Take a moment to revisit Term 3 at Josephine Butler College with our alumni round‑up newsletter. Bringing the spirit of Butler to you, wherever you may be.
Cathedral Service (Wednesday 25th November 2026) – The Durham Cathedral Service is one of the highlights of our 20th Anniversary celebrations, and all alumni are warmly invited to attend with family and friends.
The service begins at 7.30pm, with a drinks reception in College beforehand (between 5.00pm-6.00pm) for those wishing to join the procession to the Cathedral. Those who prefer are equally welcome to make their own way directly to Durham Cathedral in time for the start of the service.
The programme will feature readings, performances, and original music, dance, and poetry celebrating 20 years of Josephine Butler College.
Following the service, all attendees are warmly invited to a further drinks reception in the Undercroft at Durham Castle, from 8.30pm onwards, providing an opportunity to reconnect with fellow Butler alumni, students and staff as we celebrate this important milestone together.
A special highlight will be a performance by the Josephine Butler College Scratch Choir, led by Butler alumna and conductor Tori Longdon ('12). Open to current students, alumni, and staff, the choir welcomes singers of all abilities. Music will be shared in advance, with a rehearsal led by Tori on the early afternoon of 25th November in Howlands Hall before the service.
If you are interested in taking part in the Scratch Choir, please register your interest via this link to receive more information about rehearsals and how to get involved.
Anniversary Formal dining (various dates) – during our anniversary year, we are increasing dining capacity in Howlands Hall so that any alumni who would like to join us either as an individual or as a group can sign up to attend a formal.
Monday 12th October 2026: Returners Formal
Monday 19th October 2026: Theme TBC
Monday 26th October 2026: Halloween Formal
Monday 9th November 2026: Murder Mystery Formal*
Monday 7th December 2026: Festive Formal
Monday 25th January 2027: Burns Formal
Monday 8th February 2027: Halfway Formal
Monday 15th February 2027: MCR Formal
FRIDAY 26TH FEBRUARY 2027: JCR BIG BIRTHDAY BASH**
Monday 8th March 2027: Networking Dinner
Wednesday 28th April 2027: Sports Formal
Wednesday 5th May 2027: Societies and Committees Formal
Monday 7th June 2027: Finalist Formal
Monday 21st June 2027: Colours Formal
*Subject to change
**The JCR are holding a Birthday formal on a Friday (perfect for a weekend visit to Durham) and would love for alumni to come along.
If you are interested in attending a formal during the anniversary year, please complete this expression of interest form so we can send you targeted communications once the themes are set.
We are also looking for alumni to join us on High Table for the undergraduate Welcome (Freshers) Formals on Monday October 5th, Tuesday October 6th, and Thursday October 8th. This opportunity may suit alumni who live in the region. We are keen for our new students to meet our alumni so this would be of great service to us if you are able to attend one of these formals. If you can join us, please email jb.collegeoffice@durham.ac.uk directly before Friday September 18th.
Pictured: Students at the Halfway Formal 2025
Alumni weekend (July 2027) – Although it is just under a year away, we encourage you to save the date for the Josephine Butler College 20th Anniversary Alumni Weekend, taking place in Durham from Friday 23rd – Sunday 25th July 2027.
Whether you join us for a day or the whole weekend, we would love to welcome you back to Butler for what promises to be a fun weekend. There will be accommodation available in College, plenty of opportunities to reconnect over food and drinks, and a varied programme of events and activities for alumni, friends, and families.
To help us with planning, we would be grateful if you could register your interest via this form. This is not a commitment to attend but will help us gauge interest and keep you updated as plans develop.
If you have ideas for the weekend or would like to get involved in planning the celebrations, we would be delighted to hear from you. So, please email jb.collegeoffice@durham.ac.uk if you would like to get involved.
This event forms part of our year-long programme of 20th Anniversary celebrations. The dedicated anniversary website is now live and will continue to be updated as new events, opportunities and information are confirmed. We encourage all members of the Butler community to visit the site regularly and check back for the latest updates throughout the anniversary year. Also, please check the JBalumni Instagram account for updates.
VARSITY TROPHY RETURNS TO BUTLER – After two consecutive Varsity defeats to our neighbours George Stephenson College, who have been very gracious winners, we arrived at this year’s competition determined to restore balance to the Mound. What followed was a day of skill, the annual appearance of the Principal’s Sue Sylvester red tracksuit, and the kind of spirited competition that makes Varsity one of the most cherished fixtures in the college sporting calendar.
Butler Triumphs in Dramatic Varsity Comeback. For the first time in more than four years, Josephine Butler College has reclaimed Varsity glory, defeating Stephenson College 12–11 in one of the most dramatic inter-collegiate contests in recent memory. What made the victory especially memorable was not simply the result itself, but the extraordinary comeback that brought it about.
The day began positively for Butler. Strong performances in table tennis and hockey secured early points, while the women's parkrun contribution helped establish a narrow advantage. Stephenson responded with victories in the men's parkrun and relay events, leaving Butler holding a slender 3–2 lead in the opening stages.
Tennis proved to be an important early battleground. Butler was forced to forfeit the women's fixture, and despite a closely fought mixed doubles contest, Stephenson edged ahead. Butler's men's pairing of Will Price and George Topping delivered a crucial victory, levelling the overall score at 4–4 and keeping the contest finely balanced.
The middle portion of the day belonged largely to Stephenson. Difficulties securing a cricket pitch resulted in Butler forfeiting that fixture, while Stephenson also recorded victories in basketball, volleyball and badminton. Although Butler's boat club benefited from a Stephenson withdrawal to claim a rowing point, further losses in netball and men's football, a narrow 3–2 defeat, left Butler trailing 11–6 with only a handful of fixtures remaining. At that stage, Stephenson appeared to have one hand firmly on the trophy.
