Bonna reflects on her 17 years at Clare

Can you tell us about your career at Clare and the changes you've seen over the years?

During my time at Clare, there have been many changes: three Masters, two catering managers, five Deans, and two senior tutors, and a number of new positions have been created as the College has grown.

I’ve also witnessed significant infrastructure changes to accommodate this growth. In 2009, Lerner Court was inaugurated by the late Prince Philip, serving as the Chancellor of the University. The dining area and kitchen at Castle End underwent renovations, and, most recently, extensive works have taken place in Old Court. This project has included the addition of the new River Room café and the refurbishment of kitchens and facilities.

Over the years, the Catering Department has competed for the Cambridge University Steward Cup. This is a biennial inter-college culinary competition, showcasing the talents of the chefs and waiters who work within the busy college catering departments. I was delighted to be the first winner of the Front of House category for cocktail making and napkin folding. I was also a member of the team that won first place in ‘cook and serve’ and ‘la parade de chefs’. Over the years I have entered many other categories from baking cakes to street food competitions and I have continued playing my part in retaining the Steward Cup for the College since 2011.

What do you like most about working at Clare?

I love working with and meeting lots of different people. I have built strong and positive relationships with the fellowship, students, and staff. I like the sense of community at Clare and was proud to join my colleagues in running the Race for Life for 3 years as the ‘Clare Cruisers’ and ‘All Sparkles for Clare.’ Together with others, in 2013 I organised a fundraising initiative, generating £2,500 for the Typhoon Haiyan relief fund that aided the Philippines. We achieved this by selling sweets and raffling Philippine products within the College.

Less enjoyable are the last-minute changes to bookings that require
dropping everything due to other events taking higher priority. Fortunately, my years of experience have honed my ability to adapt swiftly to such changes, with minimal stress!

What are some of the more challenging aspects of your role?

Formal Hall perhaps has the most challenges. At these events, I have observed all different forms of behaviour from students. There are those that perhaps don’t know the etiquette at a formal dinner and are constantly on their mobile phones, instead of chatting and getting to know the person sat next to them. Other students like to do silly stunts, I guess thinking it will make them more popular. And there are always last minute changes and late comers, but it’s all in a day’s work!

Are there any student cohorts that stick in your mind as particularly memorable? If so which year group and why?

I have a good relationship with students who matriculated from 2008 till just before the 2020 pandemic. Sorry I cannot choose a favourite cohort: I’ll be in trouble if I choose 1 or 2 years! I am known as their ‘sweet fairy’, engaging in conversations during exam periods and being there for both their triumphs and challenges.

You must hear some interesting things from students, staff and Fellows. Are there any funny conversations that you remember?

There are lots of interesting things that have happened over the years. Some things cannot be shared – what happens in Hall stays in Hall – but here are a few anecdotes:

I remember a society/club dinner was held in Hall and the attendees made quite a mess. The Catering Manager called the students back early the next day to clean up the mess they’d created. They had to clean the walls, tables, chairs and floor. It made me laugh out loud, watching their efforts at cleaning; they did their best!

In 2010 and 2011, a group of students did the Mongol Rally from UK to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, after graduation – 10,000 miles of chaos across mountain and deserts, along steep dirt tracks in an old vehicle. For the first year the students bought a secondhand fire engine truck and the following year they bought a second-hand Renault 5. Both year groups reached Ulaanbaatar successfully after encountering lots of fun and scary circumstances along the way. I avidly followed their progress and trials on social media, and was very relieved when they made it safely home.

A group of undergrads from Clare was invited to a formal dinner in Oxford. One of our students climbed the college wall and when asked to come down by college staff, the student retaliated with “and who are you?”, to which the reply was, “I am the Master of this College!”

What are you most looking forward to in the year ahead at Clare?

I always look forward to General Admission day. Meeting the proud
parents and families of our graduands is a great feeling. The culmination of their hard work has paid off and seeing these young men and women prepare to embark on the next chapter of their lives fills me with pride. I’m grateful to have played a part in their journey so far.

I also thoroughly enjoy reunions and reconnecting with former students. It’s a pleasure to catch up and reminisce, witnessing the transformation from the first time I met them as young undergraduates to the mature professionals they are today.

Throughout my 17 years at Clare, I’ve encountered numerous challenges and experienced both happy and sad moments. Regardless of the hurdles presented, I’ve consistently found ways to overcome them.

I am proud to say that when former students come to visit the College, almost all of them ask the Porters’ Lodge if Bonna is still around. Some will email me beforehand to let me know that they are coming for a visit. I stay in contact with many students after they graduate (particularly the medical students who have become doctors) and follow their progress with great interest no matter where in the world they are.

I wish all alumni well and hope to see you back again before I retire in the summer of 2025. Upon retirement I will be moving to Lincolnshire, but will maintain close contact with the College, especially the Choir who I follow avidly.