Fiona Cornish: “Trinity Hall is life-enhancing”

What first drew you to Trinity Hall, and what were your impressions when you arrived?

I had been at an all girls school and was keen to come to a mixed college. There were only 6 mixed colleges when I applied so I visited them and liked the atmosphere of Trinity Hall best. It felt a friendly place, with beautiful gardens and a river front.

When I arrived in October 1978, I had a warm welcome and felt at home very quickly. As we were the second year of girls, the anxieties about having girls in a previously all male college had worn off, and the staircases were all mixed. I wasn’t totally impressed with the bathrooms, but that wasn’t what I had come for! I was in Latham Court, which was great, as I felt right in the middle of the college, near the Hall, and not far from the Porters’ Lodge.

What I loved was the opportunity to embrace so much in a day at Trinity Hall. As a medic, we had wall-to-wall lectures and practicals every morning until 1pm. But then I might go and play tennis at Wychfield, go to an orchestra or choir practice in the evening, or go to a debate at the Union, or meet friends.

There were some memorable Fellows of the college, for example Dr Jonathan Steinberg, who took such an interest in every student. I wasn’t doing History, but he ran the college orchestra and I got to know him well. Bill Grundy was another very memorable character, who gave marvellous Pharmacology supervisions. There are hundreds of qualified doctors who all had the same experience.

What impact did Trinity Hall have on your future?

Trinity Hall gave me a fantastic start to my medical career. I went on to St Thomas’s for my clinical training, but came back to Cambridge for my Finals, assisted by a few more supervisions from Bill Grundy and others.

I remained friends with many students I met over my 3 years. It is a very strong bond.

I happened to come back to Cambridge to do my GP Training Scheme, and worked as a GP in the very practice where I and many Trinity Hall students were registered. The practice then moved to Newnham Walk. I had the pleasure of looking after many cohorts of Trinity Hall students, and I enjoyed asking them about their experience, and comparing notes.

I am easily able to attend Alumni events, and thoroughly enjoy all the participation.

As we celebrate 50 years of co-education, what message would you like to share with future generations of women coming to Trinity Hall?

Congratulations on joining a wonderful college. It’s hard to believe that in the 676 years the college has existed, women have only been allowed in for 50 of those years!

Make the most of your time and get involved with as many activities as possible. Opportunities for men and women at Trinity Hall are equal, so although it has been a men’s college for all those years, everything is open to you now.

Your time will go amazingly quickly so take all opportunities while you can, and have a fantastic time.

Describe Trinity Hall in one word.

My one word to describe Trinity Hall is life-enhancing.