2026 Link Visit to Cambridge

Our weekend in Cambridge through the eyes of Rtn Hilary Hogg

Airplanes landed, trains arrived and cars parked for our link visit in the university town of Cambridge. 97 enthusiastic Rotarians arrived from Pinner, Brugge West, Meerbusch and Pulchri Den Haag.

Many of us enjoyed the privilege of staying in Jesus College in an atmosphere that was calm and conducive to study. The remainder stayed at Wilde Apartments nearby, with a lively student vibe. We all came together for a communal breakfast in the historic Jesus College Hall.

On Friday evening we welcomed our fellow Rotarians to the Keynes Library and Fairfax Rhodes Room in the Cambridge Union building, home of the historic debating society. Our overseas friends who had travelled to meet us declared the journey and ETA forms for entry to the UK were no obstacle.

On Saturday morning we met in the courtyard of the Round Church for our Cambridge walking tour. At Trinity College we stopped to admire a descendant of Newton’s Apple Tree, famous for inspiring his law of gravity.

On to King’s College where we had a tour of the world-famous Chapel. Inside we admired the magnificent vaulted ceiling, the stained glass windows and the gold organ pipes heralded by angels with trumpets. On Sunday afternoon some of us listened to the organ’s full spectrum of acoustic ability as it was masterfully played. 

A walk along the river Cam took us to our lunch venue at Westminster College, followed by a free afternoon to explore.

Saturday evening was a fine dining experience at Queens College Old Hall, built in the 15th century. The black wood-panelled walls, the ornate wallpaper, the stained glass windows and the painting of Erasmus formed the backdrop to our formal feast, after which the President or President Elect of each club addressed the gathering.

On Sunday we went Punting down the Cam (where would a visit to Cambridge be without a punt), viewing the colleges from a different angle. Afterwards a short walk took us to our farewell lunch at Jesus College where we said our au revoirs until next year in Brugge.

What a joyful experience - how can anyone fail to appreciate the friendships formed between our Rotarian colleagues over the course of many Link Visits - the first involving Pinner took place in 1981.

Many thanks to the organising committee who did an excellent job, I heard people remark it was the best link visit ever!

Hilary Hogg
Currently RC Witney, formerly RC Pinner