The grounds at Churchill College were looking extra pretty today with a hint of mistiness and yet the sun still holding on (not for much longer it transpired). The original buildings at Churchill are fairly uncompromising 1960's architectural style but mercifully built from brick not concrete and all low-lying which fits well (in my opinion) in the elegant grounds. The Moller Conference Centre is a Danish design which takes its inspiration from ships and I think it looks very attractive in the sunshine. I have tried and failed several times to take a good photo of the very unusual modern chapel. The College didn't originally have a chapel which is why (according to Wikipedia) Sir Fancis Crick (as in Watson and Crick) agreed to be a Fellow of the college. After a donation was made for the construction of a chapel Crick objected but was over-ruled by Churchill who said that nobody need enter the chapel if they didn't want to. Crick apparently responded by sending him £10 for the establishment of a brothel!
The trees around the college are full of mistletoe - many look like they are in full leaf from a distance - all out of reach unfortunately! I thought about calling this photo 'Mistletoe and WIne' but I just can't stand Cliff Richard Christmas songs (sorry!)
Three good things:
1. Pink dress and fairy wings gone down very well at an early Christmas-present session with my little friends.
2. One week till Christmas.
3. Cliff Richard has stopped making Christmas records :0)
Delightful story about these buildings! So good to see and beautifully photographed in the light! I used to like that song but now it drives me mad! Did you really wear a pink dress with fairy wings?
@fueast My friend lives in his house - passed on specifically to them - nicer than Watson I think. @maggiemae Should have done - shame they were age 3 size!
Conference Centre, Churchill, Christmas, Crick, Cliff and controversy, all combined in one commentary! Lovely photograph, too. Can't ask for more than that.
Very nicely composed and the lighting is superb indeed. Haha, wouldn't a brothel on campus be something ;)... I can imagine the pink dress went down well - it must be every girl's dream! But I would prefer a Cambridge sweater any day ;)).
@meisen325 I was going to have parasites in the title! If you view large you can just see another one with more but that's still small amounts compared with some of the others - I'm not entirely sure how much one tree can carry without dying!
Yay for Churchill! Unfortunatly my office looks out to Madingley Road rather than the rest of college, but have spotted we have huge amounts of mistletoe
@judithg As a result of the history you mention it is very important that it is referred to as 'The Chapel at Churchill' and NEVER 'Churchill Chapel'. The other quirk of the (very left wing) philosophy of the college is that Margaret Thatcher gave a large amount of money to the college as we are home to the Prime Ministerial archives but we refuse to give her an honorary fellowship - I think we have to wait til she dies to give anyone else one!
@fueast@judithg I met Watson once at a dinner in Clare - deeply unpleasant even when 'on show' - such a shame that some of the most famous names in science were so horrid
This is very topical as it was on the news about mistletoe being abundant in Cambs. Nice shot and history of the college buildings Judith. You really do learn something new every day
Beautiful photograph, but I can't agree with you about dear old Cliff. I have to admit though that I'm fed up with his samey songs and I'm glad he's given up on the Christmas songs, for this year at least!
December 21st, 2012
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