Manor Hall, the student home of many leading University of Bristol alumni such as Jemima Goldsmith (BA 2002) and David Walliams (BA 1992), celebrates its 75th anniversary tomorrow [Saturday 26 April].
Guest speaker and former Manor Hall resident, Professor Dame Carol Black, former President of the Royal College of Physicians, will preside at the event which will also be attended by a number of past and current students of the University and local residents including, Stephen Williams, the Liberal Democrat MP for Bristol West, Sir James Tidmarsh, the former Lord Lieutenant of the city and county of Bristol, and former Lord Mayor, Alderman Bill Martin.
The celebrations will begin with a performance by the University Chinese lion dance troupe, followed by a tour of the hall, the annexes and grounds, a classical concert in the Library, a drinks reception in the gallery (which is dedicated to the Bristol artist, the late John Stops) and a dinner.
The hall stands in the grounds of the 18th century manor house of Clifton and was designed by the architect, Sir George Oatley. It was originally built between 1927 and 1932 to house female students who came to the University to train as teachers for the Board Schools in the city and adjoining counties, and remained an all female hall until 1978.
The hall was partly funded with monies left in the will of Alderman Harry Wills. It had a narrow escape during the war, receiving a number of direct hits from incendiary bombs, which burned the roof and gutted part of the building. Its survival is said to owe much to the planning of Sir George, many of whose buildings had stonework which was designed to last 400 years.
Chris Didcote, Chairman of the Manor Hall Association, said: “For 75 years Manor Hall has provided so much more than just a bed for its residents, offering invaluable pastoral care and a happy community life to all of those who have passed through its doors. I hope that the good work of the hall continues long into the future and look forward to celebrating its centenary.”