Tuesday 7th June may well have been the hottest day of the century for Durham, but that did not stop the Chad’s sportsmen and sportswomen from going down to Maiden Castle and performing fantastically.

With sunscreen and hats abundant, Chadsians prepared themselves to battle it out for their individual trophies as well as for the Festival of Sport title. Whilst we had a wide range of results, it was overwhelmingly clear that we excelled in determination and spirit.

We had excellent success in a huge variety of sports – special mentions must go to the Mixed Lacrosse team, who swept away the opposition and secured the trophy under the leadership of captain, Alex Lavelle. Emily Sambrook-Smith displayed her prowess in yet another field when she took gold in the women’s 100m. Other congratulations are in order to Women’s Football A and Mixed Hockey A for snatching silver medals in their tournaments, Women’s Rugby for coming third, and Women’s Football B for making it to the Shield Finals. This in particular was an amazing showing considering that many of the players had never played before!

Well done to all the other teams for their amazing efforts in that blazing heat, the level of fortitude displayed by every competitor is exactly what Chad’s is all about. Congratulations to Collingwood, who took the trophy once again this year, and thanks to all at Team Durham and St Giles Studios for organising such a successful event.

The first Research Forum of Easter Term on 12 May saw a very good turnout, with members from all three common rooms present.

The evening began with a talk by Jiahao Guo (Department of Modern Languages), who presented on English translations of Chinese literature. Exploring how Chinese idioms in Mo Yan’s works have been lost in the English translation, Jiahao demonstrated how these omissions result in less-rounded characters. Moreover, the translator had embellished the critique of the Chinese political system when compared to Yan’s original texts. Jiahao’s findings suggest that the focus of Yan’s translator was not actually to transmit Chinese culture to an English-speaking audience. Instead, the translations seem to be carefully tailored to the expectations of the intended Western audience. This opens the question of whether the translations are Chinese literature in English, or whether the texts are, in fact, English literature.

Afterwards, Samuel Lindan (Department of Classics) gave his talk on the architectural studies and designs of Italian polymath Leon Battista Alberti, particularly his seminal work De re aedificatoria, finished in 1452 and published in 1485. This work established Alberti’s theory of architecture, and its influence on later Renaissance architects is difficult to over-estimate. Through a visual analysis of a sample of Alberti’s architectural designs, Samuel showed the audience that although Alberti clearly drew heavily on inspiration from the classics, he nevertheless had a keen sense of incorporating contemporary architecture into his works.

This Research Forum was followed by a wine reception, which gave members of the audience a chance to ask the speakers any lingering questions. It was such a success that we plan to continue in future.

Be sure to turn up for the next Research Forum, on 2 June at 6pm in the Williams Library. Lan Dong will present on the influence of music on English child choristers’ lives, while Sam Fearn’s talk will explore how discoveries in physics can sometimes drive mathematical research. All are welcome.

The nave of Durham’s majestic Cathedral was packed with the members and friends of St. Chad’s College on Sunday night. Chadsians past and present came from around the world to celebrate the formal installation of Dr. Margaret Masson as the College’s tenth Principal. It was an incredibly poignant and moving service, heralding the beginning of a new chapter in the College’s history.

Dr. Masson was appointed in March, and is the first woman in the College’s 112 year history to become Principal. She selected the hymns, readings and music to be used in this special service. The College Choir were in superb voice, accompanying all of the hymns, and began the service with a subtle and gentle Introit from John Rutter (God be in my Head), and closing the Service with a rousing rendition of Parry’s mighty Coronation anthem I Was Glad (a setting of Psalm 122).

Talented trumpeter, and first year Economics student, Tom Rickard accompanied postgraduate Millie Lawrence with a moving recital of Handel’s Eternal Source of Light Divine; and former JCR Vice-President Jordan Smith (a Chad’s student from 2012 – 2015) returned to his spiritual home to play his saxophone.

He chose to perform Vienna by Billy Joel, and introduced his piece by saying how it reflects upon our new Principal, and the College community as a whole. He said that Dr. Masson always finds the time to support Chad’s students in whatever they are doing, and that she embodied the Chad’s spirit of community, respect and looking out for one another.

These sentiments were echoed by the sermon (which can be read here). Delivered by the Baroness Sherlock (an Honorary Fellow of the College, and a close personal friend of Dr. Masson), she spoke about how our new Principal would “step up and lead a community of learning”.

The theme of community – which all Chadsians hold dear – ran throughout the sermon. Lady Sherlock emphasised the way Dr. Masson will play a key role in helping all of its members flourish, develop, care for the wider world and become better citizens. Her sermon epitomised the very ethos and vision of the College, and it was incredibly powerful.

The formal installation process was led by Professor Jonathan Blackie, the Chairman of the Governing Body. He asked Dr. Masson to “affirm the mission of St. Chad’s College” and to “accept the commission to… lead the College community”.

