Introduction from the JCR President, Maddie
Hey everyone! I’m Maddie (she/her) and I’m so excited to be your JCR President this year. I’m from a little village in Suffolk and graduated in summer 2023 with a degree in English Literature. My time at Durham and, more specifically, Mary’s has been incredible, and I could not be more delighted to welcome you to what is a truly special community. 
As your JCR President, my top priority is to represent the undergraduate student body to the very best of my ability, whether that be overseeing balls and formals, sports and societies, welfare and more! I will be coordinating and working with this year’s brilliant JCR Exec (who you’ll meet further down this section) to ensure you all have a successful year. No matter how daunting or unimaginable it might feel at present, your university years will be some of the most memorable of your life and here at Mary’s, it’s my privilege to play a part in helping to create those memories for you all.
Throughout my time here, I’ve thrown myself into student life. I’ve been a member of the incredible Mary’s Dance since my first year; this is the college dance troupe that performs at a range of events like fashion shows and balls across both college and the university. It’s an amazingly supportive and inclusive group with members who range from total beginners to experienced dancers, so definitely something to give a go! I’ve also sang with Mary’s very own Basement Jazz since my first year and was the President last year, meaning I got to organise performing at lots of really cool gigs, such as the June Ball (which takes place in the Castle) and Caledonian Society White Tie Ball to name a few. Even so, nothing beats performing to a home crowd and singing in front of my friends at Mary’s balls or Mary’s day will always remain cherished memories. 
Alongside these hobbies and many hours in the Billy B (a Durham term for the Bill Bryson library, which I’m sure you’ll all get to know well!) I’m always partial to a Durham coffee or brunch date (there are SO many amazing cafes and restaurants to explore), and also love to walk along the river.
For me, it’s the inclusivity of Mary’s that really shines through. For example, last year we hosted an intercollegiate pride formal, where it was so genuinely touching to see people across the university coming together to celebrate themselves and each other. With such a huge plethora of sports and societies, I hope there’s something for everyone to try and, if you wish, you can also explore starting new societies; this was the case with Eurovision Society, which quickly became very popular! During Freshers’ week, you will have the chance to attend the college Sports and Societies Fair, as well as Taster Sessions, and I’d encourage you to try as much as possible; you never know what might surprise you!
A little piece of advice: don’t let the movies on netflix disappoint you… Freshers’ week might not be the craziest or most incredible week of your life. Sometimes you might feel it’s better to miss a bigger event or take some time for yourself amongst the business. Trust the process and trust yourself: you will find your people and your niche, even if not immediately. One thing’s for sure, the friendly reputation of this college is certainly accurate; you will always find someone to talk to, whether that be staff or students and of course, my door (metaphorical and literal) will always be open. As you prepare to arrive, please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns you might have, no matter how big or small.
Congratulations again on working so hard and making it to Durham’s prettiest and friendliest college (this is definitely not just my bias, but an opinion held across the university!). I cannot wait to meet you all and share what I’m sure will be a brilliant year in an even better place!
Mary’s love,
Maddie xx
St Mary’s College JCR President 2023/4.
JCR Vice President: William Banner, Economics, 3rd year
Hi! I am Will and I am delighted to be your JCR Vice President (VP) for 2023-24.
My responsibilities around college, alongside supporting Maddie and working with the rest of the JCR exec, include representing the s
tudent voice in meetings regarding general college operations, including catering. Furthermore, I’m in charge of the Tour Committee, managing room bookings and taking the minutes at JCR meetings. I will also take charge of the @mouthful.of.marys instagram where I’ll be posting the daily menus for livers in so make sure to give it a follow!
I have the privilege of organising Mary’s annual charity Michaelmas Dinner, held in November. Last year I founded the Charity Committee so will be working with the Social Chair on events throughout the year to raise money to go towards our chosen charity. I will also sit on the Mary’s Day 2024 Committee, for which I have great plans for our 125th Anniversary! To celebrate this milestone, I plan to work with the Development Officer (a new role I created last year) to strengthen alumni ties and invite Old Marians to events to tell us about their lives and careers and how they were shaped by Mary’s.
The Vice President’s flat is located adjacent to the President’s flat on the first floor of the West Wing of Fergusson. I will often be present at the drop-in sessions in one of the two JCR offices so please feel free to come say hi. I am very approachable and would love to answer any questions you may have through my VP email address or via Facebook.
