The Tribune

The British High Commission recently hosted the Bahamian alumni of Cambridge University for a celebratory dinner.

The group of lawyers, barristers, conservationists, and financial leaders discussed their experience at Cambridge, which spanned from 1977 to 2020 - their personal highlights included, Shakespeare in the gardens, punting on the Cam, formal halls, and May Balls! 

Over dinner, which ended with Androsian-style pancakes to mark the traditional British Pancake Day (Shrove Tuesday) cooked by chef Niki Lightbourne, the group committed to support the next generation of Bahamian applicants to the university. They agreed to meet again to watch the Cambridge-Oxford Boat Race on April 13.

Prospective Bahamian students considering applying to Cambridge or Oxford are encouraged to speak to the group, who can offer mentoring and experience sharing, including in choosing a college. You can connect via the British High Commission or at alumni.cam.ac.uk/group/bahamas-alumni-group

British High Commissioner Thomas Hartley said: “Mrs Hartley and I have such fond memories of our time at Cambridge, and we were thrilled to connect to an eminent group of Bahamians who also enjoyed their experience. I’m excited to see more students apply, and am grateful to the Cambridge alumni for committing to offer support. My particular thanks to Dr Maynard KC, chair of the alumni group, and Mrs Viana Gardiner, who were both instrumental in bringing together this wonderful group.

The British High Commission would like to meet other Bahamian alumni of British Universities, who can register with the British High Commission by emailing their course, year, and university name to ukinthe.bahamas@fcdo.gov.uk.

The group included: Viana Gardiner (Newnham College); Lashanti Knowles (Wolfson College); Maurice Glinton KC (St John’s College); Paula Adderley (St Catherine’s College); Marion Bethel (Wolfson College); Jennie Hartley (Robinson College, Newnham College); Thomas Hartley MA (Robinson College); Hillary Deveaux (St John’s College); Kevin Burrows (Churchill College); Lindy Clyde Knowles (Darwin College); Tyrone Fitzgerald (Hughes Hall); and Dr Peter Maynard KC (Jesus College). Apologies were received from Dr Desiree Cox, Dr Nicolette Bethel; Dr Valentine Grimes; and Peter Young OBE, all also alumni.