A new boathouse, lectures to hear again and Chariots of Fire

Cambridge's newest boathouse on the River Cam was opened in a special ceremony as part of the Alumni Weekend of celebrations, reunions and revelations.

Fitzwilliam College celebrated the culmination of a £500,000 appeal to raise funds to replace their ageing boathouse.

150 supporters attended the ceremony in which Professor Brian Johnson, former Master of Fitzwilliam College, unveiled a plaque and gave a short speech of thanks. During this, the College Chaplain, the Reverend Jutta Brueck offered a prayer for the well-being of those who row and blessed the building. Members had travelled from as far away as Australia, Canada and the US to be present at the occasion where they enjoyed refreshments and renewing friendships in late autumn sunshine.

Donor boards commemorating more than 170 individual benefactors and four associated societies who had donated to the project were on display prior to being permanently mounted upstairs.

Although not fully complete, racks, boats and oars were in place for five veteran crews to take to the water after the brief opening ceremony.

The event was just one of many events last weekend to mark the 17th Alumni Weekend, when more than 1,200 former Cambridge students returned to the University for reunions, lectures, debates, exhibitions, college open days and celebration. Click the links above right for more Information on the Cambridge Alumni website and the chance to listen to some of the lectures again.

It coincided with the 16th annual Chariots of Fire relay race which this year passed through three Colleges for the first time. Almost 400 teams of six runners, no fewer than 40 made up of University staff and students, ran through Trinity College grounds as usual but then went right through Clare College's Old Court and round the back lawn of King's College before finishing each 1.7 mile lap on Queens' Green. Over the years the event has raised more than £500,000 for charity, this year's beneficiary being Arthur Rank Hospice at Home. The Cambridge University Hare and Hounds were beaten into second place this year by a team from Glassworks Gym. Gonville and Caius were the fastest college team.

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