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List of social activities at Durham University

August 21, 2023

This is a list of social activities at the University of Durham, including details of clubs, societies and other common leisure activities associated with Durham University. Over 200 student clubs and organisations run within Durham Students' Union.[1]

Sports

General

  • College Varsity, a sporting competition between college teams from Durham University and the University of York held alternately at York and Durham in the Lent term since 2014.[2]
  • Doxbridge Tournament, an unofficial sporting competition held annually since 1999 at the start of the Easter holiday between college teams from Durham University, the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge and (since 2011) the University of York.[3][4]
  • Durham University Athletic Union, a student-run organisation responsible for sport at Durham University. In 2006, the Athletic Union was rebranded "Team Durham" to signify a more modern approach to sport at Durham. In contrast to most British universities, it is a separate organisation with the status of a students' union, rather than a part of Durham Students' Union, the primary student representative body at Durham University.
  • There are many college sports teams which allow for participation in sport at a less intense level than the university sports teams. There are leagues or tournaments between colleges in most major sports, with many colleges having multiple teams covering a wide range of ability levels. This is a contributing factor to the high participation in sport at the university.

Clubs

Rowing

College boat clubs

Student unions

Durham has a central students' union as well as junior common rooms (or equivalent) in each college.

Durham Union Society

The Durham Union Society (DUS), commonly referred to as the Durham Union, is a debating society, founded in 1842, by the students of the University of Durham, which then comprised only University College, and Hatfield Hall.[1] Commonly referred to as the Union, or the DUS, it is the University's largest society, with over 3,000 members in residence, and 24,000 worldwide. Until 1899, when the Durham Students' Union's ancestor was founded, the society acted as the University's students' union.

History

The Union was founded in 1842.[11] It was the last student debating union founded along the lines of those that had been established at Cambridge in 1815 and at Oxford in 1823.[12] Intended both as clubs and debating societies, they provided additional comforts like reading rooms, dining facilities, billiards, and libraries.[12] The first debates were held in the reading rooms of Hatfield Hall and University College. In 1872 the Society moved to what is now the Palace Green library, where the University's first purpose-built debating chamber was established.[11] The Union predates the 1899 founding of the Students' Representatives Council (SRC). Consequently, there exists in Durham, like that of Oxford and Cambridge, the anomaly of both a union society and a students' union.[12]

Because Durham University did not enjoy the wealth or the influence of the alumni of its southern counterparts, its Union Society did not flourish in the same way as the Union Societies of Oxford and Cambridge.[12] So poor were the facilities of the Durham Union that by Easter 1896 no debates could be held.[13] That same year the University offered the Union a financial lifeline, by which the latter would be reconstituted as a centrally funded students' union like those being established at the newer Red brick universities. This was rejected by the members however, who opted to stick with the Cambridge model and embarked on a 'precarious path of independence' that has often led it to be 'marginalised' within the wider priorities of Durham University.[12] The university authorities pressed on with the formation of a SRC regardless, and ignored calls from the Union to be given additional facilities, which would not be received until 1936.[12] Independence ensured a state of relative poverty that did not work to the advantage of the DUS. Bertie Dockerill, an academic who has written on the history of student debating societies, emphasises that continued use of Union facilities:

has remained dependent upon the University believing that they were necessary, a system of landlordism that has not served the DUS well. The Union has been forcibly removed from its original home upon the library side of Palace Green that it had been gifted by the Warden of the University in 1873 (it now houses a lavatory complex), had its artwork appropriated, its coffee shop and dining room confiscated, and enjoys neither a library nor sole usage of its debating chamber, the latter commandeered daily by the University for lectures[12]

In the final years of the nineteenth century debates often revolved around ecclesiastical matters, a reflection not just of the student intake (which included high numbers of young men preparing for holy orders) but Durham's traditional curriculum of the university and the 'stranglehold' that the Dean and Chapter of Durham exercised over the university – with the few political debates tending to concern the then contentious issue of Irish Home Rule.[12] A few of the debate subjects were tongue-in-cheek, such as an 1887 motion 'That in the opinion of this House the Fair Sex is the root of all evil' – a proposal eventually defeated by a large majority.[13] The first 'Ladies night', where female students were able to participate, was held in 1895. In 1900, as the Boer War raged, members sent a telegram congratulating Messrs. Tuckey and Macpherson[a] – both former Durham Union men who had been trapped in the city of Ladysmith as it came under siege from Boer forces – on finally being relieved, and soon received a reply from the pair of them.[16]

The turn of the century saw more political debates, with society members almost invariably siding with the positions of the Conservative Party, while those of the Liberals were roundly rejected by majorities in excess of 70% at each of three debates in 1905, 1907, and 1911.[12] The third administration of Lord Salisbury attained a vote of confidence in excess of 90%.[12] Opinions on immigration were not consistent. While members applauded the robust views of Hatfield student and future Bishop of Bangor D.E. Davies, who suggested immigrants were predominantly 'disease-ridden criminals' that would 'have to be supported by public money', they rejected in the following term the motion that ‘the introduction of yellow and black races into western lands removes white man’s comforts’ by a ratio of around five to one.[17][18]