A bit about me: I am a third year Economics student and hold a Laidlaw Scholarship in Research and Leadership. I have experience working in economic consulting, specialising in competition economics, and am also a Zumba instructor. I love Mary’s and am very active in college. I was JCR Treasurer last year and this year I hold exec positions in Mary’s Dance and Yoga Society, as well as the Eurovision Society which I founded in my first year. You’ll see me on Saturday mornings at Park Run, which is a great thing to get involved in during your time at Mary’s (just ask Dave Robson!)
There’s something about Mary’s, as you will soon learn, and I can reassure all freshers that you will be just fine and have very exciting, fun times ahead in such a warm, welcoming and tight-knit community.
Don’t hesitate to email me with any questions: william.a.banner@durham.ac.uk
Mary’s Love x
Meet the JCR Executive Committee (‘Exec’)
Ordered alphabetically by position name
Arts President : Cerys Chadd, Ancient History, 3rd year
Hey everyone I’m Cerys a third year Ancient History student and I will be your Arts President for this year! My role involves working with all the art societies in Mary’s, from Music groups to Fine Art to promote involvement in Art within Mary’s. I work closely with the Presidents of individual Art societies in Mary’s, Music Representative, and of course the St Mary’s Art Society Exec. The art’s society and I aim to support different groups within Marys in hosting their own arts events, making art accessible and welcoming within the Marys community. Another aspect of my role is organising arts week, traditionally held in February, which ends with one of Mary’s three major balls of the year: The Masquerade Ball. I will help to oversee the ball’s organising along with the Masquerade Ball committee. Please come to me with any questions or ideas you may have!! I look forward to seeing you all!
Bar Steward: Alex Maidens, Business and Management, 2nd year
Hey guys, my name’s Alex and I am a second-year student studying business and management and I’m from Shrewsbury.
This year I am Mary’s Bar Steward, so I’ll be meeting most of you during fresher’s week. The bars a great place to come meet people and socialise. As is true in the working world, you’ll make some of your best mates at the bar. Mary’s Basement might not be the flashiest place but it’s the people on both sides of the bar that make it what it is. The space itself is soon to be completely refurbished, but in the meantime, we’re trying to make it the best it can be. So, whether we only see you for sports socials on Wednesdays, or whether you’re a regular, me and all the staff at Marys Bar at looking forward to meeting you.
Any questions just come and ask, whether it’s about life in college or you’re thinking about joining the bar dream team, we’re here to help.
JCR Chair: Eleanor Betts, French and German, 2nd Year
Hi everyone! I’m Eleanor (she/her) and I’m in second year studying French and German. I am delighted to be your JCR Chair for this year! Firstly, congratulations on your results and a warm welcome to Durham University and an even warmer welcome to St Mary’s College! 
In my role as Chair, the main things that you’ll see me doing are running the JCR Meetings, overseeing elections and procedures and observing interviews. I’m sure you’re wondering, what is a JCR Meeting? Well, everything that happens in college (from formals to balls or sports to societies and even welfare and this Freshers’ Week) is impacted by the JCR and therefore the meetings that we have are key to making sure all these things in college run smoothly.
The meetings take place every few weeks in the Dining Hall during term time and they are attended by members of the JCR (which you’ll be if you opt in for membership when you join us). The meetings are compulsory to first year students that live in college and then anyone else can attend if they wish to; we even have a livestream that older students and livers-out can watch from home! Don’t forget your gowns! We wear our gowns to JCR meetings (the same ones that you’ll have for matriculation during Freshers’ Week) but you don’t have to worry about wearing anything formal underneath it – normal clothes, sportswear and pajamas are all fine!
During the meetings, we follow the agenda and motions are presented, candidates run for election, questions of officers are answered, and announcements are made.
Over the Summer, I am making more of a guide to the JCR meetings and procedures and I will also be uploading stories/highlights with this information to the Chair Instagram page: @marysjcrchair So go check that out and give it a follow so that you can stay up to date with JCR information throughout the year. There’s also more information over on our page – Linktr.ee/MarysChair – and if you like the idea of getting involved with the student leadership here through the JCR roles, keep your eye on your emails and on my Instagram page (marysjcrchair) as I’ll be announcing roles throughout the year, starting with the role of JCR Assistant Chair!
