Page 28 - Old Ratcliffian Magazine 2019

THE RATCLIFFIAN ASSOCIATION BAR:

FIT FOR THE FUTURE

COUNCIL The development of Ratcliffe’s state-of-the-art Fitness Suite started in
July 2018, after the students left the College for their summer holidays.
Alongside it, work began on the refurbishment of the Ratcliffi an
Association Bar, to update the facility and make it fi t for the future. Due
to its location, it was necessary to strip out the existing bar area and
totally rebuild it, adding a new electrical and heating system, insulated
roof and solar double-glazed windows. These alterations would provide
a bar, a fi tness studio, and a
panoramic balcony overlooking
the cricket pitch, bringing the
College totally up to date with
superb new facilities.
When plans for the rebuild of the
bar fi rst began, former Ratcliffi an
Association Manager Alex Slack
(née Gamble) (03) put out a
call on social media, asking ORs
who wanted to get involved with
the redesign of this space to
get in touch. She said: “We had
such a wealth of Old Ratcliffi an
talent which I wanted to draw upon, and I knew someone would step forward to help with this
project.” Louise Jackson (91), of Louise Jackson Interiors, accepted the challenge to breathe
new life into the tired bar and bring it into the 21st century, creating a space that was both welcoming and functional. Louise said: “I was
delighted that, as an OR, I could be a part of what would be a whole redesign. It was an exciting project for me to be involved in. After
viewing the room (or, should I say, building site, as it was at that point!), I worked on creating a scheme that was adaptable for all types
of social occasion.”
Louise wanted to create a space that was contemporary and sophisticated - a great place to meet up with old friends and refl ect back
on memories, as well as to watch the cricket from the comfort of a cool bar! She added: “I wanted to bring the bar up to date and give
it a strong, luxurious, yet industrial, feel, so I chose colours that would refl ect this. With this new, edgy look, I needed to ground it
with subtle, but important, detailing. The wooden cladding gives a pared-back feel to soften the luxury of the plush button-backed
banquette seating, which sits at the centre of the whole design. I also used dark brown leather
banquette seating, which sits at the centre of the whole design. I also used dark brown leather
seats with visible stitching, the design of which is a direct refl ection of the stitching on a cricket with visible stitching, the design of which is a direct refl ection of the stitching on a cricket
seats
seats with visible stitching, the design of which is a direct refl ection of the stitching on a cricket
ball - this is, after all, a sports bar! I also designed the armchairs to have a heavy weave on the
ball - this is, after all, a sports bar! I also designed the armchairs to have a heavy weave on the
inside of the seats and then a soft velvet on the backs with a marble design. These were then
inside of the seats and then a soft velvet on the backs with a marble design. These were then
studded for an extra drop of detailing - a seat to suit everyone! To carry on the industrial feel, I o carry on the industrial feel, I
studded for an extra drop of detailing - a seat to suit everyone! To carry on the industrial feel, I
studded for an extra drop of detailing - a seat to suit everyone! T
brought in crankshaft iron-based tables and black iron wall lights.”
Once mood boards and specifi
Once mood boards and specifi cation drawings had been created, Alex took the designs to the cation drawings had been created, Alex took the designs to the
Once mood boards and specifi cation drawings had been created, Alex took the designs to the
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Ratcliffi an Association Council, to gain approval in this area. She said: “Much discussion and an Association Council, to gain approval in this area. She said: “Much discussion and an Association Council, to gain approval in this area. She said: “Much discussion and an Association Council, to gain approval in this area. She said: “Much discussion and an Association Council, to gain approval in this area. She said: “Much discussio
Ratcliffi
Ratcliffi an Association Council, to gain approval in this area. She said: “Much discussion and
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lengthy debates had been had about this space. Alterations and changes were put for
lengthy debates had been had about this space. Alterations and changes were put for
lengthy debates had been had about this space. Alterations and changes were put for
lengthy debates had been had about this space. Alterations and changes were put for
lengthy debates had been had about this space. Alterations and changes were put for
lengthy debates had been had about this space. Alterations and changes were put for
lengthy debates had been had about this space. Alterations and changes were put for
lengthy debates had been had about this space. Alterations and changes were put for
lengthy debates had been had about this space. Alterations and changes were put for
lengthy debates had been had about this space. Alterations and changes were put for
lengthy debates had been had about this space. Alterations and changes were put for
lengthy debates had been had about this space. Alterations and changes were put for
lengthy debates had been had about this space. Alterations and changes were put for
lengthy debates had been had about this space. Alterations and changes were put for
lengthy debates had been had about this space. Alterations and changes were put for
lengthy debates had been had about this space. Alterations and changes were put for
lengthy debates had been had about this space. Alterations and changes were put for
lengthy debates had been had about this space. Alterations and changes were put forward by
lengthy debates had been had about this space. Alterations and changes were put forward by ward by ward by ward by ward by ward by ward by ward by ward by ward by ward by ward by ward by ward by ward by ward by ward by ward by ward by ward by ward by ward by ward by
lengthy debates had been had about this space. Alterations and changes were put for
lengthy debates had been had about this space. Alterations and changes were put for
lengthy debates had been had about this space. Alterations and changes were put for
lengthy debates had been had about this space. Alterations and changes were put for
lengthy debates had been had about this space. Alterations and changes were put for
Council members, and opinions were taken on board, to ensure that those who had invested in this
Council members, and opinions were taken on board, to ensure that those who had invested in this
Council members, and opinions were taken on board, to ensure that those who had invested in this
Council members, and opinions were taken on board, to ensure that those who had invested in this
Council members, and opinions were taken on board, to ensure that those who had invested in this
Council members, and opinions were taken on board, to ensure that those who had invested in this
Council members, and opinions were taken on board, to ensure that those who had invested in this
Council members, and opinions were taken on board, to ensure that those who had invested in this
Council members, and opinions were taken on board, to ensure that those who had invested in this
Council members, and opinions were taken on board, to ensure that those who had invested in this
Council members, and opinions were taken on board, to ensure that those who had invested in this
Council members, and opinions were taken on board, to ensure that those who had invested in this
Council members, and opinions were taken on board, to ensure that those who had invested in this
Council members, and opinions were taken on board, to ensure that those who had invested in this
Council members, and opinions were taken on board, to ensure that those who had invested in this
Council members, and opinions were taken on board, to ensure that those who had invested in this
Council members, and opinions were taken on board, to ensure that those who had invested in this
Council members, and opinions were taken on board, to ensure that those who had invested in this
Council members, and opinions were taken on board, to ensure that those who had invested in this
Council members, and opinions were taken on board, to ensure that those who had invested in this
Council members, and opinions were taken on board, to ensure that those who had invested in this
Council members, and opinions were taken on board, to ensure that those who had invested in this
Council members, and opinions were taken on board, to ensure that those who had invested in this
Council members, and opinions were taken on board, to ensure that those who had invested in this
Council members, and opinions were taken on board, to ensure that those who had invested in this
Council members, and opinions were taken on board, to ensure that those who had invested in this
28 The Old Ratcliffi an 2019