40 Issues of Clare News
Celebrating 40 issues of Clare News, which began in 1996, below are some of the key highlights across the last few decades.
1996
The 1996 inaugural issue is packed with stories on the College and its community.
Arguably the most dramatic features William Oates (1992), who was one of four students captured and held hostage in Indonesia by the separatist Free Papua Movement. While elsewhere, early improvements to Old Court and Memorial Court were taking place, including the installation of computer networking in most rooms across the College sites and the removal of gas fires in
student rooms.
2001
In 2001, the Clare Partnership for Schools was launched across three schools in Tower Hamlets, which we continue to be linked with in the wider University Access Scheme.
The Clare Partnership aimed to widen participation in higher education, and today we see the results of those early initiatives as more and more state school pupils, and those from under-represented backgrounds, see Cambridge as a possibility. The issue also announced the news that Robert Mair (1968) was elected as the new Master for Jesus College.
2003
In June 2003, Sir David Attenborough attended the Members’ Open Day as the keynote speaker. This issue contains an interview with Sir David in anticipation of the event.
“Without doubt that personal allegiance is connected with the fact that the majority of us came to Clare at a time in our lives when we were most open to, and appreciative of, the wonders and excitements of the world.”
2003
The first pages of this issue are filled with the words of the new Master, Professor Tony Badger, fresh into the role when the News was sent out.
He sets out his vision for Clare, the main challenges facing higher education and the opportunities he sees.
He stressed the importance of undergraduate teaching and support to complement the world-class reputation of the University’s research, a message we strongly echo today.
2006
2006 takes a fond look back at 20 years of the Forbes Mellon Library, with librarian Anne Hughes.
While much of the structure of the library, and it seems the
décor – the article mentions an upcoming renovation – remained the same as when it opened, the additional functionality needed,
particularly in terms of digital connectivity, highlighted how the use of libraries had changed over those 20 years.
2009
Lerner Court, which completed Clare’s historic city-centre site, was finished in 2009 and officially opened by the then Chancellor of the University and Visitor to Clare College, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh.
The issue shows photos from this historic occasion. Lerner Court cost £8.5 million to build, entirely funded by donations. Today, it plays a vital role in accommodating students, hosting College functions and generating conferencing revenue.
2013
Sporting success leads the 2013 Clare News, with the Women's 1st boat going Head of the River in the May Bumps.
They bumped Pembroke, Newnham, Jesus and Downing to win "Double Blades" and claim the headship. The boat was the Penny Sweet, named for Penny Vincent-Sweet (1976), who was an Olympic oarswoman in 1980 and a previous headship captain. 2013 also saw the College top the rankings in rowing participation, under the stewardship of Boat Club President, Dr Nigel Woodcock.
2020
An icy picture frames the summer edition of Clare News, the second issue in the redesigned series.
This was also our first issue to appear in a responsive digital platform, allowing flexibility for readers. The cover feature is the article One Strange Rock, an interview with documentarian and filmmaker, Alice Jones (2001).
"I remember standing on the Kazakh Steppe... waiting for an astronaut to fall."
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