Page 10 - A4 Journal 2019

The Master’s Year

The “compulsory” group photograph taken in the quadrangle before the informal dinner in Downing College
Saturday afternoon was spent as free time – some rested, some shopped and others went to museums, walked around
Cambridge or did whatever they fancied doing until it was time to prepare for the traditional black tie dinner, which this year
was held in the splendid medieval banqueting hall of Queens’ College.

The early arrivals for the banquet can be seen on the left, ably assembled for a group
photograph by the Clerk, on the “mathematical” bridge across the river Cam, which is the
way in to the medieval part of Queens’ College from the modernist buildings on the other
side of the river.

Following the champagne reception in the quadrangle and old kitchen we sat down to a
magnificent three-course banquet in the splendid and historic setting of the medieval Old
Hall. The Master’s Guests of Honour were Dr Brian Cox and his wife Dr Margaret Cox and
he welcomed them in his speech, which went on to say:
“The Mistress and I would like to thank you all for joining us for this dinner and weekend.
This without doubt is my favourite hall out of all the halls in the 31 colleges that make up the University of Cambridge. When I
read Interdisciplinary Design (founded by Ove Arup) here at Cambridge, part of our studies involved coming here to Queens,
where we had dinner and held a combined lecture with the cohorts from the Construction Engineering Management Master’s
degree course – founded by Ray O’Rourke. There is therefore is a strong construction connection between this college and
my own college of Wolfson. As soon as I set foot in this wonderful place, it left me with what I hope is the same impression
you all have this evening, the wow factor! I am sure you will agree that it is truly a wonderful venue in the heart of this historic
college, which dates from 1448. Jessica and I hope you enjoy the food and wines this evening.”
Following the meal we were entertained by
an acapella group from the choristers of St
John’s College Chapel, who, departing from
their normal ecclesiastical repertoire, sang
more modern close harmony settings of
popular songs of yesteryear, to the great
enjoyment and appreciation of all present.
Then it was time for the Master to say a few
more words. He started his speech by
thanking the choristers for such a wonderful
performance and then went on to express his
grateful thanks to the President at Queens,
Lord John Eatwell of Stratton St Margaret for
his kind permission for the Company to dine The St John’s Singers
in the College and to the wonderful catering
staff from the college.

He went on to say: “This year, the University of Cambridge is 810 years old, it was founded in 1209 and therefore shares a
similar timeline of history with the establishment of the Guilds in London. The Weavers Company is the oldest known Livery
Company in the City of London, having received its charter in 1155, when Henry II (the first Plantagenet King) was crowned
only the previous year upon the death of King Stephen. However, in 1209 the first London Bridge was completed near its
present site (there having been earlier medieval bridges, and this lasted until 1831 when it was rebuilt – only to be sold to an
American (who, I am told, believed that he was purchasing Tower Bridge).

Page 10 | The Journal of the Worshipful Company of Constructors | Autumn 2019