Hild Bede Alumni

Dear all,

We have an update on the Hild Bede site from Principal, Simon Forrest.

Dear hild Bede alumni,
As you know, your College has been working within a University Programme to deliver the vision of a refurbished College of St. Hild and St. Bede and regenerate the wider Leazes Road site. This will help us meet an aspiration to provide students with great accommodation and College experience, as well as deliver further residential accommodation to lessen the burden on the wider City’s residential market.
Unfortunately, given the incredibly challenging cost and nature of construction projects at present, and despite the best efforts of all involved, it has not been possible to take forward the current scheme with our preferred bidder.

The University has therefore taken the difficult decision to halt the procurement and bring the project to a controlled stop whilst we consider wider options. This is clearly the right decision for College, allowing us to commit energy to the future development of the project.

We are disappointed and understand that you may be too. We have learnt a lot throughout the process and we are now working towards finding the best outcome for your College. We are part of the consideration of the necessary next steps to deliver a sympathetic redevelopment of the wider Leazes Road site.
In the meantime, I want you to know that you have my continued commitment to do all I can to enable College to thrive, to treasure your experiences and support and translate that into brilliant opportunities for our current and future students.

I will continue to keep you updated as plans progress.

Best wishes,
Simon

Hi everyone,
I hope you're all doing very well. It's been very busy over at College and our fundraising campaign which has started last week. In other news, we have two events coming up.

Our upcoming reunion will he held on Sunday, 4 May, we would like to introduce you to our new home at Rushford Court, here's the link to book https://pay.durham.ac.uk/colleges-and-common-rooms/CSHSB/come-home-to-hild-bede-at-rushford-court

Another event we would like to invite you to comes from our students, the summer ball at Wynyard Hall, where you can have a look and book here https://pay.durham.ac.uk/colleges-and-common-rooms/CSHSB/hildbedeballsummerball2025alumnipackage

It would be wonderful to see you all!

News for our Hild Bede family

A new home for Hild Bede at Rushford Court - Durham University Building work at Rushford Court in the Viaduct area of Durham has been completed, and the College of St Hild and St Bede has moved in. The official opening of the redeveloped site was marked by a celebration event this week, bringing together partners from the university, the college and Unite Stude...

A lot is going on in college, a lot of activities are being planned and a whole fundraising campaign. Here we are for the ball committee meeting, stay tuned!

Hi everyone, it certainly has been busy at College since our move.

A little update from me, we have now settled into Rushford court and finding our routine. Fresher’s week is over, we couldn’t have done it without our terrific Freps, and construction is still ongoing but we’re very much looking forward to seeing the end result soon. A big thank you to the curatorial team for working hard on fixing and transferring all the art over, it makes Rushford court look much more homey and to the staff at Unite for the operational help.

Today, we had a big surprise at the old site, we found out that we have not one but two bomb shelters, which was very exciting.

Once the ‘hub’ building is completed, we hope to organise an event and welcome you all over to come and see our temporary home.

Eadem mutata resurgo

Alumna, Lauren Irwin's interview with the Uni about her Olympic experience. We're all so thrilled for her.
https://www.durham.ac.uk/news-events/latest-news/2024/07/interview-with-lauren-irwin/?fbclid=IwY2xjawFFTnNleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHWQccz43U5zzIiV0CySuo4DY60xxkoqGHYoxGfzt59trFq7zqXqUeOVZvA_aem_Vx8T8q2hzMwlA0zIENd8yA

Interview with Lauren Irwin - Durham University Following alumna Lauren Irwin’s selection as part of the Team GB rowing squad, she has been training intensively for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Some more pictures from the weekend. Thanks again to everyone who came up to HB.

Good luck Lauren! We’re wishing her every success in the 2024 Olympic Games! HB💜

Lauren Irwin Team GB rowing team - Durham University Alumna Lauren Irwin has been announced as part of Team GB’s 42-member rowing squad for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games this summer.

Don't forget to book in for the alumni weekend, over 130 will be there including former members of staff, it would be rude not to.....

We have confirmation that a Bede alumnus will play the score to a silent film by Buster Keaton on the piano, the ents keeps on growing!

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