 
Participants in the 1912 Anniversary Inter-University Debate

To mark the 70th anniversary of the Durham Union, an inter-varsity debate chaired by then President J. E. T. Philipps, was held on Saturday 16 March 1912 at the Great Hall of University College, and featured visiting teams from Oxford, Cambridge, Trinity College, Dublin, and Edinburgh University – with the burning issue of Irish Home Rule as the subject of discussion.[19] This was something of a reunion for three of the participants: Philipps, F. K. Griffith (President of the Oxford Union), and H. Grose–Hodge (from the Cambridge Union) were all schoolmates in the same form at Marlborough College.[20]

To get around the limitations of its premises, the society traded its ownership of 44 North Bailey opposite Hatfield College for the old site of St Aidan's Society at 24 North Bailey, which allowed the creation of a social club (named the 'North Bailey Club' or, more informally '24').[11] This contains a bar which is open to all Durham Union members; a snooker room; a reading room that the Durham Union uses for functions, such as post debate entertaining, and an en-suite guest room that can be hired out by members. Student members also have the opportunity to rent bedrooms as student accommodation.[21]

In 1977 the Union was obliged to move across Palace Green to a purpose-built debating chamber in the Pemberton Buildings, which sit in the shadow of Durham Cathedral.[11]

The Union today

 
The Union Society's offices on Palace Green are shown in the centre of the image. To the right is the Department of Theology and Durham Cathedral

The Durham Union still maintains its offices and debating chamber on the Palace Green World Heritage Site, as well as 24 North Bailey. It hosts weekly debates featuring prominent external speakers, as well as inviting address speakers and holding social events.

The Union also excelled at competitive debating, until its debating branch disaffiliated in 2021. Having won the European Universities Debating Championship in 2005, and more recently having teams reaching the final of the European Championship, Oxford IV, Cambridge IV and John Smith Memorial Mace and the quarter-final of the World Universities Debating Championship. It also hosted the prestigious Durham Intervarsity competition, the Durham Open and Durham Schools; the world's largest residential school's debating competition.

The social highlight of the year is the annual Ball held in Michaelmas term. The programme for the evening varies, but usually consists of a champagne reception, dinner, music, and after dinner dancing. The Union also holds members only socials, with recent events including a 'Halloween Social', 'American Election Social', 'Chinese New Year Social' and 'Valentines Social'.[22]

Lord Adonis has cited his and Anna Soubry's 105-82 victory at a Durham Union Brexit debate as evidence that students are turning against Britain's decision to leave the European Union.[23] Upon winning a debate at the Durham Union, Spectator columnist James Delingpole wrote that "For a real Oxbridge education, you now have to go to Durham"[24]

NUS incident

In 2010, the Union was forced to cancel a debate on multiculturalism on safety grounds, after the National Union of Students' Black Students Officer Bellavia Ribeiro-Addy and LGBT Officer Daf Adley sent a letter to the Union, Durham University and Durham Students Union. The letter opposed the invitation of then BNP MEP Andrew Brons, and warned of a “colossal demonstration” if the debate went ahead. It went on to say “If any students are hurt in and around this event, responsibility will lie with you.”[25]

The cancellation of the debate by Union President Anna Birley on safety grounds was met with fierce backlash. NUS President Wes Streeting was prompted to personally appear before the Durham Union to apologise for the actions of the officers concerned, though outrage among Durham students was sufficient that a significant number protested outside the debating chamber at the time.[26] An anti-censorship protest group on Facebook quickly amassed over 2,500 members.[27] An official petition was lodged with Durham Students' Union to call for a referendum on disaffiliation from NUS.[28] On 12 March 2010, the referendum concluded with a majority of voting students choosing to disaffiliate. In 2011 the Durham Students' Union held a further referendum, whereby students taking part in the referendum voted to reaffiliate with the NUS.[29]

Chinese Embassy incident

In 2017, the Chinese Embassy attempted to block supermodel and activist Anastasia Lin from speaking in a debate. An official at the embassy warned the Union that the debate, which also featured former Foreign Secretary Sir Malcolm Rifkind, could damage relations between the UK and China.[30][31] Union President Tom Harwood insisted that "Everyone has been very polite," and the debate went ahead as planned.[32][33]

Tommy Robinson incident

In 2015, the Union cancelled a speech from Tommy Robinson, reportedly after pressure from the University.[34]

Durham Debating Split and Reaffiliation

As a result of a December 2020 members' referendum, Durham Union Debating, the student competitive debate wing of the Durham Union, voted to leave the wider Durham Union Society, and affiliate with the Durham Students' Union as the now-independent Durham Debating Society. In June 2022, the Durham Debating Society voted to reaffiliate with the Durham Union Society, and as a result left the Durham Students' Union, reversing the decision made a year and half before.[35]

Reciprocal relations

The Union's members enjoy reciprocal relations with, and use of facilities at, the Oxford Union, Cambridge Union, The Hist, Olivaint Conference of Belgium and The Phil, both of Trinity College Dublin.[36]

