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Cromwell Day

Sidney Sussex Society Cromwell Day - Saturday, 11th October 2008

“None climbs so high…”

To mark the 350th anniversary of the death of the College’s most famous alumnus, Oliver Cromwell, the Society has organized a day of events to which all members are warmly invited.

The day is divided into three parts, each separately priced, so while we hope you will participate in the whole programme you may be selective if you wish.  To attend, please fillout the application form below and return it to the Membership Officer, Ms Wendy Hedley (alumni@sid.cam.ac.uk, Tel. +44 1223 338881) .

The first part of the programme will start with coffee and biscuits in College in the Mong Room from 10.30.  Ian Stephen will introduce the day at 11.00.  There will then be two  talks followed by a buffet lunch.  The first talk, by Professor Derek Beales, will be about Cromwell’s association with the College, including the reburial of the head in the College grounds which Derek is the only person still living to have witnessed.  There will then follow an illustrated talk by Roy Sherwood (1966) entitled ‘”With more than regal pomp”: the magnificent state funeral of Oliver Cromwell’.  Roy is an historian who has made a special study of Cromwell. His books include The Court of Oliver Cromwell and Oliver Cromwell King In All But Name 1653-1658.

The second part of the programme will be a return coach trip from the College to Huntingdon, where Cromwell was born and went to school.  Our party has been given special access to the Cromwell Museum, the Record Office and All Saints Church.  At the museum, the Curator, John Goldsmith, has kindly agreed to be on hand and give us a short introductory talk.  At the Record Office, the Archivists Alan and Lesley Akeroyd, have generously agreed to put on a display of Cromwell documents and anything they have with a connection to the College.  They will say a few words about what’s on show.  At All Saints Church, tea will be provided.  The Church Secretary, Richard Hough, will then welcome us and give a short talk about the church.  The Museum and the Record Office can only handle 25 people at one time, so we will split into two groups for these visits.  PLEASE NOTE, THIS MEANS THAT NUMBERS GOING TO HUNTINGDON ARE LIMITED TO 50, SO PLEASE BOOK EALY!  There is no limit on numbers for any other part of the day.

The third part of the programme will take place back in College and will start with an exhibition of Cromwell artefacts owned by the College which will be displayed in the Library (Garden Court) where the College archivist, Nicholas Rogers, will say a few words about each item.  This will be followed by drinks and a three course dinner in the Old Library.  Note: The display will be open to all, whether or not attending the drinks and dinner.

The timing for the day is as follows:

• From 10.30am.  Coffee and biscuits in the Mong Room.
• 11.00 Introduction by the Society Chairman, Ian Stephen.
• 11.10 Talk by Professor Derek Beales:  Oliver Cromwell and Sidney Sussex.
• 11.45 Illustrated talk by Roy Sherwood: With more than regal pomp – the magnificent state funeral of Oliver Cromwell.
• 12.30 Buffet lunch in Hall.
• 13.30 Coach journey to Huntingdon, departing from Jesus Lane.
• 14.30 – 16.00 Visits to the Cromwell Museum and Record Office in Huntingdon.
• 16.00 Comfort break.
• 16.15 All Saints Church for tea and biscuits and talk by the Church Secretary.
• 17.00 Return coach journey to College via the outside of Hinchingbrooke House, the Cromwell family’s stately home (now a school).
• 18.00 Cromwell exhibition in College Library (Garden Court) with talk by Nicholas Rogers
• 18.30 Drinks followed by dinner in the Old Library.
• 21.00 Depart.

Cromwell Day Booking form.

I would like …….places for the talks and buffet lunch @ £15 per head.

I would like……..places for the trip to Huntingdon @ £20 per head.

I would like……..places for drinks and dinner @ £35 per head.

Enclosed is my cheque for £……made payable to Sidney Sussex Society, and marked for the attention of Wendy Hedley in The Development Office, Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, CB2 3HU

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