What followed was a remarkable display of resilience. Butler's squash team, fresh from an exceptional unbeaten season that included league success and victories in York and Loughborough varsity competitions, delivered a vital point. The lacrosse team then produced one of the performances of the day, racing to a commanding lead and ultimately securing a notable win. Momentum continued to build when Butler's women's football team defeated Stephenson 5–2, reducing the deficit further.
An unexpected Stephenson forfeit in darts brought Butler within touching distance at 11–10. The final sporting contest came down to pool. Butler secured the first match to move within one point, before Butler held his nerve in the deciding frame to level the overall Varsity score at 11–11 and send the competition to a deciding quiz.
The quiz, contested by a team comprising Maddie Casey (outgoing sports officer), Josh Barrett (JCR President), Jack Parkes (Tech Director) and Chris Mullen (incoming sports officer), became the final chapter in the story. Excelling in both college knowledge and general knowledge rounds, Butler emerged victorious to complete an extraordinary turnaround and secure a 12–11 overall triumph.
Pictured: Maddie, Gill (aka Sue Sylvester), Chris and Josh
Durham City Spotlight: Rediscovering the Market Hall – When alumni return to Durham, they often expect to find a familiar city. However, one of the most remarkable changes in recent years has taken place in the city's smaller streets, alleys and market spaces, where independent businesses have helped shape a distinctive Durham identity. Durham Business Improvement District (Durham Business Improvement District (BID) - Life In Durham) highlights the city's mix of independent retailers, cafés and restaurants as a key part of what makes the city unique, while Durham Market Hall has become home to around 40 independent traders.
Established in 1851, the Market Hall remains one of the most recognisable and quirky institutions in Durham. As you will know, the Market Hall is a fascinating blend of the traditional and the unexpected. Alongside more traditional food traders as Durham City Fruiterers, Market Cheese & Deli, and IK Fish, offering fresh fish and seafood, visitors can also browse independent specialist retailers including Walker’s fabrics, Durham City Watches, The Plant Man, and UpcycleMe. The Hall is also home to some of Durham's more distinctive businesses, such as Norseman Durham, which specialises in Viking, pagan and spiritual-themed gifts and décor, while other traders offer classic vinyl records, locally brewed beers, Turkish lamps, tarot readings, retro toys, collectable Star Wars memorabilia and computer games. The result is a space that feels less like a traditional market.
Market are also part of a wider national trend. Increasingly, they are attracting a new generation of highly educated entrepreneurs who are choosing independent retail and small business ownership over more conventional career paths. A recent Guardian article, “Britain’s markets attracting generation of highly educated entrepreneurs”, highlighted this shift, noting that figures from the National Market Traders Federation show that nearly a quarter of market traders hold a master's degree, PhD or medical doctorate. Among those featured was Butler alumna Anastasia Maseychik, a Durham-based entrepreneur and market trader who is part of the city’s thriving independent business community. Anastasia, who has also shared her career journey with current students at Butler's annual Networking Dinner, reflected on how her postgraduate studies prepared her for entrepreneurship: “My MA had trained me to be totally self-managing. You have to set your own deadlines, teach yourself new skills and solve problems independently.” Her story illustrates how Durham's historic market spaces continue to provide opportunities for innovation, creativity and enterprise, while remaining firmly rooted in the city's traditions.
Next time you are visiting Durham, make sure you pop into the Market Hall and see what is new (Find A Trader - Durham Market). Also, please email jb.collegeoffice@durham.ac.uk if you are interested in attending the Networking Formal Dinner on March 8th 2027.
Butler's new Finance Society is Flying High – One of the success stories of the past academic year has been the remarkable growth of the Josephine Butler Finance Society (JBFS). Established to make the world of finance more accessible to Butler students, the society has quickly become one of the College's most dynamic and successful new student initiatives, recently being recognised as Best New Society at the Socs and Comms Formal.
For many students, careers in finance can appear intimidating and difficult to access. Competitive recruitment processes, specialist knowledge, and extensive networking expectations can make the sector feel exclusive, particularly for those without prior connections or experience. JBFS was created to address this challenge, providing a welcoming environment where students can develop knowledge, confidence and professional networks regardless of their background.
Led this year by co-presidents Martin Prinsloo and Sam Williams, the society has focused on combining professional development with an approachable and collegiate atmosphere. One highlight of the year was the society's Easter Investment Competition, which attracted around twenty participants. Students were challenged to manage a £100,000 virtual investment portfolio, selecting holdings and tracking performance over the competition period. The event combined practical learning with friendly competition and allowed participants to engage with financial markets in a hands-on way.
Equally successful was the society's programme of professional engagement. One of the standout events was a question-and-answer session with Aymane Bourhfir, CEO of Open Oceans Group. Rather than a formal lecture, the event was designed as a more intimate conversation over coffee, allowing students to engage directly with an experienced business leader.
The success of JBFS highlights a broader strength of Durham University’s Collegiate system: the ability of students to identify opportunities, create new initiatives, and build communities around shared interests. Please follow JBFS on Instagram @jobofinance.
Holey Moley Magazine –This year’s editions of Holey Moley (formerly The Mound Magazine) are linked below. They offer a brilliant snapshot of student life at Butler and are well worth a read.
February edition: https://online.pubhtml5.com/ghovn/jmsf/
March edition: https://online.pubhtml5.com/ghovn/pdga/
June Edition: https://online.pubhtml5.com/ghovn/cqko/
