[HDNG]INTRODUCTION:[EHDNG][PARA][BULL] The College is part of University of Cambridge and students are entitled to use its facilities.[EBOLD][PARA]500 yards from King's Parade is Cambridge University's sports centre - oops, that should be, is the [ITAL]elegant [EITAL]Downing College, an expanse of spacious lawns and classical architecture of the last 200 years. [ITAL]After its emphasis on sports and hearty virility - oh all right, equal with it - comes a will to work and get results. Social stewing can take precedence over banner-waving, but Downing students are active on the University-wide hack scene as well.[EITAL][PARA][PARA]Large [ITAL]plush[EITAL] bar; student bands in Howard Building (theatre, cap 120) and Dining Hall (400); bops fortnightly in Party Room (120); music practice rooms; biennial May Ball. 'Amigo' scandal mag. New library (40,000 books); 10 computers; CofE chapel. Successes in cricket, rowing, karate and others. Sports fields (9 acres) 1 mile away; [ITAL]good [EITAL]sports facilities on site. Students guaranteed rooms in the 1st year, most live in thereafter; College owns surrounding houses for single sex 2nd and 3rd year housing. Pay-as-you-eat dining hall; 3 formal dinners per week; vegetarian option; no self catering. Nurse; counselling; free taxi service for women; rape alarms; room for disabled student; hardship fund; travel grant.[HDNG]FAMOUS ALUMNI:[EHDNG][PARA]Mike Atherton (England cricketer); Quentin Blake (illustrator); John Cleese (funny fella); Sir Peter Hall, Trevor Nunn (theatre directors); Brian Redhead (late broadcaster); Sir Graham Smith (former Astronomer Royal); Michael Winner (director and restaurant critic).
