It's Matriculation Day! 🎓 Congratulations to all our new Undergraduates who officially became members of the College today.

Join us for the 4th Long Club Dinner, celebrating the Downing College Rugby Union Football Club! 🏉 The Dinner takes place on Saturday 8 November 2025, and is a fantastic opportunity for members of the club, past and present, to come together. Book now: www.dow.cam.ac.uk/events/long-club-dinner

@stefaniafiorentino.bsky.social, Downing Fellow in Land Economy, was quoted in @theguardian.com's 'Against the tide' series last week about her research on coastal towns in the UK, and why young people in particular are struggling. Find out more: www.dow.cam.ac.uk/downing-fell...

"Hilarious, playful and brimming with creative energy." A great review of Downing Dramatic Society's latest production of Shakespeare's 'As You Like It' in The Tab. 🎭 Read the full review: thetab.com/2025/06/20/r...

Review: As You Like It

All the worlds are on stage: the Shakespearian, the 1970s, and the present

thetab.com

🌸Beautiful Bee Orchids are in bloom at College. 🌸 Interested in exploring our grounds? The Gardens Team is offering exclusive tours, as well as a range of other horticultural experience days and workshops for gardening enthusiasts. 🌳👩‍🌾 Find out more: dow.cam.ac.uk/garden-days

Over the weekend, Downing celebrated Commemoration Day, marking the anniversary of the laying of the College’s foundation stone in 1807. The occasion allowed the College to thank all benefactors who have helped support Downing over the years. More here: www.dow.cam.ac.uk/news/downing...

Congratulations to Professor Ed Bullmore, Honorary Fellow, who has been announced as a new Fellow of @royalsociety.org, the UK's national academy of sciences. Read more about his work: www.dow.cam.ac.uk/news/professor-ed-bullmore-elected-fellow-royal-society

Congratulations to Downing's Rahul Sharan, who finished in 1st place in the Cambridge v Oxford Varsity Karting Race. His victory helped Cambridge retain the title for a fifth year in a row. 🏆🏎 Find out more: www.dow.cam.ac.uk/news/downing-student-wins-varsity-karting

Congratulations to Downing's Table Tennis team, who won the University's annual Cuppers tournament. 🏓🎉 Read about their victory: www.dow.cam.ac.uk/news/cuppers-victory-downings-table-tennis-team

Last weekend, Downing hosted the Varsity Sports Day against Lincoln College, our sister College at the University of Oxford. Contests in football, netball and tennis were followed by an evening of rounders and tug-of-war on the Paddock, as well as pizza in the JCR. ⚽🎾🏃

The 2025 edition of the College's literary magazine 'The Leaves' was launched at @heong-gallery.bsky.social last week. The magazine features poetry, prose, drama and visual art by Downing students, Fellows, staff and alumni. Read more: www.dow.cam.ac.uk/news/creative-arts-celebrated-launch-leaves

The first episode of the brand new Downing Arts Podcast is now available to listen to! 🥳🎙 New episodes are released every Thursday during term time and can be found on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or via the podcast website. Listen now: downingarts.alitu.com/1?order=newest

Downing alums demonstrated the power of collective giving recently by raising over £4,300 - enough to fund a full one-year bursary for a new Downing student matriculating in October 2025. Find out more: www.dow.cam.ac.uk/news/enduring-connections-downing-alums-fund-class-gift-future-student

Good luck to Downing's Ollie Boyne and Gianluca Maffi, who will be representing @CUBCsquad in this weekend's Boat Races. 🚣 Gianluca will be rowing at seat 2 in the Men's Lightweight crew on Saturday, while Ollie will be coxing the Men's Blue Boat on Sunday. Images: Row 360

Downing alumnus Sir Trevor Nunn returned to the College this week to give the 2025 Richmond Lecture. In a Q&A session, Sir Trevor shared stories of his time at Cambridge and his legendary career in theatre www.dow.cam.ac.uk/news/sir-trevor-nunn-returns-downing-2025-richmond-lecture

Congratulations to Downing's Fin Edwards who has been selected to play in the men's Varsity Rugby match at the StoneX stadium in London on Saturday 8 March. Tickets for the Varsity Matches are still available on the Saracens website: www.eticketing.co.uk/saracens/EDP... Photo: CURUFC

The #DowningCollege Netball team has its eyes set on glory this season! After securing promotion from Division 3 to Division 2 in Michaelmas, they have their eyes set on reaching the top division – a target that is firmly in their reach.

