I was going to post a close up of Henry VIII and his chair leg today but I couldn't resist this little fellow challenging me to suggest that he should treat the Doctor of Divinity with more respect. I could fill my entire 365 project with the carvings and statues that adorn the buildings around town - there are hundreds of them.
I went to vote for the new Chancellor today. I've only just realised that I'm a member of the Senate and can vote in these things. You have to have a Masters Degree, a PhD or a Doctor of Divinity. So current and recent students cannot vote (they automatically get an MA after 3 years if they pay the fee and then they could vote). It's a good thing as it stops silly campaigns taking hold!!! There hasn't been a vote for Chancellor since 1847 as the candidate proposed by the relevant committee normally goes unopposed. This year however, there are 4 candidates: Lord Sainsbury (the official nominee), Abdul Arain (an independent grocer opposed to Sainsbury's opening a supermarket near his shop), Michael Mansfield QC ('a socialist vegetarian lawyer' strongly opposed to the new fee system) and Brian Blessed (Shakespearean actor). I weighed up all the choices except Mr Arain (though I do sympathise about his shop!). In the end I couldn't really see why Brian Blessed should do it and he swears a lot. I agree with Mr Mansfield about the fees but the role is really ceremonial rather than political and I can't see that he would champion Cambridge which is, at the end of the day, an elite institution. So it came down to Lord Sainsbury who has recently given a hundred million pounds to Plant Sciences and has had a long career in the sciences (mind you if I were a billionaire I could be generous too!) There was a huge turn out which just goes to show how much of the 'town' is also 'gown' and the Daily Telegraph's exit poll showed Sainsbury was winning by quite a bit - hope we all get a few grocery vouchers!!
Edit: OK I've entered Mr P for 'Gluttony' and possibly 'Pride' but I'm pretty sure the Doctor of Divinity hasn't got any sins.
Sounds like you were in the majority with your vote...let us know the final outcome.
Marvelous photo! That's one rather large pigeon perched upon the good Doctor.
Re: Henry's chair leg...I read some where, at some point, that the chair leg which replaced the sword, at one time was replaced with a bicycle pump...until the chair leg made a return. A fun loving student body at Trinity. :)
And my point? Very interesting post...lots of good stuff here. :)
A very important vote Judith & good that you exercised your rights !!! I think I agree with your reasoning's! You do live an exciting life in Cambridge & I think if I had studied there I would want to stay close to all that learning & those beautiful buildings !!
As for the pigeon he is a stunner & is sitting on the perfect perch, he is probably thinking my gown is better than his !!
@daffodill@june You did have to wear a gown to vote! They had a whole stack of them to lend out though it would have been a chance to dust mine off if I'd known!
@peggysirk You know I was thinking yesterday that the chair leg isn't stolen very often these days & I must go and see if they've got CCTV! Love the idea of that bicycle pump!!
@happypat Yes well it's not often I get to do something important! I'm trying to persuade Nigel to go and vote tomorrow with his camera phone as there were some lovely views from the Senate House out towards town that you don't normally see. I've given Rachel my P & S to take on her school trip (to Boston!!!!) so for once I didn't have a camera.
Marvelous photo! That's one rather large pigeon perched upon the good Doctor.
Re: Henry's chair leg...I read some where, at some point, that the chair leg which replaced the sword, at one time was replaced with a bicycle pump...until the chair leg made a return. A fun loving student body at Trinity. :)
And my point? Very interesting post...lots of good stuff here. :)
As for the pigeon he is a stunner & is sitting on the perfect perch, he is probably thinking my gown is better than his !!