Churchill College celebrated the 50th anniversary of its official opening with a dinner for over 160 members and partners in its dining hall in the presence of His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh.
The College is also celebrating the anniversary of the official opening with a special display featuring materials from the College archive, which is open to the public this week.
On 5 June 1964 the College pulled out all the stops to welcome HRH The Duke of Edinburgh to perform the official opening of the College.
His Royal Highness returned to the College last night (25 June 2014) to dine with members and partners to officially mark the end of the College’s 50th Anniversary celebrations and Appeal. The dinner, once again, took place in the College’s magnificent dining hall - the largest in a Cambridge College.
The display includes rare newsreel footage, audio recordings captured on the official opening day itself plus later recollections including: Sir Winston Churchill himself speaking of his hopes for the College which would bear his name; the hasty transformation of the College from a building site to a place fit to welcome a Prince (piloting his own helicopter); a porter watching for his moment to hoist the College flag and the recollections of Natasha Squire, drafted in to devise the menu and dreaming up the idea of a cake in the shape of the Dining Hall.
Visitors are also be able to experience the ambience of the 1960s, with an installation of an original student room featuring functional and beautiful furniture designed exclusively for the College by the celebrated designer Robin Day.
Natalie Adams, College Archivist, said: “This display is about Churchill's pride in its history. It is also a moment to celebrate and to give thanks.”
Over £5 million has been raised through the 50th Anniversary Appeal for a new residential court thanks to the generosity of donors and alumni.
Building will commence in the autumn. The College will also take this opportunity to record its profound gratitude for the hard work and inspirational leadership of Sir David Wallace as his tenure as Master draws to an end.
The display is open to the public until 27 June in the Junior Common Room during College business hours (9am – 6pm). Please visit the Porters’ Lodge for details. For further information please contact: archives@chu.cam.ac.uk.
Churchill College celebrates 50 years since its official opening with a Royal visit and special exhibition.
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