12 September 2012 Bracknell, United Kingdom [Newbold College] On Sunday afternoon 2 September Dr Bertil Wiklander (Chairman, Newbold College Board of Governors) and Dr Philip Brown (Principal, Newbold College) unveiled a plaque to celebrate the much anticipated official re-opening of Keough House (Men’s Hall of Residence) on the Newbold College campus. Following this unveiling, a prayer of dedication was offered by Pastor Paul Goltz (College Chaplain).
At almost 50 years on, Keough House has been showing its age and no longer offered the kind of accommodation that contributed to a positive student experience at Newbold College. From the outset of commencing as Principal in September last year, Dr Brown committed to rectifying this situation and so worked collaboratively with the Newbold College Board and the Trans-European Division in order to ensure that a refurbished and upgraded Keough House could be ready for new and returning students from the beginning of the new 2012-13 academic year.
In summary, the renovation of Keough House over the past six months has included the conversion of bedrooms into single and double units with ensuite facilities and the removal of existing showers and laundry rooms to make way for kitchen and dining areas. All rooms have been completely redecorated, including upgraded electrical services such as multiple double sockets and data points as well as new light fittings. There has been an upgrading of plumbing, including new basins and taps. There is also new flooring and furniture throughout, with lighting now improved in all common areas.
Dr John Baildam (Deputy Principal) welcomed invited guests and attendees to the re-opening ceremony. During the ceremony Pastor Henrik Jørgensen (Dean of Men 1991-97) and Dr Brown shared the Keough House story from the period prior to its construction in the early 1960s up until the present day. The men’s hall of residence was originally opened and dedicated in early 1963 and is named in honour of George D. Keough, a pioneer missionary to the Middle East, and for many years a Theology teacher on campus.
“The College desires that the young men who call Keough House their home for a season will continue to dedicate their lives to follow in the footsteps of those alumni who have gone forth to lives of dedicated service in an ever-changing world,” said Dr Brown during the ceremony.
“We thank everyone present as well as those unable to be present who have contributed their time and funds to the refurbishment of Keough House. We also wish to thank those who have worked in the background to make the re-opening possible prior to the start of the 2012-13 academic year,” Dr Brown added.
“The refurbished Keough House is a delightful development at Newbold College and it was long overdue. Students are the most valuable part of the College and the new Keough House gives evidence of this value. We are grateful to all who helped us do this and we want to see a continuation in other parts of the College campus,” said Dr Wiklander during the ceremony.
“In view of so many financial challenges today, the fact that we have been able to re-dedicate Keough House witnesses to the fact that God is leading and blessing our College. We praise Him and commit ourselves afresh to His service,” Dr Wiklander added.
“New and returning students are very happy with their accommodation. The level of cleanliness and comfort is vastly improved. A big thank you to the contractors and to everyone for their work over recent months,” said Derek Simon, a returning student and Keough House resident.
Following the re-opening ceremony, guests enjoyed an afternoon tea in the lower lounge of Keough House. This was followed by small group tours of the new rooms and facilities by the Dean of Men, Pastor Andrew Layland, and current student Resident Assistants, Derek Simon and Rene Bidstrup.
Keough House is built in the shape of a cross, with the original lounge, kitchenette and prayer room between the arms. Another feature of Keough House is the octagonal lounge over the multipurpose room of the same shape. Six sides are windows, overlooking the rolling green pastures of Berkshire. To coincide with the re-opening of Keough House, these two rooms have now become known as the Lingmoor Lounges – named after a lovely home on the edge of Bournemouth, with a view over pine woods to the beauties of Studland Bay and beyond.
This home was owned by Ettrick and Ida Whiting, whose daughter Jean spent many happy times there with her husband Denys and their two sons John and Andrew Baildam – all four of whom chose for at least part of their education to study at Newbold College.
When Ettrick died in 1986 he bequeathed his home to the Seventh-day Adventist Church for a variety of purposes and it is therefore the wish of Jean and John Baildam that these two refurbished rooms in Keough House be named the Lingmoor Lounges – Upper and Lower – in memory of Ettrick’s support of the Church and as a representation of what Newbold College has meant over very many years to the Baildam family, who reflect warmly on times past.
A final phase of the Keough House refurbishment is yet to be completed and this will include improvements to the reception/lobby, visitor bathroom, disabled room access and the dean’s office. This work is planned for completion in January 2013.
If you would like to donate towards the completion of this final phase of the Keough House project and have not yet done so, then this can still be done online via the College website, by cheque or by contacting the College directly.
Thank you for your ongoing prayers and support. [tedNEWS]
