Punctuating the strength of educational links between Britain and The Bahamas, the British High Commission was pleased to host the Bahamian alumni of Cambridge University for a celebratory dinner. The esteemed group of lawyers, barristers, conservationists, and financial leaders discussed their experience at Cambridge, which spanned collectively from 1977 to 2020: their personal highlights included unrivalled academic study, 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 world’s finest university (Oxford students can cry foul!). They agreed to meet again to watch the Cambridge-Oxford Boat Race (13th April).
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: Mrs Viana Gardiner (Newnham College); Ms Lashanti Knowles (Wolfson College); Mr Maurice Glinton KC (St John’s College); Mrs Paula Adderley (St Catherine’s College); Ms Marion Bethel (Wolfson College); Mrs Jennie Hartley (Robinson College, Newnham College); His Excellency Thomas Hartley MA (Robinson College); Mr Hillary Deveaux (St John’s College); Mr Kevin Burrows (Churchill College); Mr Lindy Clyde Knowles (Darwin College); Mr 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 Mr Peter Young OBE, all also alumni.
