Holywell Manor, Oxford
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Holywell Manor is the building currently housing the bulk of Balliol College's post-graduate population. It is located on the corner of St. Cross Road and Manor Road, next to St. Cross Church.
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[edit] History
The oldest surviving part of the site is the 16th century farmhouse which now houses the Prefaectus's lodgings. It was acquired by Balliol in 1929, prior to which it had been a convent and home for unmarried mothers (though it was deserted by 1929). The purchase was planned by Kenneth Norman Bell in order to provide accommodation for undergraduates and was funded by donations to the Balliol Society which he had founded expressly for this purpose. The extensive extensions to the original manor were designed by the architect George Kennedy. These include the road facing façade, the entrance courtyard and the grand Queen Anne style wings surrounding the distinctive two rows of Ginkgo trees planted by C S Orwin.
The Manor opened in 1932 and remained a hostel for Balliol's undergraduates until the 1960s, except for during the war when it was lent to St. Hugh's. It then became a mixed graduate community shared with St. Anne's college's female graduates. Finally in 1984, after Balliol had begun accepting women it took its current form as a residence just for Balliol's graduates.
The building was significantly extended in 1993 with the construction of the James Fairfax Yard block off the manor's north wing.
[edit] Art
Kenneth Norman Bell was always closely involved with the British art world, and began an association between Holywell and the arts which still continues. What is now one of the Manor's computer rooms is decorated with murals painted by Gilbert Spencer, the brother of Stanley Spencer, and the MCR houses many more contemporary works. In addition, the garden contains a fountain by Peter Lyon and a wind sculpture by George Rickey.
[edit] The MCR Community
The graduate community now housed by Holywell Manor is known as being one of the most vibrant in Oxford, with a strong international feel. The MCR runs a bar and organises regular social events. Much like Balliol's undergraduates, the graduates of Holywell Manor are known for being particularly politically active and the MCR is well represented in other Oxford organisations.[citation needed]
[edit] Famous Residents
- Bill Clinton stayed in South Wing Room 37 during his time in Oxford.[citation needed]
[edit] Facilities
- The "Megaron" Bar - This is unusual amongst college bars both for being student run and for operating on an honesty basis.
- The MCR - The common room is furnished with comfortable seating and is stocked with a fairly exhaustive set of newspapers and magazines. Wi-Fi access is also provided.
- The laundry room
- Computer rooms
- TV Room
- Gym
- Music practice rooms - These are currently in construction in the basement area that previously housed the "Cockpit" dining hall.
[edit] References
- [1] - Brief history by Oswyn Murray in the Balliol alumni magazine, Floreat Domus.
[edit] Links
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