If you have any questions about the JCR, its meetings or anything else, drop me an email at st-marys.chair@durham.ac.uk. We will also be running a practice JCR meeting at the end of Freshers’ Week so that you know what to expect, so I’ll see you there!
JCR Treasurer: Holly Felstead, Business Management, 4th year
Hi Mary’s, I’m Holly and I’m your Treasurer for 2023-24. I am a 4th year Business Management student returning from my placement year at BMW UK.
During my time at Mary’s I’ve been involved in SMCNC as Social Sec in my second year and various event committees from Midsummer to Mary’s Day. As Treasurer I will be looking after all the payments in and out of the JCR, this includes reimbursements to students, payments for clubs and societies as well as all of our events. I will be responsible for the budgets and the financial reporting but this year I want to bring a new element to the role. I’m hoping to make the role of Treasurer not only about the finances of the JCR but also the students, so I will be launching an Instagram page with helpful cost saving tips aswell as a pre-made budgeting spreadsheet. I will also be head of the Finance Committee, of which the purpose is to vote on any spending requests we receive from students.
Some of my favourite memories from Mary’s have been the formals, balls and other college events that I have been to and helped organise, but I also appreciate that this comes at a cost. My goal this year is to make sure these are accessible to every student, and highlight some of our financial support options.
I’m really looking forward to being your Treasurer this year. Please let me know if you have any questions or suggestions on anything finance related.
Representative Officer: Vacant
Senior International Students’ Representatives: Asante Gantsho and Randi Holwerda
You’ve probably met them in the Fresher Reps section of the website!
Senior Welfare Officers: Pip Pearson and Bee Wilkes
You’ll meet us in the Welfare section of the website!
Social Chair: Lucas Mahal, Engineering, 2nd year
Hi Everyone! I’m Lucas, an engineering student who loves Mary’s wholeheartedly and I will be your social chair for the year 2023/2024. This means as your Social Chair I will be planning and running most of the events throughout this year at Mary’s including the Summer Ball, Formals, Informals and many many more. My goal is to make every event feel like something completely new and different so every single one can be as enjoyable as possible.
All I want to say is that I am extremely grateful to the people in the JCR during my first year for making Mary’s genuinely incredible. Mary’s Day in particular was amazing because it is just a day of fun with everyone that you have met throughout your time at University to catch up and celebrate your time together. I want to make sure others have an amazing time at Mary’s just like I have!
You can get involved in these events held at Mary’s in any way, shape or form. This can be from helping with setup if you have spare time, to coming to the decorations sessions held throughout the year for each event. There will also be positions open on the Social Committee for the events we run, some include the Publicity Officer, Events Manager, Formal Secretary and more. There are many ways to get involved, and if you have any questions or ideas for events to be run throughout the year, don’t hesitate to get in touch at st-marys.social@durham.ac.uk.
Sports and Societies Officer: Phoebe Kingston, English and History, 2nd year
Hello hello! I’m Phoebe, a South African second year student, and I’ll be your sports and societies officer for this year! My first year at Mary’s was made so incredible by all of the sports and societies that are on offer and were so quick to welcome me in. They say Mary’s is the friendliest college and it really does feel like a family by the end of your first year.
My job is looking after the sports and socs at Mary’s and making sure they are running to the best of their ability. I’ll do things like communicate between Team Durham and the Mary’s captains as well as making sure there is always someone to run the sports and socs that we have available. I’ll also try to get as many of you as possible involved in life at college so get excited! We have a HUGE range of things to get involved in, whether you’re into badminton or frisbee, art, poetry, gaming, journalism, or music, we are sure to have something for you. If you’re interested in something that isn’t on our list, start it! Come have a chat to me and I’ll help you set up your own society. I’ll also be telling you all about the opportunities and matches that we have throughout this year so make sure you follow the Instagram pages to keep up to date!
Life at Mary’s is always busy and there is always something going on at college. My advice is to dive straight in and embrace the chaos. There’s so much to look forward to this year- Freshers’ Week, the blossoming of the cherry blossom trees, formals and balls, PGN, Festival of Sport and Mary’s Day of course. I hope to be seeing all of you at some point whether it’s on a sports pitch, field or court or in the JCR, dining hall or on stage. You’ll get to hear about all of the sports and socs at the fresher’s fair in your first week at college so see you there!
SU Representative: Vacant