This grade 2 listed building was in urgent need of an upgrade to bring it into the 21st century. With your help we have created a first-class lecture theatre, concert venue and community drama space.
Erected as a Nonconformist church and Sunday school, the Radcliffe Centre is showing its age: it was last refurbished in 1982 by the University’s building and maintenance department with the help of a generous donation from the John Radcliffe trust, which funded a scheme to enable it to be used as a music centre, as well as a lecture theatre for students and the town of Buckingham.
That is why the former church is named after John Radcliffe (1652-1714), the physician who also gave his name to a number of buildings in Oxford, including the Radcliffe Camera and the Radcliffe Infirmary. John Radcliffe is famous for, among other things, becoming royal physician to William and Mary. In 1713 he was elected to parliament as a member for Buckingham.
Refurbishment update
After three months of building work, the Radcliffe Centre is refurbished and open again, complete with new raked seating, underfloor heating, new lighting, sound system and kitchen.
The University is proud to have an up-to-date lecture theatre and concert venue for students and community alike and is hoping that residents from Buckingham and the surrounding area will use the Centre for plays, musical events and exhibitions.
Sponsorship
The University is grateful to the Friends of the University for their contribution towards the cost of the Concerts & Lectures series. The Friends were formed in 1976 to give the local community and other well-wishers the opportunity to take part in some of its activities. If you would like to be a Friend or would like more information, please contact: julian.lovelock@buckingham.ac.uk.
Donations
Donors, both individuals and local groups, have given generously and we have raised £30,000 towards the cost of refurbishment since November 2010. Our target is still some way off and we continue to welcome donations, both large and small from anyone who treasures the Radcliffe Centre. The Bill for the upgrade is £350,000. For £50 you can have your name and a message in the foyer; for £200 you can have a name on a new chair. If you can help, please contact Development Office.
You can also support us by buying tickets for our fundraising concerts. The first, featuring Giles Wollenmann, will take place on Valentine’s Day (Tuesday 14 February). Tickets are only £2.50 (£3 on the door) and are available from the University’s main Reception. Bernie Marsden and his acoustic band perform for us on Friday 2 and Saturday 3 March. Tickets cost £15 and are selling fast. They are available from the University’s main Reception and Dukes Music.
If you would like to donate, please download Renovating the Radcliffe Centre or contact Development Office to request a printed copy.
