On Saturday we went to the annual Caius alumni garden party. This is a thank you party for those who contribute to the Caius fund. This fund is to maintain the outstanding college, provide much needed funds to maintain the unrivalled standards of education, and to keep the university open to disadvantaged students. The party is open to those who maintain a minimum benefaction to the college.
In total Cambridge University has raised one billion pounds in recent fund raising. This was achieved two years ahead of target.
Back to the day, I met up with two other Caius alumni from my year, one was Chris who used to run the late night bar and organised the May Ball. I was able to tell him that Sonja Christina from Curved Air was still touring with a version of that band. Curved Air performed at the Caius May Ball in 1975. I think Chris had made some comment in the past about showing her up to her room in Tree Court, and short skirts. Rosemary and I had been to see Curved Air, The Strawbs, Focus and other bands in Aylesbury last year. I spoke with Sonja (from Curved Air) after the Aylesbury gig, but alas she did not remember playing Caius college. I see they are playing at the Croissant Neuf stage in The Green Fields, Glastonbury.
We also met up with Richard and Andrea, friends we meet with regularly now. I was asked to remove my shoes from her blanket while we were watching the Bumps! Somehow I always disgrace myself with my shoes in front of Andrea.
Food at the garden party was as usual very good, and masses of it. The sun shone as well, a wonderful event in the historic courtyards of Caius College.
Next we went down to the river, and watched the final day of the May Bumps. Caius 1st were second behind 1st & 3rd Trinity. The final day was a row over, despite the promise from the Master that we would bump Trinity at Caius Meadows. Oh well, there is next year.