2016 news

Downing College items from recent weeks and months may be found below; for earlier items, please click on the appropriate link on the left-hand menu. Full sets of photographs of these events, where available, can be found on the Downing College Flickr page - click here.

Opening of the Heong Gallery – 5 February 2016

Downing College's new art gallery, The Heong Gallery, was opened in an official ceremony on Friday 5 February by Sir Alan Bowness, shown here with the Master, Professor Geoffrey Grimmett. The first exhibition, which opened to the public the following day, comprises works from the private collection of Sir Alan, former Director of Tate and an alumnus of Downing College. Generation Painting 1955-65: British Art from the Collection of Sir Alan Bowness features works by an array of significant mid-twentieth-century British artists including major works by Patrick Heron, Allen Jones, Peter Lanyon and William Scott.

Sir Stuart Peach to be Chief of the Defence Staff – 22 January 2016

Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach (Downing 1996) is to take over as the next Chief of Defence when the incumbent, General Sir Nicholas Houghton, retires this summer. Sir Stuart took his M Phil in International and European Law.

Death of Lady Isabel Butterfield – 1 January 2016

We are sorry to tell you of the death of Lady Isabel Butterfield, widow of the late Master of Downing, on New Year's Day in Charing Cross Hospital at the age of 91. She was buried in a private family funeral in London.

New Year's Honours List – 1 January 2016

Three Downing College alumni were honoured in this year's list: Rachel Furley (2001, shown left), Paul Ritchie (1980) and Caroline Wilson (1989). Dr Furley was awarded an OBE "For services to Sick and Disabled Children in the UK and Belarus", while Mr Ritchie and Ms Wilson were made Companions of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) in the Foreign Secretary's Overseas List, "For services to enhancing Diplomacy and National Security" and "For services to British foreign policy", respectively. Many congratulations to them all!