Notable members

Academic societies

  • Arthur Holmes Geological Society
  • Durham Astronomical Society
  • Durham Spaceflight
  • Durham University Accounting and Finance Society
  • Durham University Anthropology Society
  • Durham University Archaeology Society
  • Durham University Biological Society
  • Durham University Business Society
  • Durham University Business Psychology Society
  • Durham University Chemistry Society
  • Durham University Classics Society
  • Durham University Combined Honours Social Society
  • Durham University Computing Society
  • Durham University Economics Society
  • Durham University Education Society
  • Durham University Engineering Society
  • Durham University English Literature Society
  • Durham University Finance Society
  • Durham University French Society
  • Durham University Geographical Society
  • Durham University German Language and Cultures Society
  • Durham University History Society
  • Durham University Law Society
  • Durham University Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) Society
  • Durham University Marketing Society
  • Durham University Mathematical Society
  • Durham University Medical Society
  • Durham University Natural Science Society
  • Durham University Women in STEM
  • Durham University Philosophy Society
  • Durham University Psychology Society
  • Durham University Palaeontological Society
  • Durham Physics Society
  • Durham University Politics and International Relations Society
  • Durham ELSA
  • Durham University Society of Applied Social Science
  • Durham University Sustainable Finance Society
  • Durham University Theology Society
  • Durham University Chemical Society[43]
  • Geology for Global Development (Durham Group)

Drama societies

Durham Student Theatre

Durham Student Theatre (DST, formerly Durham University Student Theatre, DUST) is a student-run organisation responsible for theatre at Durham University, with performances put on every week of term at the Assembly Rooms Theatre.[44]

DST acts as an umbrella organisation for the many theatre companies based at the university, such as Durham University Light Opera Group (DULOG).[45] There are also numerous college based theatre groups, run by the Junior Common Room of the individual colleges, some of which are college members only, with others being open to all.[45]

Durham Revue

The Durham Revue is an established sketch comedy group. In 1974, four students founded 'DUST' (Durham University Sensible Thespians), which initially produced comedy revue shows exclusively for Durham student audiences.[46] However, in 1977, under the presidency of Arthur Bostrom, DUST took their first show to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.[46] This inaugural Fringe show included John Inge (Bishop of Worcester) and Jennie Campbell (former BBC comedy producer).[46] The group changed its name to the 'Durham Revue' in 1988.[46]

Its members write and perform all material themselves and shows are put on annually at the Assembly Rooms Theatre, and the professional Gala Theatre where they perform alongside the Cambridge Footlights and the Oxford Revue.[47] The Durham Revue also travels yearly to Cambridge, Oxford, and the Edinburgh Fringe where they perform for the full run of the festival.[47]

The Durham Revue membership generally consists of six writers and performers. Membership is based upon audition and interview, and these take place just once a year during Michaelmas Term. Former members include Jeremy Vine, Nish Kumar, Ed Gamble, and Alex Macqueen.[48]

Music Durham

Music Durham (formerly Durham University Music Society, DUMS) is a student-run organisation responsible for the majority of student music activities at Durham University. Performances take place in university venues such as the Great Hall of Durham Castle, the Mark Hillery Arts Centre in Collingwood College and the Margot Fonteyn ballroom in Durham Students' Union, as well as external venues such as Durham Cathedral, Durham Town Hall, the Gala Theatre and Sage Gateshead.

Music Durham is an umbrella organisation for the many ensembles based at the university. It currently consists of 28 university ensembles, including the Orchestral Society (DUOS), Palatinate Orchestra (DUPO), Choral Society, Big Band, Chamber Choir, concert band, brass band and gamelan.[49] There are also many college music groups, including chapel choirs, chamber ensembles and function bands which perform at college events.

Miscellaneous societies

  • Purple Radio, the student radio station
  • Palatinate, Durham's independent student-run fortnightly newspaper, has been continually published since 1948
  • Mostly Harmless, student satirical publication
  • The Grove, student literary publication
  • Durham Inter-Collegiate Christian Union, the university's most prominent student Christian organisation, founded in 1931
  • Durham University Conservative and Unionist Association, The University's Conservative Society

Leisure activities

Notes

  1. ^ Presumably the Reverend Ewen George Fitzroy Macpherson (BA, 1887), and the Reverend James Grove White Tuckey (a Trinity College, Oxford graduate who was a university lecturer and later chaplain of University College), both of whom were in South Africa serving as Chaplain to the Forces[14][15]

