Hatfield College remembers alumni who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country
Photo: Durham Cathedral from Palace Green floodlit in red for Remembrance weekend.
On Friday 8 November 2024 members of the Hatfield College JCR, MCR and SCR together with alumni and friends remembered alumni of Hatfield College.
College alumni served for King and country during the First World War (1914-1918) and the Second world War (1939 – 1945) were remembered during the Remembrance Service in Hatfield College Chapel with music provided by Hatfield Chapel Choir.
Photo: Remembrance Day Order of Service against the traditional colours of the Hatfield College scarf
The service was followed by the Remembrance Formal meal in the college dining hall where all members paid their respects to the former members of College who had made the ultimate sacrifice.
We are #AllOneHatfield
Photo: Menu card for Remembrance Formal meal in Hatfield College
Formal meals in Hatfield College
When Hatfield College was founded in 1846, it was a revolutionary development in residential higher education.
For the first time, student rooms were let furnished, all meals were taken in Hall, expenses were fixed, reasonable and known in advance.
Students and staff were regarded as a community, cared for and guided by College Officers.
Most of this is fairly general practice now but it took some time before it became an accepted model throughout the world.
The first Master (Principal) of Hatfield College was David Melville.
The main basis of David Melville’s model college was economy to bring the cost of higher education within the means of the financially disadvantaged.
This involved a package deal – an agreed living style more economical that anything which had existed before:
- All rooms were let furnished, with shared servants
- All meals were taken in Hall, communally provided
- Commons were to be fixed at a reasonable rate, known in advance.
In practical terms, this meant that the cost of living in Hatfield was more economical than that of University College (the first College of Durham University, established 1832).
In the fullness of time, this system (which Melville personally commended to W.E. Gladstone), came to be adopted in Durham University after the Royal Commission of 1862 recommended it and then in Oxford at Keble College.
This system – developed first at Hatfield College – then spread throughout the world. Vel Primus Vel Cum Primis.
About Hatfield College
Hatfield College is a vibrant and welcoming community to which each and every student, alongside other college members, belongs. Established in 1846, as the second college of Durham University, with the explicit purpose of being open to a wide range of students, we greatly value the rich diversity of our college members, who come from all sorts of backgrounds and places of origin, with all sorts of interests, experiences and views. We strive to ensure that all Hatfielders have the opportunities and encouragement to be the best they can be, reflecting the words of our motto, Vel Primus Vel Cum Primis.
About the Hatfield Association
The Hatfield Association was established in 1946, at a time when the future of Hatfield College, Durham University was uncertain – this was the first time that Hatfielders came together and probably the finest proof of the legendary Hatfield spirit.
Our aim is to ensure we have a strong, active and engaged network of Hatfield alumni (graduates), to facilitate and build strong relationships with the College and to support its educational and welfare needs.