Woman changes 500-year tradition

Former masseuse to be first woman porter at Jesus College

A former sports masseuse is to be the first woman porter at Jesus College, ending a centuries-old tradition.

Helen Stephens, 43, is the first woman to hold the post since undergraduates began arriving at the Cambridge University college in 1496.

Women students were first admitted to the college in the 1970s.

The college now has to pick a suitable uniform for her. The 11 male gate porters are dressed in blue suits and bowler hats.

Gate porters 'man' receptions to Oxbridge colleges and ensure buildings and grounds are secure, while keeping an eye on students.

Famous fictional character

It is estimated no more than three or four women work as college porters at Cambridge.

Porters were made famous by the 1974 Tom Sharpe novel Porterhouse Blue, which was set in a fictitious Cambridge University college and had a head porter called Skullion as its central character.

Miss Stephens previously worked as a massage therapist at Wentworth golf, tennis and health club in Surrey.

Jesus College officials say she was appointed "simply because she was the best candidate".

"It never crossed my mind that we were making history until we'd appointed her," said the college's Head Porter, Grahame Appleby.