References

  1. ^ "Societies at Durham University". Durham University. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  2. ^ Sears, Maddy (30 January 2014). "York College Varsity Announced". Palatinate. Retrieved 7 October 2015.
  3. ^ "Doxbridge". Sports Party. Retrieved 7 October 2015.
  4. ^ "Cambridge Companion To: Doxbridge". The Tab. 22 October 2011. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
  5. ^ Hannah Graham (11 April 2016). "Meet Durhamstrang – the university quidditch team hoping to become European champs". Chronicle Live. Retrieved 19 April 2016.
  6. ^ Durham College Rowing. . Archived from the original on 29 January 2009. Retrieved 28 December 2008.
  7. ^ HEADS OF HOUSE COMMITTEE. (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 October 2012. Retrieved 21 August 2009.
  8. ^ Durham College Rowing. . Archived from the original on 29 January 2009. Retrieved 28 December 2008.
  9. ^ Durham College Rowing. . Archived from the original on 29 January 2009. Retrieved 28 December 2008.
  10. ^ Durham College Rowing. . Archived from the original on 29 January 2009. Retrieved 28 December 2008.
  11. ^ a b c d "Our History". Durham Union Society. Retrieved 31 January 2020.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Dockerill, Bertie (2017). "'Forgotten Voices': The Debating Societies of Durham and Liverpool, 1900–1939". In Burkett, Jodi (ed.). Students in Twentieth Century Britain and Ireland. Palgrave. pp. 101–128. Retrieved 31 January 2020.
  13. ^ a b Fowler, J. T. (5 June 1912). "The Durham Union Society". Durham University Journal. 20 (10): 205. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
  14. ^ "Unattached Members". Durham University Calendar: 227. 1897. Retrieved 17 December 2020.
  15. ^ Graduates of the University. Durham: Durham University. 1948. p. 230.
  16. ^ Fowler, 1912, p. 206
  17. ^ DUS, Minute Book, 25 February 1903, University of Durham Special Collections, UND/GE1/AB2
  18. ^ DUS, Minute Book, 18 June 1903, University of Durham Special Collections, UND/GE1/AB2
  19. ^ "Durham Union Society: Visitors' Night". Durham University Journal. Durham University. 20: 201. 5 June 1912. Retrieved 21 July 2019.
  20. ^ Durham Union Society: Visitor's Night, p. 202
  21. ^ . Durham Union Society (via Internet Wayback Machine). 10 January 2014. Archived from the original on 10 January 2014. Retrieved 31 January 2020.
  22. ^ "Durham Union Society – Members' Socials". dus.org.uk. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  23. ^ Adonis, Andrew. "Lord Adonis Tweet". Twitter. Twitter.
  24. ^ Delingpole, James. "For a real Oxbridge education, you now have to go to Durham". The Spectator. The Spectator. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
  25. ^ Tallentire, Mark. "Student union apologises over BNP claim". The Northern Echo. The Northern Echo. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
  26. ^ "Student union apologises over BNP claim (From the Northern Echo)". Thenorthernecho.co.uk. 10 February 2010. Retrieved 31 May 2010.
  27. ^ "NUS mis-handling prompts backlash". Palatinate Newspaper. 22 February 2010. Retrieved 22 December 2014.
  28. ^ . Palatinate.org.uk. 8 February 2010. Archived from the original on 18 April 2010. Retrieved 31 May 2010.
  29. ^ Johnson, Daniel (28 January 2011). . Palatinate Online. Archived from the original on 3 October 2011. Retrieved 8 May 2011.
  30. ^ Swerling, Gabriella. "Student debate will harm relations, insists China". The Times. The Times of London. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
  31. ^ Waterson, Jim. "The Chinese Embassy Told Durham University's Debating Society Not To Let This Former Miss World Contestant Speak At A Debate". Buzzfeed. Buzzfeed News. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
  32. ^ Minting, Stuart. "Durham: Chinese embassy official calls for speaker to be barred from University debate". The Northern Echo. The Northern Echo. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
  33. ^ "Durham Union Tweet". Twitter. The Durham Union. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
  34. ^ Hopkins, Steve. "Tommy Robinson Speaking Events Cancelled At Edinburgh And Durham Universities After Pegida Speech". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
  35. ^ Poppy. "Debating Society votes to leave Durham Students' Union". Palatinate. Retrieved 11 July 2022.
  36. ^ Why Get Involved Durham Union Society, Accessed October 2006
  37. ^ "Week One Debate". Cambridge Union Society Term Card: 13. 2015. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  38. ^ Sengupta, Kim (18 July 2009). "Soldier's soldier: General Sir Richard Dannatt". The Independent. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  39. ^ Willis, Harriet (18 November 2017). "In conversation with Mark Elliott: In defence of the travel guide". Palatinate. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  40. ^ "Rt Hon Sir Edward Leigh MP". Gainsborough Conservatives. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  41. ^ . Giles Ramsay (via Internet Wayback Machine). 29 July 2019. Archived from the original on 29 July 2019. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  42. ^ "Durham graduate named Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice". Durham University. 8 August 2019. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  43. ^ "Durham University Chemical Society". Retrieved 13 February 2016.
  44. ^ . Durham University. Archived from the original on 18 March 2020. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  45. ^ a b "Durham Student Theatre". Our Theatre Companies. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  46. ^ a b c d "Spotlight on the Durham Revue". Durham First (34): 25. 2013. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  47. ^ a b "The Durham Revue". Durham Student Theatre. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  48. ^ Percival, Becky (18 February 2018). "In conversation with: The Durham Revue (Part One)". The Bubble. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  49. ^ "Music Durham Ensembles". Retrieved 4 July 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)

