Beaufort Society

Souvent me Souvient

The support of legacies has allowed the College to flourish over the last five centuries, since Lady Margaret’s founding bequest. In 2009 the College established the Beaufort Society, named in honour of our Foundress, to thank those generous and far-sighted individuals who have remembered St John’s in their will. This community of friends continues to thrive and grow each year, enjoying a close relationship with the College.

My husband and I believe passionately in education and want to do something practical for future generations. That is why we are leaving a gift to the College in our wills. The Beaufort Society is much more than a way of keeping in touch with St John’s. It is a unique family community, and through it we’ve made new friends, all with a common interest: the College.
Dr Heidi Doughty OBE (1983)

Membership benefits

Members and their guests are invited to two exclusive annual events in College. The autumn meeting typically includes drinks on arrival, formal lunch in Hall and a range of optional afternoon activities, such as tours, musical recitals and lectures from Fellows. The day is rounded off with afternoon tea before heading to Chapel for Evensong. The spring gathering is a smaller, more informal event, the format of which varies from a buffet lunch in College to evening drinks.

These festivities keep members in touch with life at St John’s and provide them with the opportunity to get to know one another.

Our motto

Souvent me Souvient, usually translated ‘I often remember’, is the Beaufort family’s motto. It can also be thought of as ‘Forget me Not’, which is why a tiny blue flower appears with Lady Margaret’s white daisy – the marguerite – in the decoration surrounding the College arms on the Great Gate.

This is a fitting motto for the Beaufort Society; celebrating and remembering our connections with St John’s while looking forwards to the future.

The Society’s emblem

The simple white and gold marguerite appears throughout the College, from above the Great Gate to the drainpipes in Chapel Court.

As a small gesture of our appreciation, members are given a beautiful silver pin in the shape of a marguerite when they join the Society.

Join the Beaufort Society

Tell us about your intentions for a gift in your will

What is your name?*
First Last
In which year did you matriculate (if applicable)?
What is your email address?*
What is your phone number?
Please select an option as appropriate:
Please provide any further detail:
In recognition of your gift you will automatically be welcomed as a member of the Beaufort Society, and will be invited to its events and included in its mailings. If you would prefer not to become a member of the Society, please indicate below as appropriate.
- I do not wish to become a member of the Beaufort Society
- I wish my legacy to remain anonymous

Find out more

If you are interested in more information about leaving a legacy to St John’s and joining the Beaufort Society, please contact Emma Talibudeen by email at beaufortsociety@joh.cam.ac.uk or phone on 01223 338605.

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The Beaufort Society features regularly in the Johnian magazine, the Marguerite and on the blog:

Posted on Nov 30

2 min read

Beaufort Society Annual Meeting 2021

Members of the Beaufort Society enjoyed a talk by Dr Heidi Doughty OBE and a series of activities including a guided tour of the College architecture with Professor Deborah Howard.

Beaufort Society Events & News