In 1803 a Mention

The custom of presenting wooden spoons appears to have arisen in 1803 at Cambridge and was begun in New Zealand Universities tournaments in 1927. Canterbury were awarded a wooden jam spoon. Byron the poet records this tradition in Don Juan (1820)—a poem most students have or should have read.

"Sure my invention must down at zero,
And I grown one of many wooden spoons'
Of verse (the name with which we Cantabs please
To dub the last of honours in degrees)"

When the trophy was first presented it was placed on show for a week in James Smiths' window. For almost ever afterwards it appears to have come to display in our trophy case.

"Where"—we can hear someone saying—"is the trophy case?" On the left wall near the main stairs. Your attention and interest is invited.