Always nice to see the first signs of spring on the Domus after a long winter. 🌷🌼🌸

Today marks 9 years since we opened our doors for the first time! 🎉🥳 We've held over 20 exhibitions and collaborations with internationally celebrated artists, with lots more exciting shows in the pipeline. 🎨🖌️ 🎁Happy birthday to The Heong Gallery!🎂

Dr Bonnie Lander Johnson, Fellow, has had two new books published by Cambridge University Press. 1️⃣The Cambridge Handbook of Literature and Plants 2️⃣Botanical Culture and Popular Belief in Shakespeare’s England Read more here: www.dow.cam.ac.uk/news/downing-fellow-has-two-new-books-published

🎉Congratulations to all those receiving offers from @cambridgeuni.bsky.social today! 🎉 And to all our #DowningCollege applicants, we wish you the very best wherever that may take you.

Congratulations to the six Downing alumni who have been recognised in the King's New Year Honours list. They have been recognised for their contributions across a range of fields. Read more about their achievements here: www.dow.cam.ac.uk/news/2025-new-year-honours-for-downing-alumni

Thanks to a generous legacy gift from Downing alum, John Frederick Fitz Miller (1978), over 50 Downing medical students have all been awarded a generous grant from the fund. The John Miller Scholarships are given to eligible medical students, including those in their 5th or 6th year of study.

Emeritus Fellow Professor Trevor Robbins is on the latest episode of the Naked Scientists podcast, talking OCD, frontal lobes and AI. Listen here: www.thenakedscientists.com/podcasts/naked-scientists-podcast/titans-science-trevor-robbins

Titans of Science: Trevor Robbins

The Cambridge University neuroscientist talks OCD, frontal lobes, and AI...

thenakedscientists.com

Join us for an engaging panel discussion exploring the reality of the green economy. Is it truly transforming industries and investments, or is there more to uncover? 🗓️Friday 21 March 🕐6pm 📍Howard Theatre Find out more here: www.dow.cam.ac.uk/events/global-green-economy-fact-or-fiction

Arrangements for the Christmas period have been published on the College website for students staying in College residence during the close-down period (5pm on Friday 20 December 2024 until Thursday 2 January 2025 inclusive). www.dow.cam.ac.uk/current-students/arrangements-christmas-closure-2024

A Christmas message from the Master Professor Graham Virgo, featuring the incredible voices of the Downing Chapel Choir. www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vsern3TYDM

Master's Christmas Message - Dec 2024

YouTube video by Downing College

youtube.com

This term has been one to remember for the Downing Dramatic Society, whose members have been involved in a variety of well-received productions, showcasing their talent and creativity. 🎭 Read more: www.dow.cam.ac.uk/news/societies-spotlight-busy-term-downing-dramatic-society

The annual Griffins' Club Dinner is taking place on Saturday 15 February. It's a fantastic opportunity for alumni and resident Griffins to celebrate Downing’s sporting successes. Further event and booking info available here: www.dow.cam.ac.uk/events/griffins-club-dinner Image: Kevin Sargent

📢 Exciting news 📢 Limited edition print, signed by Ai Weiwei, together with a book on the history of Cedar, the only one of Ai Weiwei’s trees to be born again where it had once lived, in a presentation case. #AiWeiwei #Cedar #perfectgift #HeongGallery #christmas #christmas2024