St. Anselm Hall

St. Anselm Hall

Colours: Red, White, and Black
              
Motto Credo ut Intelligam
(I believe so that I may understand)
Formation 1907
Type University halls of residence
Location
Residential Life Officer
 Dr. Ben Walker

St Anselm Hall, known colloquially as Slems, is a hall of residence in the Victoria Park campus of the University of Manchester.

The hall was founded by the Church of England in 1907 and later licensed by the University as an official hall of residence. The University bought it in 1956 and subsequently extended it from a capacity of about 70 to its current capacity of 130 students. The hall building is a Grade II Listed building.[1]

The hall is possibly the last university owned, fraternal hall of residence in the UK. It also has a twin Sororal hall named St Gabriels.

Hall Grounds

St Anselm hall is situated on Kent Road East, and occupies the southern side of the road entirely with its buildings. These are the main building, the chapel, an onsite gym, and the Warden's lodge.

The main building can, again, be subdivided into the dining hall, the on-site bar and the residential wings, each with individual names. Schuster (formerly known as Kent Hall) is the main part of the hall, and formerly the property of the exceptional mathematical physicist Arthur Schuster. As well as housing numerous students, it also contains the hall's own library and the Junior and Senior Common Rooms. The first extension to take place was the Dewar wing, named after the 4th Warden of the Hall Revd. Canon Dewar (1922-1927), which took place in 1927. Manor and Summerfield are the two newest wings, both being built as part of the extensions to the hall carried out by the university in the 1960s.[2]

The Chapel lies behind the Main building, and stands as a monument to the religious tradition at St Anselm Hall. Every year, one student is elected as a Sacristan in order to better integrate the Chaplaincy and the student body.

The Warden's Lodge is a detached house in the hall grounds built for 8th Warden Revd. Canon Prof. Preston (1948-1963), though now it houses more students.

Cellar Club

The Cellar Club is the onsite bar, and is the self-titled cheapest bar in Manchester. This is mostly due to the fact that the bar is one of the last student-run bars in Manchester, and the staff are residents within the hall who volunteer their time there. Originally located within the snooker room in the open Junior Common Room, it was relocated under the dining hall and expanded under Warden Smalley in the 1970s. The bar was renovated again in the 1990s to allow for a greater variety of socials.

These socials are organised by an elected representative within the hall. The events range from bar crawls, like the Crawl of Duty and the 300 Bar Crawl, to in-house events, such as the glow rave and the Halloween social "Nightmare on Kent Road East", which feature local DJs. There is also a weekly pub quiz run by students.

Formal Hall

St Anselm Hall is one of the last remaining halls to partake in a formal dinner, otherwise known as Formal Hall. It is mandatory for all members of the hall to wear gowns to dinner, tutors and students alike.

Proceedings start with all students entering the dining hall, after the doors have been opened by the catering staff. Once everyone is stood behind their seats, the JCR president makes any announcements and once completed, instructs the student closest to the entrance to bang the serving spoon, which is done three times. This signifies to the warden and tutors that they are to enter, which they do upon hearing this. They make their way to the top table, and the warden then gives the hall grace, and dinner may start. Upon finishing, the warden arises, at which point everyone else also stands, and leaves, thus signifying the end of dinner, meaning everyone may now leave.

The usual hall grace given before formal hall is Benedictus benedicat (May the Blessed One give a blessing). After dinner the grace given is Benedicto benedicatur (Let praise be given to the Blessed One (if you believe Benedicto is dative); or Let a Blessing be given by the Blessed One (if you believe Benedicto is ablative)).[3]

After Christmas dinner Floreat Aula Sanctus Anselmi (May St. Anselm Hall flourish) is traditionally toasted, alongside "The Queen, the Duke of Lancaster".

Residential Life Officer

The Residential Life Officer (formerly known as the Warden) has responsibility over the welfare all of the residents in St Anselm Hall and is point of contact between students and the University.

The Wardens Plaque is one of many in the dining hall and serves as a catalogue of the former wardens and their time spent in the role.

1907 – 1914 The Rev. T.B. Allworthy
1914 – 1915 The Rev. T.H. Cleworth
1919 – 1922 The Rev. Canon H.G. Chevassut
1922 – 1927 The Rev. Canon L. Dewar
1928 – 1933 The Rev. Canon D. Armitage
1934 – 1939 The Rev. T.H. South
1939 – 1948 The Rev. Preb G.J. Inglis
1948 – 1963 The Rev. Canon Prof R.H Preston D.D.
1963 – 1972 G. North
1972 – 1977 The Rev. Canon S.S. Smalley
1977 – 1981 Dr R.G. Davies
1982 – 1987 The Rev. Dr R.J. Elford
1988 – 1990 J. Yates
1990 – 1991 Dr J.P. Kane
1992 – 1993 Dr J.V. Ramsbottom
1993 – 2005 Dr A.A. Mawby
2005 – 2014 Dr C. Bloomfield
2014 – 2016 Laura Turner
2016 – present Dr Ben Walker

References

  1. ↑ "Manchester City Council Listed Buildings". Retrieved 8 January 2009.
  2. ↑ T.E.Lawrenson, Hall of Residence: St Anselm Hall In The University Of Manchester (The St Anselm Hall Association, Manchester, 2007)
  3. ↑ T.E.Lawrenson, Hall of Residence: St Anselm Hall In The University Of Manchester (The St Anselm Hall Association, Manchester, 2007)
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