Garden Party and Marquee at the Bumps

On Saturday, 17 June, St Catharine’s hosted its annual Garden Party for Alumni and friends of the College.

The morning began with an engaging talk by the Master, Professor Sir Mark Welland, on “What has nanotechnology done for you?”, held in the McGrath Centre. You can read about associated work in the recent edition of Research Horizons.

After the talk and the following drinks reception, guests moved through to the Hall for a buffet lunch. Sir Mark addressed the 147 guests, the oldest matriculating in 1942, highlighting College news from the past year including Fellows’ promotions, undergraduate applications increasing by a third for 2017, and St Catharine’s athletes representing Oxford and Cambridge against Yale and Harvard. There was then a concert organised and performed by current students in the College Chapel.

Many of our guests then travelled to the river at Fen Ditton to join other Alumni, students, and parents and friends of St Catharine’s College Boat Club to watch the last day of the May Bumps from our marquee. On such a gorgeous summer’s day, we were delighted to have Jack’s Gelato and Caffé Mobile providing refreshments while those gathered on the bank watched an exciting afternoon of racing.

I was pleased to see so many of our Members and friends both at College and by the river. We look forward to welcoming you again next year.

Deborah Loveluck (2007; Fellow & Director of Development)