Hatfield College, Durham

The establishment of the college in 1846 as a furnished and catered residence with set fees was then a revolutionary idea, but later became general practice at student residences. This concept came from the young founding master, David Melville, who believed it would make a university education more affordable. Three principles of the model were that rooms would be furnished and let out to students with shared servants, meals would be provided and eaten in the college hall, and college battels (bills) were set in advance.[6] This system made Hatfield a more economical choice when compared to University College, ensuring that student numbers at Hatfield built up steadily.[7] Melville's model was introduced to the wider university after an endorsement from the Royal Commission of 1862.[7]

Although not intended as a theological college, for the first 50 years the majority of students tended towards theology, while senior staff members and the principal were in holy orders. Under William Sanday (1876–1883) student numbers rose considerably, prompting a desperate search for extra rooms. It was forced to rent 3 South Bailey (now part of St John's College) in 1879 to accommodate them.[8] Though Hatfield was run on the most economical lines student poverty was a frequent problem. Dr Joseph Fowler, who, apart from his roles as Chaplain and Senior Tutor in the college, acted as Bursar, allowed undergraduates to take on some debt and even loaned them money, often employing rather creative accounting practises in the process.[8] In 1880 a tennis court was installed for the first time, occupying roughly the same space as the current one.[8] In the 1890s the college purchased Bailey House and the Rectory (despite its name, most previous occupants were laymen) to accommodate more students.[9] As the end of the century drew closer the balance of undergraduate students rapidly shifted away from theology. In 1900, there were 49 arts students who had matriculated within the previous 3 years, and 20 in theology.[10] By 1904 just 9 theology undergraduates are recorded, compared to 57 in arts.[11]

For 20 years Hatfield cooperated with nearby Castle

The inter-war period saw a decline in college fortunes. In the first two decades of the 20th century Hatfield had experienced a sharp fall in numbers. This was caused initially by the decision to isolate science courses at the campus in Newcastle, an increased tendency to train priests at specialised colleges, poor finances, and finally the outbreak of the First World War.[12] For 15 years after 1897, total students in residence numbered above 100.[12] This had fallen to 69 in 1916, 2 in 1917, and to 3 in 1918.[12] After the war finished there was a temporary leap to more than 60 undergraduates, but by 1923 there were just 14 men on the college books.[12] In 1924 a new science department was established in Durham, and this, along with the active recruiting efforts of new Master Arthur Robinson (1923–1940), achieved gains in student numbers.[13] Within five years of Robinson's appointment they had quintupled from the low of 1923.[14]

But the economic crisis of the 1920s created uncertainty. Hatfield had more students than University College yet lacked the facilities, especially kitchens, to accommodate them. University College, on the other hand, was comparatively undersubscribed. To address this, the two colleges effectively amalgamated under the guidance of Angus Macfarlane-Grieve, and all meals were taken together in the Great Hall of University College, while each college retained its own set of officers and clubs.[9] Unhappy with this arrangement, some Hatfielders expressed their separate identity in trivial ways: for example, using a different door to enter the Castle dining hall than the University College students, and, in contrast to the University College contingent – turning to face the High Table during grace.[15]

The political situation in Europe impacted college activities: during one memorable rag week in 1936, Hatfield students staged a mock Nazi procession to the nearby Market Square, with participants dressing in jackboots, brown shirts, and fascist armbands.[16] One of them, Joe Crouch, a fluent German speaker, comically impersonated Adolf Hitler and delivered an impromptu speech to the assembled crowd.[16] In 1938, fears of an impending war resulted in the construction of an air raid shelter, with dons and servants digging trenches in the Master's garden (now Dunham Court).[16] Gas masks were issued to college residents.[16] Meanwhile, a recent decline in the number of freshers, and the death that year of John Hall How, the Master of University College, gave rise to rumours that Hatfield would be annexed to its older neighbour.[16]

a bird's-eye view of Hatfield in the late 20th century

In October 1939 Hatfielders suffered the misfortune to be barred from their own college when the university decided to use Hatfield as a temporary site for the new Neville's Cross College, an institution for training women teachers. Having spent over a decade taking meals in Castle, they would now be prevented from using Hatfield buildings altogether.[16] Without its own buildings and Master, and the issue of the ongoing war, Hatfield was in a poor position to recruit new students, an era later described as the 'wilderness years' by college archivist Arthur Moyes.[17]

