and she went away with further orders to fulfil!

In July 2024, Elizabeth Stazicker told the tale of the Fenland Princess, St. Etheldreda, founder of the monastic community on which Ely Cathedral is based. Elizabeth is the Honorary Archivist to the Cathedral and was part of the team who studied the story’s sources for the 2023 anniversary. After the dramatic storytelling, there was a lively Q and A and discussion of the themes raised in the story. The pleasant community room of Little St. Mary’s Church proved an ideal setting to be told a story on a summer evening as birdsong drifted in from the garden.