A memorable Johnian Society Day with a talk from bestselling author Ben Macintyre on famous spies, as well as a classical concert led by recent graduate musicians, was enjoyed by a huge crowd of society members.
The society welcomed Johnians of all generations back to College on Saturday 27 September for this annual gathering, which culminated in a dinner in Hall followed by a catch-up over drinks in the Bar.
The day began with tea and coffee in the Central Hall of the Old Divinity School, before attendees went upstairs to hear from Ben Macintyre giving insights from his career writing about espionage, war and the hidden lives of some of history’s most intriguing spies. The talk can be viewed below.
He shared stories from some of his 12 books, including tales about Eddie Chapman, known as Agent Zig Zag, a professional criminal who volunteered to spy for Nazi Germany during World War II but defected back to the British side after being caught parachuting into Cambridgeshire.
Ben also discussed Operation Mincemeat, a British intelligence operation during World War II to deceive the Germans about the Allied invasion plans. The operation involved using a dead body equipped with false documents to make the Germans believe the invasion was targeting Greece and Sardinia instead of Sicily.
His book on the mission has now been adapted into a musical running on Broadway and in the West End.
And he revealed details about the work of Russian double agent Oleg Gordievsky, whose intelligence helped de-escalate tensions during the Cold War.
He also highlighted Sir Harry Hinsley (1937), a former Master at St John’s, and his role in Bletchley Park during World War II.
After a book signing and refreshments back in the Central Hall, where Ben’s new book The Siege was available to purchase, alumni enjoyed a classical concert from violinist Imaan Kashim (2022), who will shortly begin her MPhil in Music at St John’s where she is the inaugural Louis Singer and Adele Centanni Scholar. She was accompanied by pianist Alexander Robson (2022), who was the College’s Herbert Howells Organ Scholar. He is currently the Organ Scholar at Westminster cathedral. They performed pieces from Johannes Brahms’s Violin Sonata No. 2 in A major, Op 100, and Benjamin Britten’s Suite for Violin and Piano, Op 6.
As a soloist, Imaan has appeared in the Elgar Room at the Royal Albert Hall, performed Lou Harrison’s Violin and Cello Double Concerto with the Cambridge Gamelan Society, and, as winner of the 2024 University Concerto Competition, played the Bruch Violin Concerto with both the Cambridge University Orchestra under Natalia Luis-Bassa and the Southgate Symphony Orchestra under Darren Bloom. She has performed for both King Charles and the Swedish Ambassador to the UK.
Alexander is currently the organ Scholar at Westminster Cathedral where he regularly accompanies the cathedral choir and assists in teaching the choristers. He played at the funeral of the Duchess of Kent. He is also the incoming Organ Fellow at Sinfonia Smith Square. Before university, Alexander was the Organ Scholar at St George’s Chapel, Windsor, performing at various occasions attended by members of the royal family.
The concert can be viewed at the bottom of this page.
As evening approached, alumni gathered for a drinks reception back in Central Hall. The sound of the gong then summoned everyone to dinner in Hall.
Once seated, Dr Nigel Snaith (1979), Johnian Society Committee Chair, gave the welcome and AGM. After dinner Dr Anthony Freeling (1975), Johnian Society Committee President, gave a speech touching on the history of women at the College, followed by Professor Steve Edgley, outgoing President of the College. Steve updated guests on College news, including the delivery of the College’s 20 year masterplan for ensuring living, studying and working spaces to keep up with the changing demands of education, learning and research. He detailed work being done to house all undergraduates on the main College site as well as the creation of a mini campus at Mount Pleasant with 130 postgraduate rooms and the refurbishment of more than 90 rooms on Portugal Street.
Steve also updated diners on the recent success of the Telethon fundraising campaign and progress towards funding the endowment for the Dobson Free Places scheme. And he outlined news of the installation of the new Chapel organ and the stunning new gardens designed by Arne Maynard being created at River Court, between Cripps and New Court.
The evening continued in the Bar, where Johnians continued to mingle and share memories.
Photos by Nordin Ćatić (excluding the final photo). To view the full gallery from Johnian Society Day, log into Johnian Hub, or register if you don’t have an account. We’ve done our best to remove those who opted out of being photographed, but please let us know if you spot any photos that should be deleted.
