Take a moment to revisit Term 1 at Josephine Butler College with our alumni round‑up newsletter. Bringing the spirit of Butler to you, wherever you may be.
Image: Butler Day celebrations 2025
As many of you will realise, Josephine Butler College will be celebrating its 20th anniversary next year. The celebrations will kick off in September 2026 and continue through until August 2027. The 20th anniversary is a celebration for all of our community and we are looking forward to welcoming alumni back to Durham for this special year.
Two dates that you may want to mark down in your diaries now are the celebratory event in the Cathedral and alumni weekend. The Cathedral event will be at 19:30pm on 25th November. We have been lucky enough to solicit the talents of three amazing and talented Butler alumni who are curating the performances and readings. While we are not quite ready to reveal the details yet, there is an opportunity for alumni to get involved and perform on the evening. If performing is not your thing, we do hope you will join us as we walk down from Butler to the Cathedral (matriculation style) for the event. It will be a really lovely opportunity for alumni to return to Durham and #getinvolved. Alumni weekend will happen in July 2027. While we are in the earlier stages of planning for the alumni weekend, it is likely the weekend will be a traditional format with accommodation available in college, accommodation, eating and drinking and various events and activities throughout the weekend. We will ensure it will be an inclusive weekend that individuals, groups and families will all enjoy. Please email us at jbalumni.association@durham.ac.uk if you would like to be part of the alumni weekend planning committee.
During the spring 2026, we will release the final celebration calendar and more details of how to get involved during our 20th anniversary year. Some events will be accessible remotely, some will be in Durham and others around the country. If you would like to host your own Butler anniversary event or get involved in one of the ones we are planning, then please get in contact with us at jbalumni.association@durham.ac.uk
Would you like to inspire and support the next generation as they take their first steps into future careers and industries? Are you working for a company eager to connect with some of Durham University’s brightest talent? Or perhaps you simply want a great reason to return to Durham and reconnect with the Butler community?
We are delighted to announce the Annual Josephine Butler Networking Dinner, taking place from 6–9pm on Monday 9th March 2026. This event is a highlight of our college calendar: an evening that brings together current students and alumni for conversation, inspiration, and opportunity. For students, it is a chance to learn from those who have gone before them. For alumni, it is a chance to share your journey, showcase your career, and reconnect with the college that helped shape it.
If you would like to be part of this special evening, please let us know by completing the Alumni Expression of Interest Form linked below by 11th February 2026 2026 Networking Event - Alumni expression of interest form fill in form.
More information about how to sign up to these events will follow in February 2026.
Butler Day is 6 June 2026 and all alumni are invited to attend. Booking information will be available in our next newsletter at the end of Term 2.
We have a number of seats reserved on high table for every formal. If you are planning a trip to Durham, working in the area or would like an excuse to pop along please feel free to get in touch via jbalumni.association@durham.ac.uk and arrange to attend one of the following formals:
Image: Our Returners Formal during Term 1
We welcomed 647 new students in September 2025. Of those, 547 where undergraduates and 100 postgraduates. Over 60 Freps, along with the JCR, MCR, College staff and international committee, provided a really warm welcome. Many of the teams and societies had taster sessions during the week and there were a number of themed evenings such as Neon night, Slumber party, a Night Under the Big Top. There was also the traditional night out in Newcastle as well as a large number of quieter events such as necklace and bracelet making, cookie decorating, and a board game evening that needed to be relocated to Howlands Hall due to its popularity.
We have introduced two new student support initiatives this term. Every Wednesday during term time, The Student support team in partnership with the JCR and MCR hold a drop in session Wellbeing Wednesdays in JB’s between 2–4pm during which students can chat to the Student support team, get Peer support from the JCR welfare, take part in crafts, jigsaws and games or use the space for whilst helping yourself to free hot drinks and snacks. Monday Mindset provides a calm, focussed space for students to get things done, whether it’s pre-reading, finishing that formative, tackling a lab report, or finally starting their summative.
The JCR is led this year by Josh Barrett (President) and Adam Johnstone (FACSO). Both Josh and Adam graduated in 2025 with degrees in Geography and Computer Science, respectively. Ermando Canga was elected as our MCR President. Ermando is studying for a PhD in Bio Sciences. Helen Elderkin continues in her role as the SCR President.
The new JCR President Josh Barrett (Butler ‘25), has been working diligently with the JCR executive and Trustees to safeguard the JCR’s long-term future by working on charity governance, recruiting three additional external trustees to their board, and introducing a new Compliance & Governance Officer onto the JCR Executive Committee. There will be further Trustee recruitment drives in the future for those alumni who would like to get involved. In addition, the JCR has recently introduced an EDI Officer onto the executive committee to ensure that the JCR and its events and activities are as inclusive and welcoming as possible.
Image: A recent Josephine Butler community event
This past summer, second-year Josephine Butler College students Aston Burdett and Charlie Duncan embarked on an extraordinary challenge: a month-long cycle ride down the stunning Norwegian coastline, raising funds for our Butler Cares programme and supported by Butler Engage (formerly named Butler Gold). The pair started their ride on 26th August and finished a month later on 26th September. They covered an incredible 2,600 km from Tromsø in the Arctic Circle, through the picturesque Lofoten Islands, past Bergen, and finally into Oslo. The journey was far from easy, with most nights spent camping along rugged roads and mountain trails. Along the way, the duo experienced unforgettable moments, including seeing snow for the first time in September. After 26 days of riding daily, Aston and Charlie took a much-needed rest day in Bergen before tackling the final push to Oslo. With just seven days before their flight home and under a little bit of time pressure, they cut straight into the mountains, following remote trails accessible only by bike or on foot. For two days, they rode alongside a train line, creating a challenging end to their journey. The idea for the trip began as a summer bonding adventure, but Aston saw an opportunity to make a difference. In total, they raised nearly £500 for Butler Cares, a programme dedicated to supporting Butler students in need. Want to see more pictures from the trip? Please visit Aston’s Instagram page @ast0n_jay
The Winter Warmer event this year curated by Michale Cheung (JCR Vice President) supported the local charity RT Minds. RT Minds is a Durham-based mental health charity that uses art and human connection to help individuals to find meaning, rebuild confidence and reconnect with life.
JBCFC have been running a series of challenges and have so far raised £5k for Movember. The challenges undertaken by the club included a walk from Durham to Northeast landmarks such as Holy Island and Angel of the North, a football match wearing formal dining attire, a JBCFC tattoo, as well as numerous of other challenges some of which were quite quirky. Several other clubs and societies have also been participating in Movember fundraising efforts including bake sales, sport switches (Butler Cheer and DU rugby league) and charity runs. As of the end of term, we estimate that around £7K has been raised by Butler clubs, societies and committees for the Movember fundraising campaign.
