Beechfield Site

Bath Academy in Corsham was closed down in 1986, the buildings stood until '96 before it was turned into a housing development as can be seen today. For these 10 years, it went through total disrepair, open to the weather and left crumbling and dilapidated as vandals destroyed what was accessible. You could easily 'get into' Beechfield House and check out the broken staircases and windows, holed ceilings, ripped off shutters, litter and debris from years of vandalism and neglect. What a waste of such a gracious building, I thought at the time. Fortunately, these buildings were built to succeed it's many tenants over the years, and Beechfield House has been superbly restored into individual flats for those who have the insight (and the money), to want to live in such a beautiful Georgian building.

One of the most noticeable features in Beechfield, was the spectacular monkey puzzle tree that overlooked the canteen - now replaced with a more permanent structure in the quasi style of the period. The refectory was a modern single storey building that housed the canteen and also doubled as a venue for student union gigs and parties. The catering staff kept many students alive by feeding them good wholesome and cheap meals, you could eat well on 30p and even better for 50p. Chips were on the menu to satisfy the 'chip buttie brigade' who were mainly us Northerners with dubious healthily eating habits.

Just love that tree!

Just love that tree!

To the left of the canteen where there is now a separate building, were two small 'offices', one the Student Union office and the other housed the Accommodation Officer who in the 1970's was Jean Olds. Of the people who 'did the sabbatical' and worked as student union president, well I remember Paul Coope after me '78 - '79 and Nigel Collins before me.

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Four side views of Beechfield House.