The Tesdale Society Visit Pembroke

On Saturday 10th of February 2018 members of the Tesdale Society were invited to join the Master of Pembroke College, Dame Lynne Brindley DBE, and Pembroke Fellows for lunch. This event is organised every other year in recognition of Pembroke’s alumni legacy pledge.

Speaking at the event, Dame Lynne explained, ‘The bequests we receive allow us to embark on new and aspiring activities while preserving the core tutorial system which makes it possible for undergraduates to be taught in very small groups by world-class academics holding permanent Fellowships.’

This year, attendees visited the Pembroke JCR Art Gallery’s current exhibition ‘Mary Fedden: a voice of her own’ for a tour led by Curator, Clara Chivers. Guests also enjoyed a display of Pembroke’s Rare Books Collection hosted by Librarian, Laura Cracknell. This provided an insight into the College’s fascinating holdings, such as a first edition of Issac Newton’s Principia. Guests also had the opportunity to meet current Pembroke students and exchange stories.

The Tesdale Society is named after one of the College’s founders,  Abingdon merchant Thomas Tesdale. The combined generosity of Tesdale, along with Berkshire clergyman Richard Wightwick, provided the necessary endowment for the transformation of Broadgates Hall into Pembroke College in the 17th century.