All posts by Victoria Brown

St. Chad’s Day 2019

Alumni, College, Front-Page, News,

On the 2nd of March every year, something very special happens on North Bailey, Durham. Think green, think 8am, think pots, pans, whistles and tradition. Think St. Chad’s Day. If Chadsians needed a reason to enjoy their weekend during summative season, this is it. Filled with a tight itinerary, Chad’s day is a day which all can enjoy. There is only one dress code: green. The morning began by meeting just before 8am, a sea of green illuminating the Cassidy Quad. With everyone ready and the JCR President Josh sat on an elevated chair, hoisted by Boat Club blades and carried by strong students, the parade to all Bailey colleges with the intention of making as much noise as possible began. Hatfield, Castle, John’s, Cuth’s: we may be small, but we are mighty.

 

After the procession, Chadsians alike had breakfast in Moulsdale Hall; green milk included. At 10:30 came the unique Cathedral Service, with various performances. Afterwards gave an opportunity for Chad’s alumni to meet in the SCR for a catch up and a hot drink, before the Palace Green race at 12pm.

11:59am saw the gathering of Chadsians on the start line, ready to sprint around Palace Green on the first chime of 12. For what, you may wonder? The college mascot goat costume, of course. Despite scratches, scrapes and close-losses, the Keeper of the College Goat emerged. Quite a different climate from last year, Palace Green was not as icy this year!

After all the exercise and a college lunch, Chad’s day afternoon quietens off, allowing some respite for the afternoon and evening ahead.

The late afternoon was filled with various sporting events, including Men’s football and a win for Chad’s Women’s Hockey. Chadsians then made their way back from Maiden Castle to participate in and watch Chad’s Family Fortunes. Following that, the battle for Mr and Mrs Chad’s proceeded, with participants fulfilling various tasks to claim their title, with last year’s Mr and Mrs Chad’s presenting this year’s competition to spectators.

The day draws to a close, the headphones are charged, the bar is getting busier and the inflatables are set up. Chad’s annual silent disco is ready to begin. Chadsians dance the night away. Midnight hits, it’s been a long day, and Chadsians are ready for bed. An eventful, bright and fun-packed day, St. Chad’s Day 2019 is over, until next year; when we’ll do it all again.

Celebrating Chad’s Women at the Ladies’ and Friends’ Formal

Alumni, Archives, Front-Page, News

Last night at ‘Ladies’ and Friends’ formal’ we marked 30 years since women were first admitted as students to St Chads.  Thank you to our guest of honour, Chad’s alumna Sherin Gerami (who is the first woman to be permitted to represent Iran in the Triathlon) for such a motivational talk.  Your work is so inspirational and really encompasses our Chad’s ethos.

Dr Margaret Masson, our (first female) Principal, gave a brief account of the history of women being admitted in 1988.  She also paid tribute to the many female members of staff who have enabled the College to run from day-to-day since its founding in 1904 and expressed our gratitude to current female members of staff – Vicki, Linda, Catherine and Lesley – who were guests at the formal.  At the end of the meal, Julia Atherley, co-chair of Chad’s FemSoc  invited guests to contribute to ‘A Way Out’, an outreach and prevention charity which aims to engage, empower and equip vulnerable and excluded women, families and young people to live lives free from harm, abuse and exploitation and to reduce life limiting choices and behaviour.  We hope that everyone attending the formal had a great time celebrating the ladies and friends of St Chad’s…

 

 

JCR exec husts

Front-Page, News

The JCR exec husts are well under way now.  Congratulations to everyone who has run for a position; as always in Chad’s, this year’s candidates have been very strong and the husts have been a pleasure to watch, with many thought provoking topics being discussed.  With each new post elected, it’s exciting to see the new executive committee gradually emerging, and getting ready to lead their JCR through the next year.  During these times of change it’s reassuring to see Chad’s students come together, to strive towards their goals and to embrace this dynamic environment.

St Chad’s Syrian Refugee Outreach Project

Front-Page, News, Outreach

As part of a small St. Chad’s outreach project, each week, a small group of St. Chad’s students venture out to the nearby town of Chester-le-street on an evening to help a family of Syrian refugees with their English language skills. I am incredibly glad to say I am one of those students. We open the gate and walk up the path of a semi-detached house. We are always greeted with smiling faces. This is the home of Muhammad, Amna, who are parents to Ahmad (22), Salah (18) and Rania (17).

But this has not always been home. Over notes about pronunciation, Amna tells me of her childhood in Syria, how she met Muhammad (above) and how they got married. When the conflict worsened in Syria, the family moved to Jordan. Ahmad (below, right) shows me some of his writing: a letter to a friend back in Jordan, telling them of his new home in the UK. Muhammad and Ahmad were once manual labourers in Jordan.

