On Saturday 5 October, a wonderful autumn day greeted College’s extended family for an informative and hugely entertaining afternoon at Univ’s North Oxford site.

Academics, Old Members, staff, friends and family enjoyed tours of the area – hosted and conducted by both Sir Ivor Crewe, Master of Univ, and Gordon Cox, Development Director – an exciting opportunity to further understand the largest expansion of the College in over three centuries.

Plans and architect’s drawings of the landscape-led development, which includes accommodation alongside a children’s nursery for public use, and ancillary student facilities including a gym, café, academic study spaces and meeting rooms, were also on display. A chance for all to fully explore this quiet, green space was provided with visits to the rose garden, lawns and the Victorian orchard; the latter affording an opportunity to pick apples and pears for later pressing.

Music, a hog roast and croquet rounded out an afternoon which truly celebrated the villas and gardens in this Victorian conservation area and gave all a glimpse of the dynamic, social, community-focused project that is evolving.

Gordon Cox, Univ’s Development Director, comments: “It was wonderful so many from the Univ community come along to hear more about the transformational plans for the site in north Oxford. The project is the largest development by Univ in three centuries and the College is unlikely undertake an expansion of this scale again. We are collecting memories, so please let the Communications Team know if you have any anecdotes or stories associated with Stavs. Thank you for taking the time to join us on your Saturday.”

Please send any anecdotes or pictures from your time at Stavs to communications@univ.ox.ac.uk – enjoy the image gallery from 5 October below…

Published: 15 October 2019

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