Vicky Kleiner likes old things. If pressed, she will name “cucumber sandwiches and rose-patterned wallpaper” as examples of the world she feels is on the brink of disappearing. This is why she has thrown a tea party in her room in Trinity every Sunday afternoon since she arrived at Cambridge in 2006.

“I’m sad that ‘tea’ doesn’t really happen any more,” she said. “It’s a great way to bond: give people tea and cake and they’ll love you. Although that might not work in Afghanistan.”

Vicky was brought up in London, and went to Queen’s Gate, a small private girls’ school in Kensington. She was an only child, except for her dog Rupert. Her father works in the art world, which influenced her choice of degree: she is in her second year of reading History of Art.

“My parents taught me to be a good hostess” – a skill she has demonstrated over and over again at Cambridge. Her interests include archery, real tennis and Jane Austen, and after graduating she plans to do an MPhil, before herself embarking on a career in art. Last term she founded the Trinity Arts Society – “Trinity Tarts” – and is also head of the college’s Music Society.

But it is for her tea parties that Vicky has earned her legendary status. They started small last year, but have now grown into a University institution.

“There’s something very special about the mid-afternoon; I just wanted to give everyone an afternoon away from the internet, Cindies and writing essays”, she said.

To that end, Vicky goes to Fortnum & Mason every Friday afternoon to ensure the best selection of cakes. There are now so many guests that she quickly runs out of cups every week, and it is not uncommon to see people sipping their tea from martini glasses. The atmosphere is generally well-behaved: when asked whether there was ever rowdiness, Vicky replies, “The worst I’ve ever seen is people slipping vodka into their tea, but I don’t really mind.”

Hugo Gye