Johnian Society Day, the Johnian Society’s flagship event, took place this year on Saturday 24 September. Alumni and their guests were welcomed with afternoon tea in the Old Divinity School and enjoyed catching up with one another over teas, coffees and delicious scones.
It was a pleasure to see old friends gathered together in the Central Hall. This was the first time the event could be held inside College since 2019, and so the focus of the day was on the College buildings, which form the backbone of College life. At the tea, the Johnian Society’s brand new silk scarf was launched, which features a design from current student Isabella Bottle (2021) celebrating the architecture of the College.
After the tea, there was a panel discussion entitled The Architecture of St John’s: looking back to look forward. The discussion centred on the planned and in-progress enhancements to the College estate and grounds, including the new Community Hub development.
Ably moderated by the Chair of the Johnian Society, Claire Griffiths (1985), the session began with a presentation from the Master, Heather Hancock (1984). Heather gave an overview of the College’s strategic masterplan for enhancing the College site. She explained that the masterplan has a 20-year timeframe in a 100-year context, and that a suite of projects would be undertaken to achieve its objectives.
As Cambridge ‘pivots west’, this masterplan will also help to improve collegiality on the western side of College and priority projects have been identified including creating a new Porters’ Lodge at the Northampton Street entrance to College and developing a new graduate campus to the west of the College.
Heather explained that the first two projects which had been selected to start the enhancements were improving accommodation for visitors, guests and alumni, which has been completed, and redeveloping the buttery and bar and creating a café.
It was this last project, the Community Hub development, that the other two speakers on the panel were to focus on.
Architect Paula Mejia-Wright – from MCW Architects, the company who designed the Community Hub – was next to present her slides to the alumni audience, and she gave an in-depth talk about the aims of this project and the technical aspects of its build.
Paula was able to inform alumni about some of the challenges they had faced, and solved, so far and to explain more about the technical elements of the design such as the green wall and unique roof.
The panel presentations culminated with Domestic Bursar Helen Murley (2018) revealing to members of the society what they could expect from the Community Hub when it opens. From the quality of the coffee, to the comfort of the new bar chairs, alumni got a sneak preview of what will be on offer in the new hub.
After the presentations alumni had a chance to ask the panelists their questions before heading off to change for the evening’s festivities.
The evening began with a candlelit drinks reception in the Old Combination Room before the gong summoned alumni to dinner in the Hall. After everyone had taken their seats, Claire Griffiths chaired the Johnian Society AGM and the minutes of the last meeting were ratified by resounding cries of ‘aye’ from the members.
After dinner, the Master introduced the Johnian Society Vice-President, Mark Wells (1981), who gave a speech and proposed a toast to the Johnian Society. Among other things, Mark’s speech touched on overcoming ‘imposter syndrome’ when first becoming a member of St John’s, and the sporting prowess and sense of community of the College. It was clear that Mark’s speech resonated with many in the audience, and he concluded the evening with the immortal words, ‘once a Johnian, always a Johnian’.
Visit Johnian Hub to watch the panel discussion.
Next year will be the centenary of the Johnian Society and the committee looks forward to celebrating this momentous occassion at the next Johnian Society Day on Saturday 23 September 2023.