However, the college received an unexpected new lease of life when the Royal Air Force established short courses at the university for some of its cadets, and soon these cadets made up half of the Hatfield student body. This led the university to postpone plans to merge Hatfield with University College.[18] Plans were revived again in 1943, but met the strong opposition of Hatfield dons, especially Hedley Sparks.[19] In 1946, the centenary year of the college, members formed the Hatfield Association to both represent alumni and demonstrate to the university council that Hatfield was supported.[19]

Green space by the Rectory, with the tower of Durham Cathedral in the distance

The university finally decided that from October 1949 Hatfield would be reestablished as an independent college – with Vindolanda archaeologist Eric Birley (1949–1956) appointed to serve as the new Master.[20] The post-war period saw Hatfield once again faced with the familiar problem of squeezing in a larger student population, as the war had created a growing backlog. More buildings were constructed and refurbished.[21] Moreover, accommodation was acquired away from the main site and the Senior Common Room was established. In 1962 it was decided that a brass plaque should be fixed to the college gates identifying the establishment as Hatfield College.[22] Just 24 hours after installation a group of students from a rival Bailey college were caught trying to remove the plaque as a sporting trophy.[23] In 1963 the college received its first taste of student protest, when a "militant minority group of young gentlemen united under the banner of International Socialism".[24] Around the same time students voted to boycott formal dinners after a row with Master Thomas Whitworth (1957–1979) over whether or not jeans counted as formal wear.[25]

Reforms were subsequently introduced. Joint standing committees, composed equally of staff and students, were set up to "deliberate almost every conceivable topic" and the undergraduate Senior Man was allowed to take part in meetings of the college's governing body.[24] By 1971 a 'liberal and balanced' Governing Body had been achieved: consisting of 4 college tutors, 4 elected tutors, 4 delegates from the Junior Common Room, and a representative from the Hatfield Association alumni group.[24] Writing in the same year, a satisfied Whitworth was able to boast of warding off the 'mischievous opportunism' of student 'exhibitionists'.[26]

James Barber, who advocated a mixed-gender college

The leadership of James Barber (1980–1996) was a period of significant change. Student numbers rose significantly, increasing to over 650 by the time he finished his tenure in office.[9] Living out became compulsory for students for at least part of their career, and many of the existing buildings were either rebuilt or refurbished to make room for students: The Rectory was remodeled, C & D Stairs were refurbished, the Main Hall was repaired, and Jevons' was redecorated.[9] A Middle Common Room for the postgraduate community was added in Kitchen Stairs. In 1981, it was decided the Formal Ball would be renamed 'The Lion in Winter', which it has been called ever since.[27] More comically, 'C Scales', a goldfish, was elected as a member of the JCR in 1982 and put forward as a potential Durham Student Union President.[27] In 1984, the JCR was sued by representatives of the band Mud after a student ruined four speakers by pouring beer into an amplifier during a performance at a college ball.[28]

Hatfield also became co-educational, which at the time was only 'grudgingly accepted' by the college.[9] In 1985 talk of going mixed was stimulated by the low numbers of applicants selecting Hatfield as their preference, and a recent decline in academic standards – with the college finishing bottom of the results table the previous year.[29] Despite threats of hooliganism, the Senior Common Room decided in May of that year to push forward with plans to go mixed.[30] In March 1987 a student referendum was held on the issue, with 79.2% voting for the college to remain men only.[31] The Senate decided that, despite the referendum result, the college would in fact go mixed the following year.[31] The first female Senior Man held the post in 1992.[9] Her election win, by a single vote, prompted some students to declare a week of mourning and walk around the college wearing black arm bands.[31]

Main Court under a blanket of snow, C Stairs dominates the left of the picture

The Rectory, purchased by the college in 1897

The oldest part of the college site is what is today the dining room, which probably dates back to the 17th century.[32] In the 18th century the building became a coaching inn, The Red Lion – a stopping point for coaches travelling between London and Edinburgh. During this time it was also used to host concerts, likely featuring the work of composers like Charles Avison and John Garth.[33] In 1845 the Red Lion building was put up for sale, allowing it to become the first component of Hatfield College the following year.[32] The C and D accommodation blocks are now located here.[34] D Staircase formerly had a reputation for being haunted by a female spirit, recognisable by the aroma of a distinctive perfume.[35] At the west end of the dining room is Kitchen Block, which features the main kitchens as well as a small number of student rooms and offices on the higher floors.[21]

