On Saturday 22 March and Sunday 23 March, we welcomed over 70 St Mary’s alumni to celebrate 125 years of Marys with a dinner, a celebration of life and a play.
The celebrations began on Saturday with an alumni dinner with over 70 alumni who graduated over 25 years ago. Some came with their spouse who they met while both were studying at Durham.
The evening began with a drinks reception in the dining hall before a welcome from the Principal, Prof. Adrian Simpson. The dining hall was filled with conversation as alumni and guests shared happy memories from their time at St Mary’s. We were particularly delighted to welcome Lily Morgan, pictured with Assistant Principal Emma Gray, a St Mary’s alumnae who was one of the first students to reside in the Fergusson building when it opened in 1952. She was joined by her daughter Alison, also a St Mary’s alumna. Professor Elspeth Garman, who graduated in 1976, came along to the dinner armed with a selection of memorabilia from her time as a student including JCR meeting minutes, formal ball tickets and a Durham University prospectus from the 70s.
As the evening drew to a close, alumni headed to the newly renovated bar in the basement for a drink to toast 125 years of Mary’s, to share stories and catch up with one another.
On Sunday 23 March, we hosted an event to honour the late Joan Kenworthy who died in 2024. Joan was the college principal from 1977 to 1999. Miss Kenworthy is remembered as a formidable lady who demonstrated kindness and empathy to those she met.
Those who spoke about Joan included her goddaughter, Emma Quin, who remembers her aunt with love and fond memories. Carolyn Jones from the University of Liverpool, spoke about Joan and her legacy in Liverpool. Dr Ian Evans, a colleague from the Geography department spoke of Joan on a both professional and personal level. For example, Ian noted that Joan was once asked for her hand in marriage, provided she gave up her career – an offer she declined! Alumna Christine Wright shared her thoughts on Joan as college principal and Sir Ralph Waller spoke of how his professional relationship with Joan turned into a lifelong friendship.
As part of the celebrations, the current Principal of St. Mary’s College, Prof. Adrian Simpson, announced that Joan has left a legacy to the College including endowing an annual award – The Amy Cobbold Music Award. This is named after her mother, a talented musician, and will be awarded to the student who makes the most important contribution to music in the College.
During the celebration, we unveiled a painting of Joan by artist Jane Kitching. The artwork incorporates extracts from letters from students at the time illustrating the important role her support and guidance had played in their lives. The work will be hung in the appropriately named Kenworthy Hall, in St. Mary’s College.
125th Anniversary Play
On Sunday evening, students, alumni, staff and friends of St Mary’s gathered at the Sir Thomas Allen Assembly Rooms in Durham to watch a play written and led by St Mary’s student theatre group, the Foot of the Hill Theatre Company.
The audience was taken on a magical journey through time, uncovering the vibrant history of a trailblazing college. The story begins with a current first-year student, Mary, moving into her new accommodation. As she settles in, she notices an old case filled with history. To her surprise, each discovery transports her into the past, where she witnesses some of the defining moments that shaped her college’s legacy.
As the play ends, Mary returns to the present, inspired and eager to make her mark on this extraordinary institution. She stands ready to embrace the future, proud to be part of a college with such a remarkable and enduring history.
Thanking Foot of the Hill, Adrian Simpson said:
“Thank you all so much for the play last night. It was a perfect end to a fascinating historical weekend. It was the perfect way of evoking the history of the college. The narrative thread drew us beautifully across the whole history of the college and, for me, put all the conversations I’d had with 70 years’ worth of alumni over the weekend into their historical context”.
We will host a further two alumni dinners to celebrate the 125th anniversary with drinks receptions planned in London and Edinburgh.
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For further information, email stmarys.alumni@durham.ac.uk
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