Once this was completed, representatives from the JCR, MCR, SCR, alumni, College staff, the Cathedral and the wider University all officially welcomed Dr. Masson to her post, followed by the entire congregation with an enormously loud acclamation of “Margaret, we welcome you!”

The poet Anne Stevenson read her work An Even Shorter History of Nearly Everything (for Bill Bryson) which was inspired by the Cathedral and the surrounding area; and Durham University’s African Drumming Society welcomed Dr. Masson to her post with an uplifting rendition of Kembo Alleluia by Ngoma Vuma Uropa.

Following closing prayers and hymns, Dr. Masson led the procession out of Durham Cathedral to the soaring chords of Widor’s Toccata, brilliantly played by College Organist Dr. Peter Swift. The official celebration may have concluded, but the congregation descended upon St. Chad’s College’s Cassidy Quad and the specially built marquee to continue the celebration with refreshments. This informal party was a fantastic opportunity for old Chadsians to catch-up with their contemporaries and for the current generation of Chadsians to meet their predecessors.

The evening was a great success, and a brilliant way to formally welcome Dr. Masson to the post of Principal. Everyone wishes Dr. Margaret Masson the best of luck for the future.

“Margaret, we welcome you!”

Photography courtesy of Ruthie Brooks (Second year, English and Education) and Poppy Kelham (Third year, Anthropology)

One of the events which dominated St. Chad’s during Epiphany Term was the Junior Common Room (JCR) Elections.

The election season began on 15th February with the hustings for Senior Man and Bar President, and concluded on 13th March, with the hustings for the Officer’s Committee, which includes the Careers and Alumni Officer, the Sponsorship Office, the Outreach Officer, and Governing Body Representative.

With compulsory jokes, and impersonations of the outgoing office-holder in each of the hustings, the month of democracy was accompanied by the occasional opportunity for much-welcomed light-hearted humour.

The month of elections also saw the opportunity for members of the Junior Common Room to engage with the democratic process, whether standing for positions themselves, proposing others for positions, or seconding nominations.

PressComm has exclusively spoken with new Senior Man, Jack Angers, to gauge his views on the process, which he described as both “incredibly rewarding and quite exhausting”. Speaking about his election, he told us that he thought that it was “an honour” and that he “cannot wait to start the job”. In elaboration, Jack told us that: “standing in front of your peers to demonstrate why you are the best candidate for the role is a great experience but certainly a long one.” He also claimed how it is a “pleasure to see so many first year’s going for positions.” He concluded, saying that; “Chad’s is lucky to have a group wanting to get so involved in college life.”

The elections also gave Chadsians the opportunity to propose, and second, fellow Chadsians.

First year psychologist, Charlotte Hall, who also took part in the elections by seconding one of the candidates, has also spoken with PressComm. Charlotte told us; “as a fresher I think it’s easy to forget that the JCR is made up of elected representatives, so I think it was really important that so many of us got involved with the elections, whether that was by standing, seconding someone, or just turning up to husts”.

Cormac Frazer, who is a languages student and stood for Careers and Alumni Officer in the elections, told us that the role is “an important but potentially overlooked one”. Cormac said that he looks forward to continuing the work that has been done over the last year.

As of Monday, the newly-elected Executive Committee, and JCR Officers, have taken office.

The 5th of March brought what many of the members of St Chad’s consider to be the social pinnacle of the year, St Chad’s Day, which forces the pens to be put down and the laptops to be shut for one day just before the Easter break.

As the rabble of horns and pots and pans approached the sore heads of Hatfield, you couldn’t help but feel only pity, as they had just finished their Lion in Winter Ball celebrations the night before. The parade then proceeded to Castle, John’s and finally Cuth’s before returning to main college for a very green breakfast. I can gladly report our Senior Man fended off all opposition in the traditional speed-drinking competition against each JCR President, although J₂O at that time in the morning was somewhat nausea-inducing, apparently.

After the green coloured breakfast, the College convened at the Cathedral for the annual St Chad’s Day Service. Representatives of various aspects of college life placed items to represent their them on the altar, after which followed readings, hymns and reflection on both the College and the part it plays in the lives of everyone associated with it. A special thank you must be extended to everyone for their musical contributions!

The race around the Palace Green at 12 noon was won by David Fairbairn, who now has the honour of dressing as the College goat mascot for the next year.

The early afternoon of Chad’s Day normally provides a lull in an otherwise frantic day, however, the Social Committee had brought some pandemonium to the back garden with the addition of a Holi Festival-style powder paint party shortly after lunch. Once everyone was dusted off, the evening’s festivities began with Family fortunes, Take Me Out and Mr & Mrs Chad’s taking place in the Quad. Our new Mr and Mrs Chad’s are Ollie Griffiths and Helena Morgan – congratulations!

As everyone tucked into their evening meal, the College was transformed once again, with Laser Quest and a ball pit appearing in the back garden, a photo booth in the front foyer and a silent disco in the Quad.

The disco went on until the early hours of the morning, resulting in a very poorly attended breakfast the next day, a sign of another successful Chad’s Day! Roll on 2017!