Residents Rebuke
St. John's college has come under fire once again for their refusal to renew a number of long-term leases on their land.
The historic Norham Gardens Tennis Club has now found itself homeless and the Queen Elizabeth House, Oxford University's Centre for International Development, will soon be in a similar situation, as their land has been earmarked for development.
The region of North Oxford houses many of the city's artists and writers, and is considered by some to be the area's bohemian centre. Perhaps the best known of its former inhabitants is the sculptor Martin Jennings, whose bust of the Queen Mother is displayed in St. Paul's Cathedral. Having worked for 18 years in his studio on Rawlinson Road, he has been amongst those who have been forced to find new premises.
Mr. Jennings told The Oxford Student that he had been given no explanation for his eviction, adding: "Nobody has said to me that St. John's do a lot for the
local community," he said. "There is nothing but criticism for their treatment of North Oxford."
However, facing such anger from residents, including a petition containing 500 names, the college's President Sir Michael Scholar has been keen to point out St. John's good work with the wider community.
He described the complaints as "unfair" to The OxStu, citing "large-scale transfers to less well-endowed col-leges" as well as "substantial financial contributions to local comprehensive schools" as examples of the college's benevolence.
The Oxford Playhouse has also benefited from support from the college, along with other local causes such as the educational Outreach scheme and the Martyrs' Memorial on St. Giles.
16th Oct 2003