Radley Newsletter_No.2 AW.indd - Radley College

It is rather extraordinary that for a
school which takes its sport so seriously
there had never been proper changing
facilities for our opposition teams –
until last year, that is. And in responding to a
pressing need the architects managed to create
a spectacular bonus, a low, round building by
the Silk Hall with a circular viewing gallery,
on top of the 8 changing rooms, where tea
is served to parents and visitors on match
days. The view is panoramic, and the focus
shifts with the seasons. So bitter and wet was
it for the last few rugby Bigside matches of
the 2005 season that the less hardy watched
the 1st XV defeat Marlborough and Bedford
from comfortable warmth above the deadthe
view from
New Pav
ball line, cup of tea in hand. Long suffering
Hockey supporters were sometimes driven
indoors whilst the 1st and 2nd XIs compiled
impressive seasons on the new Astroturf.
But the facility’s real versatility is seen in
the summer term: cricketing visitors can
escape chill May winds and watch the 1st XI
on Bigside and the 2nd XI on Secondside
while tennis supporters on the other side
of the gallery watch the school tennis VIs
attempt to match the recent feats of Alex
Hackett (Downsend, H Social) and Tom
Dance (Dragon, H Social), last summer’s
unbeaten 1st pair. Through the trees beyond
the tennis courts is the Radford track;
the start of the 100 metres is crystal clear
below the spectators but a line of plane trees
inconveniently obscures the finish line. No
doubt there will be a long debate between
conservationists and Athletics enthusiasts
about their future….
Not every year does Radley produce an
Andrew Strauss OR (Caldicott, B Social),
Jamie Dalrymple OR (Ashfold, H Social), Ben
Hutton OR (Holmewood House, B Social)
or Robin Martin-Jenkins OR (Cranleigh
Prep, B Social) on the cricket field, a Richard
MacDowel (Bilton Grange, G Social) at Hockey
or Chris Sheasby (Caldicott, F Social) at Rugby
– but the hope is to provide future spectators
with an agreeable environment the better to
enjoy competitive games the year round.
4 THE RADLEY NEWSLETTER