Durham University like Oxford and Cambridge is a Collegiate University in that it is made up of…read morecolleges each with it's distinct backgound and traditions. Collingwood is my favourite but having spent a big part of my life there I'm perhaps biased.
Collingwood opened its doors in 1973 well, actually, it didn't, it was still a sea of mud when it was supposed to open and the first lot of students had to be farmed out to another College, Van Mildert. It was set up as the first mixed college slightly to the alarm of the more conservative members of the University Senate. It has always seen itself, from the very beginning, as very informal so it doesn't have gowns, or graces, and relations between students and staff are always very warm .
The College was originally designed for around 260 students, all in individual rooms (which was very unusual at the time); it was set in nice grounds on the outskirts of the city, just next door to the University's Botanical Gardens, with a little lake, and a tennis-court, and good gardens. Students liked the idea of being coeducational: they flocked to Collingwood, now of course all colleges have followed suit.
In the early 1990s, the University wanted to expand and Collingwood took the decision to double its size. It built a series of new wings around a croquet-lawn and an amphitheatre (which is used as a turning-circle, and occasionally to put on plays and other events). In 1992, the new wings opened with nicely spacious en-suite rooms for every resident! And by now it housed 570 of them What didn't happen was a new dining-hall, so it's still a bit short of space there but there is new and much more spacious JCR which can house a shop, a pizza-shop, a coffee-shop, a games area. There's a very large and luxurious bar (the best in Durham: renovated by a generous alumnus who's really enjoyed himself in the bar!).
And a red telephone-box and how it got in and down the stairs is difficult to imagine! Traffic cones I can understand but it's amazing this hasn't been missed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Collingwood has always been very successful academically, and in sports a previous principal, Gerald Blake, still coaches the rowers and they perform quite remarkably! and in things like drama. The College has quite a lot of smart public space which is also available for students and believe me it is used.
If you or someone you know has the opportunity of attending this wonderful place of learning please grab it. Collingwood is unique and holds a place in my heart for all time- Collingwood, I toast you!!!!!!!!!!!