Eddie's Floored by Alumni Generosity
Alumni of St Edmund’s College from around the world have clubbed together to ensure that future students can have their own treasured memories in the College Common Room (CR).
The College's Common Room is at the heart of College life but years of being sanded down to remove the scratches, dents, and scuffs resulting from decades of use had taken its toll and the floor needed to be replaced. A GoFundMe crowdfunding page was set up to help raise funds for the project, and many alumni not only donated but also shared their memories of the good times spent in the 'Eddies CR'.
Alumna Lynn Maclean Willmoth (St Edmund's College, 1997) commented: “Dancing like no-one was watching in four-inch heels didn't result in quite all of those scratches, just maybe the odd teeny tiny nick...”
Alumna Sylvia Lee (St Edmund's College, 2000) also had fond memories: “I love the CR, and have spent a lot of time drinking hot chocolate and coffee there — it would be nice to renovate it.”
A total of £28,158 was raised both online and offline. The CR has also been painted and decorated with new curtains, a new pool table, and a new set of couches, the last being funded by the Master of the College, Mr Matthew Bullock.
Those who made donations of more than £300, the cost of one square metre of flooring, were thanked by having their names painted in some of the less-damaged floor fragments. These fragments are affixed next to the Common Room doors in recognition of their benefaction.
The new CR flooring, a bright Blond Oak Parquet, is now being used by 600 students regularly.
About St Edmund’s College
St Edmund’s College was founded in 1896 by the 15th Duke of Norfolk and is located in large, quiet and pleasant grounds close to the city centre. It is among the most international Colleges of the University, with students from over 85 countries.