External links

  • Durham University Students Union
  • Durham Union Society

August 21, 2023
list, social, activities, durham, university, this, list, social, activities, university, durham, including, details, clubs, societies, other, common, leisure, activities, associated, with, durham, university, over, student, clubs, organisations, within, durha. This is a list of social activities at the University of Durham including details of clubs societies and other common leisure activities associated with Durham University Over 200 student clubs and organisations run within Durham Students Union 1 Contents 1 Sports 1 1 General 1 2 Clubs 1 3 Rowing 1 3 1 College boat clubs 2 Student unions 3 Durham Union Society 3 1 History 3 2 The Union today 3 3 NUS incident 3 4 Chinese Embassy incident 3 5 Tommy Robinson incident 3 6 Durham Debating Split and Reaffiliation 3 7 Reciprocal relations 3 8 Notable members 4 Academic societies 5 Drama societies 5 1 Durham Student Theatre 5 2 Durham Revue 6 Music Durham 7 Miscellaneous societies 8 Leisure activities 9 Notes 10 References 11 External linksSports EditGeneral Edit College Varsity a sporting competition between college teams from Durham University and the University of York held alternately at York and Durham in the Lent term since 2014 2 Doxbridge Tournament an unofficial sporting competition held annually since 1999 at the start of the Easter holiday between college teams from Durham University the University of Oxford the University of Cambridge and since 2011 the University of York 3 4 Durham University Athletic Union a student run organisation responsible for sport at Durham University In 2006 the Athletic Union was rebranded Team Durham to signify a more modern approach to sport at Durham In contrast to most British universities it is a separate organisation with the status of a students union rather than a part of Durham Students Union the primary student representative body at Durham University There are many college sports teams which allow for participation in sport at a less intense level than the university sports teams There are leagues or tournaments between colleges in most major sports with many colleges having multiple teams covering a wide range of ability levels This is a contributing factor to the high participation in sport at the university Clubs Edit Association football DUAFC Rugby union Durham University Rugby Football Club previous members have included England captains Phil de Glanville and Will Carling Quidditch Durhamstrang 5 Rowing Edit Durham University Boat Club Boat Race of the North Durham Regatta Novice Cup 6 This was known as the Hatfield cup until 2003 when Durham College Rowing took over the organising of the event 7 Senate Cup 8 Pennant Series 9 Admirals Regatta 10 College boat clubs Edit Blade Club Collingwood College Boat Club Grey College Boat Club Hatfield College Boat Club Hild Bede Boat Club Josephine Butler College Boat Club St Aidan s College Boat Club St Chad s College Boat Club St Cuthbert s Society Boat Club St John s College Boat Club St Mary s College Boat Club Trevelyan College Boat Club University College Boat Club Ustinov Boat Club Van Mildert Boat Club George Stephenson College Boat Club John Snow College Boat ClubStudent unions EditDurham has a central students union as well as junior common rooms or equivalent in each college Durham Students Union the Durham wide federal unionDurham Union Society EditThe Durham Union Society DUS commonly referred to as the Durham Union is a debating society founded in 1842 by the students of the University of Durham which then comprised only University College and Hatfield Hall 1 Commonly referred to as the Union or the DUS it is the University s largest society with over 3 000 members in residence and 24 000 worldwide Until 1899 when the Durham Students Union s ancestor was founded the society acted as the University s students union History Edit The Union was founded in 1842 11 It was the last student debating union founded along the lines of those that had been established at Cambridge in 1815 and at Oxford in 1823 12 Intended both as clubs and debating societies they provided additional comforts like reading rooms dining facilities billiards and libraries 12 The first debates were held in the reading rooms of Hatfield Hall and University College In 1872 the Society moved to what is now the Palace Green library where the University s first purpose built debating chamber was established 11 The Union predates the 1899 founding of the Students Representatives Council SRC Consequently there exists in Durham like that of Oxford and Cambridge the anomaly of both a union society and a students union 12 Because Durham University did not enjoy the wealth or the influence of the alumni of its southern counterparts its Union Society did not flourish in the same way as the Union Societies of Oxford and Cambridge 12 So poor were the facilities of the Durham Union that by Easter 1896 no debates could be held 13 That same year the University offered the Union a financial lifeline by which the latter would be reconstituted as a centrally funded students union like those being established at the newer Red brick universities This was rejected by the members however who opted to stick with the Cambridge model and embarked on a precarious path of independence that has often led it to be marginalised within the wider priorities of Durham University 12 The university authorities pressed on with the formation of a SRC regardless and ignored calls from the Union to be given additional facilities which would not be received until 1936 12 Independence ensured a state of relative poverty that did not work to the advantage of the DUS Bertie Dockerill an academic who has written on the history of student debating societies emphasises that continued use of Union facilities has remained dependent upon the University believing that they were necessary a system of landlordism that has not served the DUS well The Union has been forcibly removed from its original home upon the library side of Palace Green that it had been gifted by the Warden of the University in 1873 it now houses a lavatory complex had its artwork appropriated its coffee shop and dining room confiscated and enjoys neither a library nor sole usage of its debating chamber the latter commandeered daily by the University