Now, their days are filled with Muhammad volunteering at the local Re-f-use Cafe and Ahmad working in catering at the University. Salah tells me of his school days in Syria, explaining how much he prefers his lessons at Durham New College. ‘The teachers respect you as a student,’ he states. Rania has recently been moved into the top set for her classes, Amna tells me with a beaming smile. Amna (below) enjoys cooking, and often brings out home bakes made from middle-eastern recipes, which are always very sweet, and always very delicious.

The family are all so keen to learn. They bounce off each other, we all laugh, over mispronunciations, the complexities of tenses, cognates, and when to use ‘those’, ‘these’, ‘that’, and ‘this’.

Being an hour or two and plenty cups of middle-eastern tea, these evenings are always modest, simple and heartwarming. The family are always so grateful. St. Chad’s engages in several ongoing outreach and volunteering projects throughout the academic year; one of which takes us as far as South Africa. With the current, uncertain political and international environment, this project brings a personal element to wider issues. And, for that reason, amongst many, it is incredibly rewarding and most certainly feels like Chad’s is making a difference as part of a bigger picture.

Burns Night Formal

Front-Page, News

Burns Night Formal last Thursday was fantastic! Freddie Bearn began the evening by piping in the guests, and Alex Milne gave a wonderful rendition of ‘To a Haggis’ and subsequently the meal began. The Catering Team did a marvellous job; the haggis and whisky gravy were delicious.

Once the meal had finished, Richard Penney delivered an excellent Toast to the Lassies and a witty retort was made by Isobel Clarke in her Toast to the Laddies!

Burns Night was a great opportunity for everyone to join in the evening’s jollities and to display their best tartan gear.  Mention must go to Sean Gallagher Gill who managed to sprout a bob of red hair for the evening.

The night finished with a jolly Ceilidh which was enjoyed by all!

 

St Chad’s Advent Procession

Choir, News

On Sunday Chadsians, family and friends all gathered to watch St Chad’s annual Advent Procession in the dim glow of a candlelit Durham Cathedral. The darkening of the Cathedral along with the procession of twinkling robes and a veil of incense created a very magical atmosphere. The Advent Procession is one of the most beautiful and reflective services of the year!

The St Chad’s Choir and soloists sang beautifully. The procession advanced towards the choir to ‘O Come, O Come, Emmanuel’ in celebration and anticipation of the arrival of Jesus Christ, the light of the world. As the clergy approached the choir, candles, held by current Chadians, were lit down the aisle, alongside the congregation representing the journey of the second coming of Christ.

Thank you Tristan, David Rushton, and organists James, Matthew and Peter for bringing the evening together. The evening ended with tea and canapés in St Chad’s dining hall.

 

 

 

 

 

Chad’s Christmas Panto

Front-Page

Chad’s is well and truly in the Christmas spirit and what better way to kick off the festive season than with the pantomime.  Completely student led, each year the pantomime showcases the wonders of Chad’s and its exec. Congratulations to the cast who put on such a fantastic show on Friday night and had everyone in the Quad crying with laughter.

   

Vestra Vox Concert

Music, News

An awesome £231.02 was raised at the Vestra Vox concert in Chad’s Quad last week! The money was raised in aid of finding treatment, hospice care and family support for Spinal Muscular Atrophy sufferers in the UK. SMA is a disease that robs people of physical strength. often taking away the ability to walk, eat, or breathe. It is the number one genetic cause of death for infants and 1 in 40 carry the gene that causes the condition! Due to the fact it is relatively common, it is a charity which many hold close to their heart, thus it was such a success that we were able to raise such a considerable amount of money at the concert!

Attendees had a fab night especially those who won the blackberry gin liquor gift set which was kindly donated by Durham Distillery!  Early birds certainly caught the worm as Q-Jump Wristbands for Klute were given out to those who arrived promptly.

The line up included Velvet Riverside, Autofluorescence, Man like AB and Chad’s band, Halcyon. Halcyon played a mix of originals and covers and had the crowd raise the roof to ‘She’s So Lovely’, ‘Boys That Sing’ and ‘Naive’.

Well done to Matthew Prudham our Music Rep, and thanks to Van Mildert for tech support and all Chad’s volunteers!

Bishop David Stancliffe

Front-Page, News,

On Friday, St Andrew’s Day, David Stancliffe, St Chad’s Fellow (and former Bishop of Salisbury) celebrated the 50th anniversary of his priesting, and the 25th of his being ordained bishop. David  presided at a Eucharist at the shrine of St Cuthbert in Durham Cathedral. A number of Chadsians (including our chaplain, David Rushton) were delighted to share the occasion.