Rhubarb 2024

ST EDWARD’S

1926

A subway under the Woodstock Road between the Quadrangle and the playing fields (designed by H.M. Best) was opened by the Mayor of Oxford (escorted by a party of 38 officials) in May. It had taken the best part of a year to complete and had proven very complicated.

The Governors decided numbers should be limited to 340 boarders and 20 day boys.This plan lasted two years!

Negotiations concluded to purchase one acre of land for a future School Boathouse on a ‘small promontory’ at Godstow.The funds required were ‘generously found by the School Society’. In the summer 46 acres of land were leased from the Blenheim Estates Office (today’s Avenue Fields) between the railway and the Avenue.The purpose was to increase the size of the School Farm and stop any possible encroachments in the future from developers.The farm included cows, pigs and plentiful fields of barley and wheat.

FEATURE

Gateway in the northern perimeter wall between South Parade and opposite the School Shop was created. Intended primarily for the boys of Field House to enter and leave the School grounds each day, it was named ‘Field House Gate’. Subway under the Woodstock Road, opened in May 1928. Cartoon by George Segar (Common Room).

Electricity reached Field House (Corfe today).

1927

While sleeping arrangements were improved for the 340 boys and Housemasters in their new Houses, the rest of the staff were now crammed into space originally planned for 110. Properties which bordered the School became key targets for either leasing or purchasing.

Acquisition of another 15 acres of farmland now extends the School property ‘right up to Wolvercote’.

A stone staircase for Big School was added (designed by Brook Kitchin).

1928

A 4.5 acre field was acquired from the Blenheim Estates, next to St Edward’s Avenue on a 30-year lease, for sports use and easier access to the Wolvercote fields. The School Boathouse ( designed by Brook Kitchin ) was opened; all costs paid by the School Society and handed over by the President in front of a large crowd of OSE at Commemoration.

Long-time School carpenter Walter Young and his brother at the new opening in the North Wall 1928.

Field House (later Corfe) in 1928.

Freehold of Field House (later Corfe) purchased by the School.

Boathouse 1928.

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