The Chancellor of the University of Cambridge, His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh, was in Cambridge this week to preside over a ceremony to admit recent major donors to the University into the Cambridge Guild of Benefactors.

Earlier he had attended a lunch held at St John’s College to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the MPhil in International Relations. Each year the course admits officers in the armed services on secondment, who study alongside civilian students.

The Chancellor then visited the newly planted 800 Wood on the outskirts of Cambridge near Madingley village.

800 Wood has been planted on former arable land to celebrate the 800th Anniversary of the University The ten-hectare new native woodland has been planted adjacent to Madingley Wood, an ancient woodland designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

More than 15,000 trees have been planted, making it the largest planting project ever undertaken by the University.

A woodland path in the shape of a figure of eight runs through the new wood continuing the 800 theme. The woodland is on a hillside with views east across to Ely which will be retained as the trees mature. On a clear day Ely Cathedral can easily be seen.

The public will have access to the wood during daylight hours.

Accompanied by the Vice-Chancellor, the Chancellor was greeted by the Lord Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire, Mr Hugh Duberly, and the newly-appointed High Sheriff of Cambridgeshire, Lady de Ramsay. The Vice-Chancellor presented Michael Bienias, Director of Estate Management, and Rachel Buckingham-Howard, the division’s Rural Surveyor who spearheaded the project.

After a guided tour of 800 Wood the Chancellor planted an oak tree to mark the occasion.

Later, to a trumpet fanfare, His Royal Highness processed with 43 members of the Guild of Cambridge Benefactors into the Senate House for a ceremony to induct new members of the Guild.

The Choir of Selwyn College, trumpeters and a student harpist performed at the ceremony, which takes place each April to thank individuals and companies who have given substantially to the University and Colleges.

This year 14 new Benefactors were admitted to the Guild bringing the total to 150 individuals or organisations.

In her Invocation at the ceremony the Vice-Chancellor said: "To be a Benefactor to our great university requires not only financial generosity but also a generosity of spirit, faith in the future, an appetite for dissent and discovery, and a certain unease with the status quo."

"Donors to Cambridge give because they share our passion for education and research; our commitment to excellence; and our values. They give because our ambitions for Cambridge resonate with theirs."

The day ended with a drinks reception featuring entertainment by students from the University Dancesport team, fresh from their success at the national ballroom dancing championships. Dinner in honour of the Benefactors was held at King's College attended by senior members of the University and Colleges.

 

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