My Great-grandmother went to Newnham to sstudy Geology, and was awarded her degree years after she got it, as women weren't granted degrees in those days.
Indeed. Basically, in 1881 women were allowed to take the exams, and were given a certificate if they passed - but not a degree. In 1921, the *title* of the degree was awarded, but none of the associated advantages, and women still couldn't have anything to do with the running of the Univeristy(though they were now allowed to actually attend lectures!). FULL membership of the University was awarded to women in 1947, with the first full degree given in 1948...
So...what happened in 1949...? That's the date that's on the gate...
Right. I went to have a look at the gate. And I can't see the date 1949 anywhere at all. There's only one numeral: MDCCCXCIII (1893). And that, I think, is the date the gate was erected, as a memorial to Anne Jemima Clough, the first principal (died in 1892).
Where did you see the 1949 date, Bryllyg? If we can confirm that's on there anywhere, I'll ask someone who might know...
Maybe I made it up? I am so sure though that the gates outside the p'lodge have a shield at the top which has the date 1949 written underneath. If I have made this up then I am scared - what other crazy things do I imagine and then believe to be true?...
Ah ha! Yes, the crest outside the Plodge *does* have 1949 on it. At a guess, this is probably when these gates were erected (obv. different gates to those in the Pfeiffer Arch). Bryll, we know you imagine lots of things...fairy pants.
Isn't Newnham the "pooling" college? Seems that everyone who gets in does so from the pool. Those who applied there as a first choice tend to be the "strategists" who know they havn't a chance in hell of getting into one of the more respected colleges.......or so I have heard..... Isn't it time for such places to be made co-ed?
Bugger off, Gladys. No, it's not the "pooling college". Last year, in fact, it had university-average admissions statistics. It is no easier to get into Newnham, statisically or intellectually. And I applied because I loved the place, not because I thought I'd play the numbers game. Wouldn't have worked anyway - they simply don't accept people people they don't way; they don't have to fill up all places. Good try.