OB presents inaugural lecture

Over the summer, the Kendrick Edwards Library was transformed with fresh paintwork, new lighting and flexible furnishing. While the R J Boulton Archive Room on the mezzanine retains its traditional appeal, the main Library is now a modern flexible space. The new adaptable furniture allows the room to be arranged for collaborative study or for lectures and presentations. A (very) large screen enables high quality visual support for presenters, whether they are pupils, teachers or visitors.

The transformed learning space was recently the venue for the inaugural ‘Stories from the Library’, given just before half-term by Professor Bryn Hubbard (Orchard 1977-1982), Associate Dean for Research, Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences at Aberystwyth University. Arranged by Barney Goodrich (Donaldson’s 1991-93 and now Subject Leader for Geography and Head of Humanities), it is the first in a series of academic lectures for senior pupils. 

Speaking about ‘Sea-level rise and climate change’ to a group of 70 senior pupils and staff, Professor Hubbard's engaging talk included some enlightening visuals along with up-to-date facts, figures and graphs from the cutting edge scientific work he is continually undertaking on ice cores, principally in the Arctic and Antarctic regions of the globe.

Questions from the audience after the talk ranged from the high-brow scientific or geopolitical to the more light-hearted enquiries of what it is like to live either in or very close to an ice mass!

Professor Hubbard says of the experience,

It was wonderful to visit the school after too many years. I arrived at the square to an evening bustling with student activity, including somewhat vocal training on the first XV pitch – which brought fond and vivid memories back. The refurbished library was such a nice space to present in, and the students were marvelously attentive. To my delight, the students also engaged in some detail with several important issues in the discussion that followed. Well done, Christ College and your students.

But the refurbished room is not just transformed for formal lectures. Between daily use for study and prep, already this term it has accommodated a variety of school activities, including start of term induction sessions for pupils, the Senior Head’s Essay Society, the EPQ launch presentation, an Open Morning, the Head’s Junior Essay Society, Elevate Study Skills Sessions for senior pupils, and Alway’s ‘Poetry Party’.  

The Estates department did a magnificent job of re-configuring the space, and we are particularly grateful to David Rew (SHR 1968-74), who generously funded the screen and the new lighting throughout. It is already making a real difference.

The R J Boulton Archive Room on the mezzanine, retaining its traditional charm