We welcomed supporters and friends of the College on Wednesday 24 September to Lambeth Palace in London for the Dobson Free Places Drinks Reception. Guests enjoyed an excusive tour of the Palace before returning for a glass of champagne in the old Library which many felt was oddly reminiscent of the College Hall in style.
Highlights of the tour included learning about the history of the Great Hall, which has been demolished and rebuilt twice. The first time was during the Civil War when the hall was destroyed and individual bricks were sold off as souvenirs. Then in 1942 the north end of the Great Hall got a direct hit during the Blitz and was rebuilt in the 1950s. In spite of its ancient appearance, the hall is a really good copy of a medieval building with solid foundations rooted in our history. We also heard about the refurbishment of the Palace that has taken place under Archbishop Carey, including beautiful new paintings and restored ceilings and windows. The Archbishop’s Coat of Arms and the office holder’s insignia are visible in various places, indicating improvements and adjustments made by each Archbishop.
The Master, Heather Hancock (1984), greeted guests and highlighted how each attendee is part of a remarkable community of Johnians whose generosity is opening doors and shaping brighter futures for generations of students to come. We are now going into the third year of the pilot scheme, with seven students already supported, with five more to come this academic year. The Master mentioned that we are now entering the final phase of our campaign. There are 18 months remaining to meet our targets and secure the final £3 million of matched funding. With continued support, we can open the gates of opportunity even wider – ensuring that the brightest minds, regardless of background, can thrive at St John’s. Together, we can make the Dobson Free Places scheme a legacy of inclusion and excellence.
Mark Onyett (1990) shared of why he had decided to give to the Dobson Free Places scheme and how he had seen firsthand how great an impact your gift can have on students attending St John’s. Free Places recipients, Mustafa Sayfi (2024) and Evangeline Dillon (2023) talked of their experience receiving a Free Place and how it enabled them to flourish at John’s, allowing them to take part in extracurriculars as well as focus better on their studies.
The Dobson Free Places award lets me focus fully on my studies, enjoy university life, and gain real financial independence. A year ago, I worried about turning my offer at Cambridge down because of the cost — but thanks to this support, I never had to think about that again. – Mustafa Sayfi (2024, AMES)
All photos credited to Owen Billcliffe