Even older (800 years for the Magna Carta), on the occasion of Emma Black Tie #2

There seems to be a black tie event once a term.  When we were here last May, it was a (formal) guest night.  This year it was the annual Gomes Lecture and Dinner. which celebrates the College's connections with the USA and Harvard and the late Minister at the Memorial Church there, Peter Gomes.

The speaker was Linda Colley (Professor of History at Princeton) speaking on "A Changing Magna Carta:  Memory, Inventions and Politics."  The talk was quite interesting, focusing on how the Magna Carta and what it means has been co-opted both locally and internationally (including by the US and our federal constituion) since it was written. The Magna Carta's 800th anniversary is this year so it is in general receiving a lot of attention.

After dinner there was a high table on steroids event.  Reception with champage in the Old Library,  dinner in the Hall (but with a seating plan, a choir singing the Latin grace, a fancier menu written in French rather than English, and fancier academic doctoral robes involving scarlet over the normal black), and then dessert in the Gallery (a totally awesome room, painted deep green and hung with portraits, with one huge long table covered in silver swag ) rather than the Parlour.

Unlike the unexpected "Black tie and gown" dinner in May (which I thought we blogged about, but looking back I guess not), I came prepared with clothes this time. Given that academics are fashion-challenged, the skirt I already owned was fine.  Mark didn't get to come to this one, so didn't have to rent a tux.  The guests were some Fellows, largely interesting alums, as well as seemingly rich and/or titled people.  A crib sheet of guests was sent out in advance.  I was seated across from an Emma Fellow who is a practicing vet and seated next to: "Mrs Edna Hunnable Schneider is a friend of Peter Gomes, the Rossanos and Professor Ffowcs Williams. Her late husband, Tom Hunnable, was like Professor Ffowcs Williams a governor of Felsted School and imported Volvo cars into the UK. She has since married Rolf Schneider, who followed his father in working for Lobb’s bootmakers in St James’s Street, where he was given charge of the Royal account and became a director of the firm."  They seemed to be of the rich variety, owning horses that compete in the Olympics and numerous residences in the country as well as London.

Righty Ho

Another weekend, another expedition.  Today we took the bus to Anglesey Abbey, Gardens and Lode Mill, a National Trust Property.  We also joined/revived our National Trust membership for the year. Although the weather forecast was iffy, Mark was informed that there are no bad weather days, just bad clothes.  So we set off. It was the seemingly usual mix of sun and clouds with high winds and occasional rain and temperatures in the 50-60s range. The property was huge and we spent about 5 hours there, wandering the grounds and visiting the house and having tea on deck chairs in the garden.  The Lord's mother was actually an American oil heiress, all very Downton Abbey.  As Mark has noted in his post, they do amazing lawns here.  Hedges too.  We seem to be between flower seasons, bulbs are mostly gone (there was an awesome hyacinth formal garden that we just missed) and perennials are not quite there (irises and roses are just starting).  The mill was open as it was National Mills Weekend and they even turned it on while we were there.

Yesterday Steve (my host) took me to lunch at Emmanuel College (aka Emma).  We sat at the high table although unlike other colleges the table isn't actually elevated.  You start in the cloak room where all the academic gowns are kept, although those aren't used at lunch. They have a buffet or you can order off a set menu (soup, main, dessert). Then we retired upstairs for coffee.  Emma is where I will be a Fellow when I return in January, and can eat there for free every lunch and dinner (if I could survive that).  Steve said Emma  used to be known for rugby and drinking but its academic star rose when Diana and Charles were breaking up as the Master was an expert on constitutional crises and was on the news everynight, giving the College loads of free publicity.  After lunch we walked around the lovely grounds which includes a pond with ducks and currently ducklings, and a modern building called the trolley.  It is really amazing how one walks in from the main drag of the city into this walled enclave of greenery and quiet.

My big dilemma is that Steve has invited us to go to a Emma Feast, which are very special and won't happen when we return next year.  The only problem is that it is black tie.  I brought only one dress which is more work-appropriate, and only casual sandals.  Hence my dilemma, what to wear!  Mark has never worn black tie, not even for our wedding.  That is easier as one can rent, but now Nicole is flying in during this event.  Still deciding, maybe Susan (who is staying at our house) can fedex me some of my clothes!  Hmmm, we just looked and that will cost like $200, guess I'll go frock shopping tomorrow!

Meanwhile, we have just watched Eurovision, which the other people returning to Cambridge at the bus stop alerted us to.