for lectures 12 In the final years of the nineteenth century debates often revolved around ecclesiastical matters a reflection not just of the student intake which included high numbers of young men preparing for holy orders but Durham s traditional curriculum of the university and the stranglehold that the Dean and Chapter of Durham exercised over the university with the few political debates tending to concern the then contentious issue of Irish Home Rule 12 A few of the debate subjects were tongue in cheek such as an 1887 motion That in the opinion of this House the Fair Sex is the root of all evil a proposal eventually defeated by a large majority 13 The first Ladies night where female students were able to participate was held in 1895 In 1900 as the Boer War raged members sent a telegram congratulating Messrs Tuckey and Macpherson a both former Durham Union men who had been trapped in the city of Ladysmith as it came under siege from Boer forces on finally being relieved and soon received a reply from the pair of them 16 The turn of the century saw more political debates with society members almost invariably siding with the positions of the Conservative Party while those of the Liberals were roundly rejected by majorities in excess of 70 at each of three debates in 1905 1907 and 1911 12 The third administration of Lord Salisbury attained a vote of confidence in excess of 90 12 Opinions on immigration were not consistent While members applauded the robust views of Hatfield student and future Bishop of Bangor D E Davies who suggested immigrants were predominantly disease ridden criminals that would have to be supported by public money they rejected in the following term the motion that the introduction of yellow and black races into western lands removes white man s comforts by a ratio of around five to one 17 18 Participants in the 1912 Anniversary Inter University DebateTo mark the 70th anniversary of the Durham Union an inter varsity debate chaired by then President J E T Philipps was held on Saturday 16 March 1912 at the Great Hall of University College and featured visiting teams from Oxford Cambridge Trinity College Dublin and Edinburgh University with the burning issue of Irish Home Rule as the subject of discussion 19 This was something of a reunion for three of the participants Philipps F K Griffith President of the Oxford Union and H Grose Hodge from the Cambridge Union were all schoolmates in the same form at Marlborough College 20 To get around the limitations of its premises the society traded its ownership of 44 North Bailey opposite Hatfield College for the old site of St Aidan s Society at 24 North Bailey which allowed the creation of a social club named the North Bailey Club or more informally 24 11 This contains a bar which is open to all Durham Union members a snooker room a reading room that the Durham Union uses for functions such as post debate entertaining and an en suite guest room that can be hired out by members Student members also have the opportunity to rent bedrooms as student accommodation 21 In 1977 the Union was obliged to move across Palace Green to a purpose built debating chamber in the Pemberton Buildings which sit in the shadow of Durham Cathedral 11 The Union today Edit The Union Society s offices on Palace Green are shown in the centre of the image To the right is the Department of Theology and Durham CathedralThe Durham Union still maintains its offices and debating chamber on the Palace Green World Heritage Site as well as 24 North Bailey It hosts weekly debates featuring prominent external speakers as well as inviting address speakers and holding social events The Union also excelled at competitive debating until its debating branch disaffiliated in 2021 Having won the European Universities Debating Championship in 2005 and more recently having teams reaching the final of the European Championship Oxford IV Cambridge IV and John Smith Memorial Mace and the quarter final of the World Universities Debating Championship It also hosted the prestigious Durham Intervarsity competition the Durham Open and Durham Schools the world s largest residential school s debating competition The social highlight of the year is the annual Ball held in Michaelmas term The programme for the evening varies but usually consists of a champagne reception dinner music and after dinner dancing The Union also holds members only socials with recent events including a Halloween Social American Election Social Chinese New Year Social and Valentines Social 22 Lord Adonis has cited his and Anna Soubry s 105 82 victory at a Durham Union Brexit debate as evidence that students are turning against Britain s decision to leave the European Union 23 Upon winning a debate at the Durham Union Spectator columnist James Delingpole wrote that For a real Oxbridge education you now have to go to Durham 24 NUS incident Edit In 2010 the Union was forced to cancel a debate on multiculturalism on safety grounds after the National Union of Students Black Students Officer Bellavia Ribeiro Addy and LGBT Officer Daf Adley sent a letter to the Union Durham University and Durham Students Union The letter opposed the invitation of then BNP MEP Andrew Brons and warned of a colossal demonstration if the debate went ahead It went on to say If any students are hurt in and around this event responsibility will lie with you 25 The cancellation of the debate by Union President Anna Birley on safety grounds was met with fierce backlash NUS President Wes Streeting was prompted to personally appear before the Durham Union to apologise for the actions of the officers concerned though outrage among Durham students was sufficient that a significant number protested outside the debating chamber at the time 26 An anti censorship protest group on Facebook quickly amassed over 2 500 members 27 An official petition was lodged with Durham Students Union to call for a referendum on disaffiliation from NUS 28 On 12 March 2010 the referendum concluded with a majority of voting students choosing to disaffiliate In 2011 the Durham Students Union held a further referendum whereby students taking part in the referendum voted to reaffiliate with the NUS 29 Chinese Embassy incident Edit In 2017 the Chinese Embassy attempted to block supermodel and activist Anastasia Lin from speaking in a debate An official at the embassy