Masterful

News of Roger Mosey's move from the BBC to the Master's Lodge at Selwyn College, Cambridge, took the wind out of a range of sails yesterday.

Roger seeemed to be first with the announcement to his 7,000-odd Twitter followers at 4.00am. He's offered to explain the background to a couple of inquiring journalists, but, frankly, it's more fun to imagine what went on. Indeed, a number of senior people have amused themselves role-playing various conversations between the Editorial Director of 56 Days and the Director-General.

It was December 6th 2012 when Professor Richard Bowring, now 66, announced his intention to retire as Head of House at Selwyn College in September 2013. He's recently been awarded the Order of the Rising Sun 3rd Class, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon for contributions to the development of Japanese studies, Japanese language education and the promotion of mutual understanding between Japan and the UK.

The College advertised the vacancy on the 12th of February this year; invited those interested to submit a cv and covering letter by the 15th March, and talked about meeting Electors in the Easter Term, which began on 17th April. Roger mentions two visits to the College on Twitter. On 7th May, Roger was unveiled as the BBC's first Editorial Director, moving from Acting Director of Vision, after the appointment of Danny Cohen. On June 4th Bishop Grosseteste University in Lincoln announced Roger was to be their new Chair of Council - a part-time commitment - with the agreement of Lord Hall.

The Master's Lodge at Selwyn was constructed in 1883, designed by Sir Arthur Blomfield, with accommodation for 13 maids. Today it offers a living room, a study, two rooms for official entertaining and other use, two kitchens, five bedrooms (one en-suite) two further bathrooms and a private garden.  All in the deal, but classified as a taxable benefit. The job pays between a third and a half of Point 73 on the University Pay Scale (currently £75,834) - depending on a mutual agreement. Other benefits include subsidised private health care, a substantial entertainment allowance, dining rights, and administrative support.

In the old days, the Charter of Selwyn insisted that the Master was a Clerk in Holy Orders - chapel attendance was compulsory for undergraduates until 1935. In this recruitment process, they sought "a person of integrity and stature with a distinguished record of leadership and achievement who will command the intellectual respect of the Fellowship", expected to serve for at least five years.

College life ? The Boat Club is the biggest undergraduate society, with around half each year's intake trying the river.  Seven boats in all; the First progressed three places in the May Bumps, but are still stuck in Division 2 - all other boats lost ground. Rugby is shared with Peterhouse. The College Choir has ambition, and a number of recordings. The JCR has been in the red every year for the last three years. Kiwi is the student magazine.

Academically, by the rather blunt tool of the Tompkins' Table, which gives points for degree classes, Selwyn ranked 7th out of 29 Cambridge colleges in 2012. I can't find Baxter Table figures.

There are two formal dinners each week of term - the final menu in June:

Goats Cheese Bruschetta with Walnuts & Creamy Mustard Dressed Salad Leaves 

Pangasius Bonne Femme 

V. Spinach & Mushroom Filo Parcels New Potatoes Broccoli 

Apricot & White Chocolate Fool Topped with Praline 

Coffee & After Dinner Mints

Pangasius is a catfish, farmed in the Mekong Delta, and available in Marks and Spencer.

Selwyn has taken to hold a Snowball rather than a May Ball. Here's the highlights from 2012. Note the helter skelter outside the Master's Lodge.