Principal’s Blog: Early March

Visit to Downing Street – 23 February:I visited James Johnson who graduated in History and Politics a few years ago and now works at Downing Street as part of their strategy team. You might think that the place would appear a hive of activity but the public parts appear quiet and it resembles a Georgian townhouse although it was constructed during the reign of Charles II. James is kindly arranging for a visit by some of our PPE Students to his workplace. I offered my inexpert views on the present political situation and James was very polite.

Sports Dinner with Etienne Stott – 1 March:Etienne Stott was an outstanding and inspiring speaker at the Annual Sports Dinner. He is a slalom canoeist who started competing at the international level in 2002 initially in the kayak singles category, but switching to canoe doubles(C2) in 2005. He retired from the sport in 2016. He is the Olympic Champion in the C2 event from the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. He told of how losing had inspired him to win as had his fierce rivalry with another team. He had learnt a great deal from that.In her address, Tabitha Everitt the Sports Rep ( from Biddenham Upper School and Sports College in Bedford Etiennes old school) spoke about our many teams who are she said touchingly on the brink of success.Bishop William Smyth Recital – 2 March:On 2 March we held the William Smyth Recital in Chapel to commemorate one of the Colleges co-founders. This also celebrated our trio of female organ scholars: Fleur Snow, Sarah Hughes, and Bethy Reeves (believed to be an Oxbridge first). They performed together with graduate neurologist and oboist Tom Barber. The programme include Albinoni’s Oboe Concerto Op 9/2, duets by Samuel Wesley, and an outrageous arrangement of Rossini’s William Tell Overture for organ, harpsichord, chamber organ, and piano. It was a brilliant performance by really talented musicians.Miscellany:On 27 February I went to the book launch for Lucy Newlyns brilliantly titled book The Diary of a Bipolar Explorer. The book is not a travel guide but instead a fascinating account of her bipolar condition. Lucy is an old friend and EmeritusEnglish Fellow at St Edmunds Hall.On 28 February we held a dinner to thank those who had been involved in designing and building our new Library reading room which has been delivered on budget and on time. Dinner in Hall on 6 March had a Welsh theme in the week following St Davids Day and at the end bara brith were served (Welsh cakes I believe). Fleur Snow read grace in Welsh!On 6 March I attended a stimulating Equality Conversation entitled Behind the Headlines; Muslim Women on Identities, Opportunities and Structural Changes in Britain at Merton College.I starred (in a loose manner of speaking) in the BNC End of Term Review in a packed Hall on 9 March playing myself in a small walk on part. The Reviews theme was Brexit. I had to come in Dinner Jacket as I had been to the Law Club Dinner beforehand.During the cold spell or Beast from the East (presumably from Cambridge!) the College looked especially beautiful. There was a fine snowman in the quad. Many staff displayed great ingenuity and dedication with their travel plans. Readers will understand that I cannot divulge the details of my punishing training schedule but I can say that just after me came onto the gym floor Simon Altman, one of our Emeritus Fellows in Physics (who is even older than I am). Another one of the excellent Ale Verses this year was to the tune of – “Don’t Look Back in Anger” (Oasis).Slip inside the Brasenose library Don’t you know you might find Some work due yesterday You said youd smash finals But all the hopes of a first Will slowly fade away So I’ll lie and watch some Netflix from my bed Wonder what happened to that brain in my headStep outside, Summertowns in bloom I will avoid that library place My finals are a lost caseCopying answers from mark schemes a bad shout And so Stally can wait, I know it’s too late, to Park End I must gooooo My marks slide away, “Try a bit harder next time,” tutor did say The pool table is where we goWhere nobody knows who broke all the cues Please don’t put those cues in the hands Of freshers like Strachan Hes broken so many I’m gonna play my pingers knock out match instead Oh wait the sports reps planning of that was deadStay inside ’cause finals feel like doom More time at a bar than a desk, my revision is a mess ‘Cause I did never figure those models out And so Stally can wait, for my tinder date, my essays make me cry My marks slide away, “What is this utter rubbish,” tutor did say So Stally can wait, its the place I hate, cant do this lawyers sigh Prospects slide away, “This isnt even English,” tutor did say So Stally can wait, its Wahoo I rate, oh wait its gone bye bye My marks slides away, “Where are all of your essays, please give me an essay.” Tutor did say, “was due yesterday.”I wish everyone a good vacation.