Old Dining Hall Refurbishment Underway

The Old Dining Hall is one of the most loved, and most used, rooms in College. For those matriculating before 1969 it was the setting for evening dinner, often served in ‘shifts’ so to accommodate the growing number of students. For others is it the scene of poetry recitals, plays, concerts, seminars, formal dinners and even wedding parties.

Over recent years, it was clear the Old Dining Hall was in need of an update – not only to décor, fixtures and fittings, but also to update the essential ‘behind the scenes’ working, includes the electrics and the small kitchen.

Thanks to gifts from Aularians, the first phase of the refurbishment began in March and will improve the lighting and acoustics, restore the historic woodwork and walls will be repainted in a colour consistent with the early period of use of the room as a dining hall.

The next phase of the project will be to furnish the room with dining tables and chairs in keeping with this historic space.

Aularians are invited to add their support to this project and those who make a gift of £2,500 (or greater) will be recognised in the naming of a wooden dining chair. The donor’s name (and matriculation year where appropriate) will be engraved on a discreet plaque at the rear of the chair and donors will also be invited to dine in the room once works are complete.

The Hall expects the uptake to be popular and there are only a limited number of chairs available for naming.

If you would like to reserve a chair or support the project more generally, please contact Sally Brooks in the Development & Alumni Relations Office on email sally.brooks@seh.ox.ac.uk or by telephone on 01865 279041.

We look forward to sharing the final result and welcoming guests to the Hall again soon!