The building that contains A and B accommodation blocks, and once known as 'A and B Stairs', was renamed and rededicated as the Melville Building in 2005 after a £1million refurbishment.[36] Author Josceline Dimbleby, the great-great-granddaughter of David Melville, was invited to perform the ceremony.[37] Next door to the Melville Building is C Stairs. Officially opened in 1932 by Lord Halifax, it replaced an earlier section of the coaching inn used since the founding of the college.[21] Moving south, visitors will soon reach the Rectory. Acquired in 1897, this is the administrative hub of the college, encompassing as it does the offices of the Master, the Vice-Master & Senior Tutor, the Assistant Senior Tutor, the Chaplain, the Senior Administrative Secretary, the Senior Tutor's Secretary, the Finance Officer and the Hatfield Trust/Association.[34] The Birley Room, used for social functions, can be found at the ground floor of the Rectory.[34] Added to the college at the same time as the Rectory, Hatfield Cottage is in between the redundant church of St Mary-le-Bow (now the Durham Museum and Heritage Centre) and Gatehouse Block. It is where the Middle Common Room (MCR) is now located, having moved from its former space in Kitchen Block.[34]

Gatehouse Block is to the right of the entrance and houses the porters' lodge. It also has single and twin use student rooms.[34] In 1961 the college had begun a project to replace the remnants of a much older gatehouse that was in poor condition. The new pseudo-Georgian replacement was completed by Easter 1962 for a total cost of £55,000.[22] To provide an unbroken front to the North Bailey, decorative gates and railings were installed in the aftermath.[22]

Jevons, after 2018 renovation

Named after alumnus Kingsley Dunham, Dunham Court is the second quadrangle of the college. It is accessed through an underpass by the chapel, and comprises two buildings, Jevons (Frank Jevons) and Pace (Edward Pace). An influx of extra students after the war stimulated a demand for more accommodation and the garden of the old Jevon's House provided the available space. The new building, described by Pevsner as 'friendly', with a 'nice rhythm of windows towards the river', was finished in 1950 and named after former Vice-Master Edward Pace.[38]

The college commenced the largest building project in its history when it demolished the old Jevon's House, a decrepit structure once occupied by the bare-knuckle boxer John Gully before being purchased by the university.[39][40] Construction of the new modernist style Jevons Building, which would complete the new Dunham Court, began in June 1966. It was officially unveiled in a ceremony in June 1968 attended by both Kingsley Dunham and Lord Lieutenant of Durham James Duff.[41] It won a Civic Trust Award the following year.[41] Both buildings contain rooms and social spaces: the college bar and cafe is located in Jevons, while Pace has a TV lounge, a music room, two gyms, and the JCR Common Room.[42]

A view of the chapel from outside the college gates

The college chapel, at the left of the main college gates, was conceived in 1851 and built by 1854, funded by donations by alumni and a loan of £150 from the university.[9] It was designed by then chaplain to Bishop Cosin's Hall, James Turner (also a trained architect), and contains two head sculptures of William Van Mildert and Warden Thorp. Decorative furnishings were later added and the first organ was installed in 1882. Commemorative wooden panels marking the First World War dead and a book of remembrance for them, along with a lectern, were added gradually and were primarily funded by alumni and the Hatfield Association. The chapel houses a Harrison & Harrison organ, which is used to accompany services and for recitals. In 2001 it was refurbished at the cost of £65,000.[9]

Attendance at chapel services was compulsory for 80 years after the foundation of the chapel until the onset of World War II ended the compulsory attendance to Cathedral services. Since then the chapel constitutes an 'important but minority interest' in the college.[9]

Services are led by the college chaplain, currently Anthony Bash. The College Chapel Choir is led by a student choral director, supported by an organ scholar and deputy organ scholar. The Chapel Choir consists mainly of students who support regular worship in the chapel, but also sing at churches and cathedrals throughout the country and undertake annual tours both at home and abroad.[43]

Opposite the gatehouse on North Bailey is Bailey House, an accommodation block which provides 50 single rooms, plus a communal and kitchen area on the ground floor.[34] Palmers Garth is approximately a minute away from the main site of the college, and can be found by going down Bow Lane and across the Kingsgate Bridge over the River Wear. Opposite Dunelm House, it offers 8 twin and 41 single rooms for 57 students.[21] The building was formerly used for administration by the university, and once hosted the careers service until it was handed over to Hatfield College in 1991.[21]

The postgraduate accommodation site is James Barber House, or JBH for short, a self-catered residence on Church Street that is close to the science site of the university and the Bill Bryson Library. Now named after former Master James Barber, it was completed by Durham County Council as Palatine House in 1968, and originally a care home for the elderly before its purchase by the college in 2006.[21]

