What do an Olympic gold medallist, an Oscar-winning actress and the scientist who first captured the structure of DNA all have in common? They all went to Newnham College, Cambridge - and this ground-breaking institution will celebrate them all this summer, along with the many other remarkable women to have passed through its doors over the past century and a half.
The two-day festival will see a starry list of Newnham’s top academics and former students return to salute Newnham’s history. With talks, performances, and all kinds of activities, not to mention the beautiful grounds to explore and award-winning architecture, there’s something here to inspire everyone.
The event blends ground-breaking ideas with family fun. You can check out a new short film about DNA pioneer Rosalind Franklin. The kids can get messy taking part in arts and crafts. You can hear the latest revelations about black holes from the college’s own resident expert or stargaze from an Inflatable Planetarium. And you can choose between a talk from renowned novelist Margaret Drabble, or story-time with award-winning children’s writers Charlotte Sebag-Montefiore and Anita Lehmann.
Other highlights include a talk from London 2012 Gold Medallist Anna Watkins and a rowing challenge organised by students from the Newnham College Boat Club; three former ambassadors in conversation with College Principal Alison Rose; and a session on entrepreneurship with TV presenter and serial CEO Alison Cork.
Among the performances, the standouts are a recital from internationally renowned pianist Anna Tilbrook, and Granta Chorale performing new music by Janet Wheeler.
Alison Rose, Principal, Newnham College, said: “We’re throwing open our doors and inviting everyone to come and help celebrate everything that makes us so great. From our rebellious past, to our ground-breaking present, to our hopes and dreams for the future. It’s a huge thank you from us to you.”
Founded in 1871 by a group of pioneers in women’s higher education, Newnham has come a long way from its roots. From fighting for the right to take university qualifications, to building special courses to help students who hadn’t been allowed to attend secondary school; to claiming the first woman to achieve the highest maths degree at Cambridge, Philippa Fawcett; Newnham has grown today into a vibrant, modern college with an awe-inspiring list of alumnae.
Speaking to students in 2017, Oscar-winner Emma Thompson summed up her own time at Newnham: ‘It gave me permission to have ideas’.
Looking down the list of well-known graduates, it’s easy to wonder how many of them felt the same: from primatologist Jane Goodall, and Bletchley Park codebreaker Joan Clarke to modern icons like Claire Balding and Mary Beard.
And if you make it to the Festival in July, you’ll also be asking yourself how many future Nobel Laureates and game-changing innovators are sharing the fun and inspiration with you.