warned the Union that the debate which also featured former Foreign Secretary Sir Malcolm Rifkind could damage relations between the UK and China 30 31 Union President Tom Harwood insisted that Everyone has been very polite and the debate went ahead as planned 32 33 Tommy Robinson incident Edit In 2015 the Union cancelled a speech from Tommy Robinson reportedly after pressure from the University 34 Durham Debating Split and Reaffiliation Edit As a result of a December 2020 members referendum Durham Union Debating the student competitive debate wing of the Durham Union voted to leave the wider Durham Union Society and affiliate with the Durham Students Union as the now independent Durham Debating Society In June 2022 the Durham Debating Society voted to reaffiliate with the Durham Union Society and as a result left the Durham Students Union reversing the decision made a year and half before 35 Reciprocal relations Edit The Union s members enjoy reciprocal relations with and use of facilities at the Oxford Union Cambridge Union The Hist Olivaint Conference of Belgium and The Phil both of Trinity College Dublin 36 Notable members Edit Mo Mowlam MP Past Secretary Labour Minister of State most famous for her work on the Good Friday Agreement Crispin Blunt MP Past President Conservative MP for Reigate amp Minister of State 37 General Sir Richard Dannatt Past President former Chief of the General Staff 38 Mark Elliott Past President author of several books on Azerbaijan and travel in Asia 39 Edward Leigh MP Past President Conservative MP for Gainsborough and former Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee 40 Gabby Logan Past Assistant Sponsorship Secretary BBC sports presenter amp contestant on BBC1 s Strictly Come Dancing 2007 Giles Ramsay Past President Founding Artistic Director of the Trident Theatre 41 Dianne Hayter Past Member Former General Secretary of the Fabian Society The Rt Revd Richard Blackburn Former President currently Bishop of Warrington in the Church of England Robert Buckland Past President Conservative MP for Swindon South amp Solicitor General for England and Wales 42 Tracy Philipps Past President Commissioner in Colonial Service and conservationist Tom Harwood Past President Journalist for Guido Fawkes and GB News Academic societies EditArthur Holmes Geological Society Durham Astronomical Society Durham Spaceflight Durham University Accounting and Finance Society Durham University Anthropology Society Durham University Archaeology Society Durham University Biological Society Durham University Business Society Durham University Business Psychology Society Durham University Chemistry Society Durham University Classics Society Durham University Combined Honours Social Society Durham University Computing Society Durham University Economics Society Durham University Education Society Durham University Engineering Society Durham University English Literature Society Durham University Finance Society Durham University French Society Durham University Geographical Society Durham University German Language and Cultures Society Durham University History Society Durham University Law Society Durham University Philosophy Politics and Economics PPE Society Durham University Marketing Society Durham University Mathematical Society Durham University Medical Society Durham University Natural Science Society Durham University Women in STEM Durham University Philosophy Society Durham University Psychology Society Durham University Palaeontological Society Durham Physics Society Durham University Politics and International Relations Society Durham ELSA Durham University Society of Applied Social Science Durham University Sustainable Finance Society Durham University Theology Society Durham University Chemical Society 43 Geology for Global Development Durham Group Drama societies EditDurham Student Theatre Edit Durham Student Theatre DST formerly Durham University Student Theatre DUST is a student run organisation responsible for theatre at Durham University with performances put on every week of term at the Assembly Rooms Theatre 44 DST acts as an umbrella organisation for the many theatre companies based at the university such as Durham University Light Opera Group DULOG 45 There are also numerous college based theatre groups run by the Junior Common Room of the individual colleges some of which are college members only with others being open to all 45 Durham Revue Edit The Durham Revue is an established sketch comedy group In 1974 four students founded DUST Durham University Sensible Thespians which initially produced comedy revue shows exclusively for Durham student audiences 46 However in 1977 under the presidency of Arthur Bostrom DUST took their first show to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 46 This inaugural Fringe show included John Inge Bishop of Worcester and Jennie Campbell former BBC comedy producer 46 The group changed its name to the Durham Revue in 1988 46 Its members write and perform all material themselves and shows are put on annually at the Assembly Rooms Theatre and the professional Gala Theatre where they perform alongside the Cambridge Footlights and the Oxford Revue 47 The Durham Revue also travels yearly to Cambridge Oxford and the Edinburgh Fringe where they perform for the full run of the festival 47 The Durham Revue membership generally consists of six writers and performers Membership is based upon audition and interview and these take place just once a year during Michaelmas Term Former members include Jeremy Vine Nish Kumar Ed Gamble and Alex Macqueen 48 Music Durham EditMusic Durham formerly Durham University Music Society DUMS is a student run organisation responsible for the majority of student music activities at Durham University Performances take place in university venues such as the Great Hall of Durham Castle the Mark Hillery Arts Centre in Collingwood College and the Margot Fonteyn ballroom in Durham Students Union as well as external venues such as Durham Cathedral Durham Town Hall the Gala Theatre and Sage Gateshead Music Durham is an umbrella organisation for the many ensembles based at the university It currently consists of 28 university ensembles including the Orchestral Society DUOS Palatinate Orchestra DUPO Choral Society Big Band Chamber Choir concert band brass band and gamelan 49 There are also many