Device used in the early years of the college

From its foundation, the college used as its arms the personal shield of Thomas Hatfield (Azure, a chevron or, between three lions rampant argent).[44] This was accompanied with the Latin motto "Vel Primus Vel Cum Primis", which literally means "Either First or With the First",[45] though is now loosely interpreted by the college as "Be the Best you can Be".[46]

In 1954, the college was informed that the use of Bishop Hatfield's shield without registration with the College of Arms was inappropriate,[47][45] and it sought a grant of its own from the College of Arms. The new arms were based on Hatfield's shield, but with an ermine border added to difference the college's arms from the bishop's, resulting in an overall shield blazoned Azure a Chevron Or between three Lions rampant Argent a Bordure Ermine. The grant also included the motto "Vel Primus Vel Cum Primis", and a crest described as Out of an ancient crown Or a panache of five ostrich feathers ermine charged with a chevron sable.[48]

Similar to most Bailey Colleges the wearing of the undergraduate academic gown is required to formal events. The wearing of the gown is at the discretion of the Master of the college and at present is worn at Matriculation, in chapel and at formal meals held in the hall twice per week.

Benedicte Deus, qui pascis nos a iuventute nostra et praebes cibum omni carni, reple gaudio et laetitia corda nostra, ut nos, quod satis est habentes, abundemus in omne opus bonum. Per Jesum Christum, Dominum Nostrum, cui tecum et Spiritu Sancto, sit omnis honor, laus et imperium in saecula saeculorum. Amen.

This can be translated as: Blessed God, who feedest us from our youth, and providest food for all flesh, fill our hearts with joy and gladness, that we, having enough to satisfy us, may abound in every good work, through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom with thee and the Holy Spirit, be all honour and praise and power for all ages. Amen.

The grace was widely used in the fourth century and is based on earlier Hebrew prayers. It was translated from the Greek and adopted by Oriel College, Oxford. Presumably influenced by Henry Jenkyns, who was a Fellow of Oriel, Hatfield adopted this grace practically verbatim. Since 1846 the grace has been read at all formal meals in College which occur once a week, or twice in Michaelmas Term.

A formal dinner in college, c. 1965

Formals take place twice a week on a Tuesday and Friday in Michaelmas Term, reducing to Fridays only for the rest of the academic year. There are a number of traditions at Formals. Students are required to wear their full academic dress including gowns for formal dinners except when it is a black or white tie event. A High Table consisting of members of the SCR and guests is present at every formal, with the Master's entrance and "bowing out" signifying the official opening and closing of the formal meal.

Unique to Hatfield is the tradition of 'spooning', in which students bang spoons on the edge of the table or on silverware for several minutes before the formal starts.[50] The act immediately ceases when the High Table walks in.[50]

The student body is divided into three "common rooms". The Junior Common Room (JCR) is for undergraduates in the college. The JCR annually elects an executive committee consisting of 10 members including an impartial chair. The executive committee ensures the successful running of the JCR, in conjunction with the college officers.[51] Unlike other colleges, Hatfield exclusively retains "Senior Man" as its title for the head of the JCR, having rejected a motion to move to "JCR President" in May 2014[52] and again in June 2020 and January 2021. A motion to allow the incumbent to choose between "Senior Man", "Senior Woman" or "Senior Student" was also defeated in January 2016.[53]

The Middle Common Room (MCR) is the organisation for postgraduate students which also have an elected organising committee. Postgraduate accommodation is located at James Barber House.[54] College officers, fellows and tutors are members of the Senior Common Room (SCR).[55] Each common room acts as a separate body for its members, although collaboration between them is common, and it is possible to be a member of these organisations simultaneously.

On campus the college has a longstanding reputation for being 'rah',[61][62] with one mocking student article calling it a 'moneyed, upper-class college equivalent of Millwall FC' and holding Hatfield responsible for perpetuating negative stereotypes about the wider university.[63] The college was described as being 'very public school' and 'cliquey' in a 2012 university guide that appeared in society magazine Tatler.[64] In recent years the college has tried to address this reputation with an outreach programme working with pupils in local state schools in Gateshead, Hartlepool, and Washington.[65]

Admissions statistics do show it to be disproportionately popular with applicants from independent schools, typically enrolling a significantly higher percentage than other colleges. For the 2015/2016 cycle, 65.8% of applicants were privately educated – against a university total of 36.1%[66] – with 34.2% applying to Hatfield from state schools.[66] By comparison, the College of St Hild and St Bede was the second most popular with independent school applicants at 54.5%, with all other colleges receiving less than half of their applications from independent schools.[66] Hatfield's total represents a slight decrease from the previous application cycle, in which 67.6% of applicants were from independent schools.[67] This is still higher than many Oxbridge Colleges[68]

The current master is Ann MacLarnon, having assumed the role in September 2017.

