Golden Jubilee Celebration at Corpus Christi College Tortoise Fair Raises Funds for Papyrus UK

On the 26th of May, Corpus Christi College celebrated the 50th anniversary of its annual tortoise fair, which had been paused during the COVID-19 pandemic. The event, aimed at supporting suicide prevention charity Papyrus UK, saw a lively gathering of students and guests.

The festivities were highlighted by captivating performances from renowned bands like Oxford Comma, Doubletime, Dots Funk Odyssey, We Should Sleep More, and the Corpus band. Amidst the rain, attendees enjoyed music and a BBQ stall set up in the main garden of the college.

The main event, the tortoise race, took place indoors at the auditorium due to the inclement weather. Spectators eagerly watched as favorites like Aristurtle of St Peter’s College, Archie of Wadham College, and many others vied for victory. Despite the rain, the excitement was palpable, with some enthusiasts even standing outside to catch a glimpse of the racing tortoises.

Notable entrants included last year’s champion, Aristurtle, along with competitors like Foxe (Corpus Christi College), Kale (Nuffield College), Metella (Wolfson College), Monty (St Edmund Hall), Tessa (New College), Toby (Trinity College), Tortilla (Lincoln College), Truffle (Regent’s Park College), and Wendy (Balliol College). It was Kale from Nuffield College who emerged triumphant in her debut race, earning the prestigious McEwen-Benatar Award for Tortoise Racing Excellence.

Aside from the tortoise race, a human tortoise race added to the entertainment with students from various colleges participating in the main garden. Niall from Worcester College claimed victory, followed by Arran from St John’s College and Emily from Exeter College. Despite a disqualification, Sacha from Merton College was recognized for the best costume.

The entire tortoise race was live-streamed for those unable to attend in person, capturing the thrill and spirit of the jubilee celebration. Viewers can relive the excitement on the event’s Facebook page, showcasing the unique blend of fun, competition, and charity at Corpus Christi’s historic tortoise fair.