A Note from the President
I would like to welcome all back to Durham for this Epiphany Term 2022. To anyone reading this who is new to the Durham Union Society we are Durham’s oldest and largest student society. We host a range of guest speakers from many walks of life encouraging debate, discussion, and disagreement through addresses and debates.
Hopefully the term ahead of us will be varied and one that allows Union members’ debate to flourish. This shall be the first full term, with both addresses and debates since before the overpowering force of coronavirus swept away all norms and custom.
When I ran for president at the end of Easter Term last year, I ran on a platform of ‘Open Union’. Therefore, it is a greatly cherished hope of mine that in re-establishing our norms and customs we can return to our previous excellence.
In the same way that the Romanesque arch gave way to Gothic arch, flooding buildings with light and life, with our Covid-secure open windows, we can allow light, air, and full discourse back into the chamber for all events. Like all institutions with a long life the Union has met challenges, learning and evolving from the experience. The Romanesque and Gothic arches may appear at first glance to be an architectural break, though in so many ways continuity shines forth though the coloured glass. The dappled and varied light of debate is still the centrepiece for an evolved arch. The vibrant colour, patterns, and images all come together to make for a complete picture which dazzles the eyes and senses. This complete picture holds all of the spirit and zeal of the past but having adapted is able to partially reframe it.
Post Coronavirus we thankfully are able to make near full use of the chamber once again, but learning from the successes of the past two years we have learnt to bring speakers from afar who otherwise would not have been able to address the Union. Like the evolution of cathedrals, evolving yet using the same footprint to the same end, the Union can now bring you speakers through addresses and debates with limitless possibilities.
This term, gathered in the chamber I see a chorus of voices, gathered in anticipation for our events. We have debates on varied issues, addresses touching multiple topics, and socials with truly awe-inspiring joviality.
I hope that you enjoy the forthcoming events as much as I shall, and that this term leaves you with much food for thought.
Xavier Wain
Epiphany 2022 President
