Punting for the Pastorate
Our long-awaited 'Punt for the Pastorate' event took place on a beautiful Sunday afternoon in April at the beginning of Trinity term. Four punting teams, students, alumni, chaplains and academics, completed a very Oxford time trial: dodging ducks, paper boats, and other punters in a circuit of the St Hilda's river island on the Cherwell.
Friends, supporters, and students shared a cream tea in the sunshine, while some of the children made and sailed paper boats on the river. We celebrated the winning team - the highly competitive academic punt! - with a victory ceremony, complete with golden cup presented by OP Council Chair Tim Maughan.
Points for most self-sacrificial effort, however, went to the chaplains' punt with current Pastorate Chaplain Bethan taking an unexpected dip in the river.
Generous sponsorship of the various boats raised an amazing £1500 for the ongoing work of the Pastorate. We hope to run the event again next summer - prospective punters are welcome to put their names forward!