college music groups including chapel choirs chamber ensembles and function bands which perform at college events Miscellaneous societies EditPurple Radio the student radio station Palatinate Durham s independent student run fortnightly newspaper has been continually published since 1948 Mostly Harmless student satirical publication The Grove student literary publication Durham Inter Collegiate Christian Union the university s most prominent student Christian organisation founded in 1931 Durham University Conservative and Unionist Association The University s Conservative SocietyLeisure activities EditFormal Hall a formal dinner in a collegeNotes Edit Presumably the Reverend Ewen George Fitzroy Macpherson BA 1887 and the Reverend James Grove White Tuckey a Trinity College Oxford graduate who was a university lecturer and later chaplain of University College both of whom were in South Africa serving as Chaplain to the Forces 14 15 References Edit Societies at Durham University Durham University Retrieved 11 November 2021 Sears Maddy 30 January 2014 York College Varsity Announced Palatinate Retrieved 7 October 2015 Doxbridge Sports Party Retrieved 7 October 2015 Cambridge Companion To Doxbridge The Tab 22 October 2011 Retrieved 29 October 2015 Hannah Graham 11 April 2016 Meet Durhamstrang the university quidditch team hoping to become European champs Chronicle Live Retrieved 19 April 2016 Durham College Rowing Novice Cup Regatta Archived from the original on 29 January 2009 Retrieved 28 December 2008 HEADS OF HOUSE COMMITTEE Minutes AoB d i PDF Archived from the original PDF on 13 October 2012 Retrieved 21 August 2009 Durham College Rowing Senate Cup Archived from the original on 29 January 2009 Retrieved 28 December 2008 Durham College Rowing Pennant Series Archived from the original on 29 January 2009 Retrieved 28 December 2008 Durham College Rowing Admirals Regatta Archived from the original on 29 January 2009 Retrieved 28 December 2008 a b c d Our History Durham Union Society Retrieved 31 January 2020 a b c d e f g h i j Dockerill Bertie 2017 Forgotten Voices The Debating Societies of Durham and Liverpool 1900 1939 In Burkett Jodi ed Students in Twentieth Century Britain and Ireland Palgrave pp 101 128 Retrieved 31 January 2020 a b Fowler J T 5 June 1912 The Durham Union Society Durham University Journal 20 10 205 Retrieved 30 November 2020 Unattached Members Durham University Calendar 227 1897 Retrieved 17 December 2020 Graduates of the University Durham Durham University 1948 p 230 Fowler 1912 p 206 DUS Minute Book 25 February 1903 University of Durham Special Collections UND GE1 AB2 DUS Minute Book 18 June 1903 University of Durham Special Collections UND GE1 AB2 Durham Union Society Visitors Night Durham University Journal Durham University 20 201 5 June 1912 Retrieved 21 July 2019 Durham Union Society Visitor s Night p 202 Our Buildings and Where to Find Us Durham Union Society via Internet Wayback Machine 10 January 2014 Archived from the original on 10 January 2014 Retrieved 31 January 2020 Durham Union Society Members Socials dus org uk Retrieved 14 February 2017 Adonis Andrew Lord Adonis Tweet Twitter Twitter Delingpole James For a real Oxbridge education you now have to go to Durham The Spectator The Spectator Retrieved 8 March 2018 Tallentire Mark Student union apologises over BNP claim The Northern Echo The Northern Echo Retrieved 8 March 2018 Student union apologises over BNP claim From the Northern Echo Thenorthernecho co uk 10 February 2010 Retrieved 31 May 2010 NUS mis handling prompts backlash Palatinate Newspaper 22 February 2010 Retrieved 22 December 2014 NUS mis handling prompts backlash Palatinate org uk 8 February 2010 Archived from the original on 18 April 2010 Retrieved 31 May 2010 Johnson Daniel 28 January 2011 60 vote to reaffiliate with NUS Palatinate Online Archived from the original on 3 October 2011 Retrieved 8 May 2011 Swerling Gabriella Student debate will harm relations insists China The Times The Times of London Retrieved 8 March 2018 Waterson Jim The Chinese Embassy Told Durham University s Debating Society Not To Let This Former Miss World Contestant Speak At A Debate Buzzfeed Buzzfeed News Retrieved 8 March 2018 Minting Stuart Durham Chinese embassy official calls for speaker to be barred from University debate The Northern Echo The Northern Echo Retrieved 8 March 2018 Durham Union Tweet Twitter The Durham Union Retrieved 8 March 2018 Hopkins Steve Tommy Robinson Speaking Events Cancelled At Edinburgh And Durham Universities After Pegida Speech The Huffington Post Retrieved 8 March 2018 Poppy Debating Society votes to leave Durham Students Union Palatinate Retrieved 11 July 2022 Why Get Involved Durham Union Society Accessed October 2006 Week One Debate Cambridge Union Society Term Card 13 2015 Retrieved 18 March 2020 Sengupta Kim 18 July 2009 Soldier s soldier General Sir Richard Dannatt The Independent Retrieved 18 March 2020 Willis Harriet 18 November 2017 In conversation with Mark Elliott In defence of the travel guide Palatinate Retrieved 18 March 2020 Rt Hon Sir Edward Leigh MP Gainsborough Conservatives Retrieved 18 March 2020 Biography Giles Ramsay via Internet Wayback Machine 29 July 2019 Archived from the original on 29 July 2019 Retrieved 18 March 2020 Durham graduate named Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice Durham University 8 August 2019 Retrieved 18 March 2020 Durham University Chemical Society Retrieved 13 February 2016 What s On Theatre Performance Durham University Archived from the original on 18 March 2020 Retrieved 18 March 2020 a b Durham Student Theatre Our Theatre Companies Retrieved 18 March 2020 a b c d Spotlight on the Durham Revue Durham First 34 25 2013 Retrieved 18 March 2020 a b The Durham Revue Durham Student Theatre Retrieved 18 March 2020 Percival Becky 18 February 2018 In conversation with The Durham Revue Part One The Bubble Retrieved 18 March 2020 Music Durham Ensembles Retrieved 4 July 2021 a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a CS1 maint url status link External links EditDurham University Students Union Durham Union Society Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title List of social activities at Durham University amp oldid 1149623276 Durham Union Society, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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