The Queen's College Record 2023

Credit: David Fisher
STUDENT CLUBS AND SOCIETIES
1341 SOCIETY
Libby Harris, President
This year saw a greatly successful year for
the College’s 1341 Society, a society that
fundraises for College student funds,
including the Sports Fund, Hardship Fund,
and the Book Grant scheme. With a busy
beginning to Michaelmas Term, a new
Committee was elected to take up the
mantle: Libby Harris as President, Evelyn
Turner as Vice-President, and Sandhya
1341 Committee
Das Thuraisingham as Treasurer. Our
renowned Michaelmas Luncheon saw many guests, new and old, enjoy the fabulous
food provided by the College catering staff and accompanied by the Eglesfield Music
Society A cappella group. Our Hilary Term Luncheon entertained 70 guests, returning
to almost pre-pandemic levels of attendance. Guests at our Trinity Term Garden
Party in the Fellows’ Garden enjoyed Pimm’s and many afternoon tea treats, and
the thunderstorm mid-way through made it a truly British garden party! Through
these events, we are delighted to say that this year we have raised over £2,500 for
the College’s student funds.
Reports and College Activities
THE ADDISON SOCIETY
Freddy Foulston, Co-President
This year, in accordance with the values of its eponymous founder, the Addison
Debating Society sought to consolidate its reputation as a bulwark of free speech. In
the present era of cancel culture, the society endeavoured to confront and challenge
controversial views rather than shy away from them. This core remit was reflected
in our guest speakers.
For our Michaelmas Term dinner, we welcomed backbencher Sir Desmond Swayne
MP. The initial consternation of the JCR, in part justified by some of Desmond’s less
attractive media attention in recent years, was swiftly allayed by his enthusiastic
willingness to engage with (though not necessarily answer) every question that came
his way during the event. Even the most antagonistic students could not help but
respect Desmond’s endurance of a three-hour barrage of questioning. It was worldaffirming
to see Queen’s students jousting with the speaker on such matters as
the Government’s mishandling of the pandemic, the fallout of Brexit, and the war
between Russia and Ukraine.
College Record 2023 | The Queen’s College 55