List of past masters

• David Melville (1846–1851)
• William Henderson (1851–1852)
• Edward Bradby (Michaelmas Term 1852)
• James Lonsdale (1853–1854)
• John Pedder (1854–1859)
• James Barmby (1859–1876)
• William Sanday (1876–1883)
• Archibald Robertson (1883–1897)
• Frank Jevons (1896–1923)[69]
• Arthur Robinson (1923–1940)[70]
• Angus Macfarlane-Grieve (1940–1949) as acting Master[71]
• Eric Birley (1949–1956)[72]
• Thomas Whitworth (1957–1979)[73]
• James Barber (1980–1996)[74]
• Tim Burt (1996–2017)[75]

Hatfield College Council awards honorary fellowships on the advice of the master to alumni and people who have a close association with Hatfield. On receipt of the fellowship the fellow automatically becomes an honorary member of the SCR and receives the same benefits. As of 2012, honorary fellows numbered 24 in total, notably including former university chancellor Bill Bryson.[76]

Other staff affiliated to the college include eight junior research fellows[77] and 10 Senior Research Fellows.[78] Current senior fellows include, amongst others, the theologian Douglas Davies.[78] The college also occasionally hosts visiting academics, normally for one term, as part of the fellowship scheme offered by the university's Institute of Advanced Study.[79]

Hatfield College Boat Club (HCBC) is the boat club of Hatfield College at Durham University. The club was started in 1846, shortly after the founding of the college, making it one of the oldest student clubs in Durham.[80] There is a Novice Development programme for absolute beginners.[80] It also trains coxes and has a dedicated Coxes Captain.[80]

The current college boathouse was completed in Epiphany term of 1881, with the previous structure having to be rebuilt and re-sited at the cost of £250 – club members believing it to be 'inconveniently small' and very exposed to flood damage.[81] Up until 2001 Hatfield shared its boat club with rowers from Trevelyan College. Tension over space, resulting from Hatfield's desire to purchase additional boats, saw the termination of this arrangement, with Trevelyan later electing to store its boats with the local owner of a private boathouse.[82]

In 2016 the boathouse was one of several to fall victim to racist graffiti and had a swastika and SS symbol splashed on the doors.[83] Major maintenance was carried out in 2019: the roof was reinforced and the doors sanded and repainted.[84]

Notable former members of the club include Alice Freeman, Louisa Reeve, Angus Groom, and Simon Barr.

Hatfield College has become known for prowess in rugby in particular, with the college coming to be regarded as a nursery for British rugby – so much so that Thomas Whitworth (Master, 1957–79), a known rugby enthusiast, was often accused of bias in the selection and treatment of rugby-playing students.[9] In intercollegiate rugby Hatfield became the dominant club in the decades following the war, conceding the colleges cup just once in a 14-year period up to 1971.[85] The Durham University team that triumphed in the 1969 University Athletic Union final against Newcastle University was made up mostly of Hatfield players.[86]

In recent years Hatfield, though still regarded as the traditional 'rugby college', has faced stiffer competition from other college sides, especially Hild Bede.[87] Today, double protein portions for university rugby players are still offered in the college dining hall each meal-time.[88]

Will Carling, Will Greenwood, and Marcus Rose are the most notable former undergraduates, with Richard Breakey, Jeremy Campbell-Lamerton, Charlie Hannaford, Andy Mullins, Dave Walder, Peter Warfield, and Ben Woods also claiming international caps.

In cricket, Andrew Strauss, winning captain during the 2009 Ashes, former Worcestershire captain Tim Curtis, ex-Middlesex batsman Nick Compton, and fast bowler Typhoon Tyson, the Wisden Leading Cricketer in the World for 1955, were all students of the college.

Hatfield also has its own theatre group, the Lion Theatre Company, which performs in Durham University's Assembly Rooms theatre located opposite the college gates, and a music society organising various ensembles. Students also produce the termly college magazine, The Hatfielder. It has SHAPED, which is a personal development program.[89]