Our Centenary Year in 2009, saw some exciting new projects planned for College, with a proposed deadline of 2015. To date (2012) we have been successful in our plans to refurbish and extend the Haughton Dining Room and build our new accommodation block,The Garth.You can find out more about these developments and the major project for which we are currently fundraising, the Learning Resource Centre, below.

Architect's Drawing of Learning Resource Centre

Learning Resource Centre and Second New Accommodation Block

Currently St. John’s library is located on College grounds within the former College chapel building.  This has served as the library since the 1970s, when College chapel services moved to the nearby St. Mary the Less. The new Learning Resource Centre will occupy space next to St. Mary the Less and opposite St. John’s College on The Bailey where a house, previously used for postgraduate accommodation, currently stands. 

This project is particularly special as it marks the first new building on The Bailey in Durham – which is part of a World Heritage Site – in a great many years. The Learning Resource Centre will have teaching rooms, IT suites and also plenty of space for student work, in additional to an updated and expanded library collection. 

On the site of the current library a new accommodation block will then be built.  This building will be a 'mirrror' of our new accommodation block, The Garth (described below) and provide a further forty new ensuite bedrooms and more accommodation for students with access needs. St. John’s has a serious commitment to maintaining its existing buildings but chooses to also focus on creating new facilities,  improving the College for future students who choose to come here. 

The Haughton Orangery

Haughton Dining Room

Thanks to the support of alumni and friends of St. John's, the newly refurbished Haughton Dining Room  and Haughton Orangery extension were officially opened on October 5th 2012 by the Principal, Revd Professor David Wilkinson. As you can see from the photograph we now have a huge, airy modern space where the whole College can eat, as well as a new, modern servery. Dining in College has been transformed and we would like to reiterate our hearfelt thanks to those of you who supported this project. Please do come into College to see the new room, we'd be delighted to show you around and if you let us know in advance, you'll be welcome to join us for lunch!

As part of the appeal for Haughton we asked alumni to send us their memories of eating in the dining room. We received so many recollections that we compiled them into a booklet 'Haughton Dining Room: A Feast of Memories' to mark the occasion of the opening. Read the booklet by clicking on this link.

If you are unfamiliar with online reading, on opening the link, use the minus button on the top tool bar to make the image smaller - 100% should be fine, then click on the icon to the right which has 2 arrows on it to put the file in read mode. You can now use the tool bar which appears near the bottom of the page when you move your cursor down there, to move through the pages, make the page smaller or larger, print, save etc.

Opening of The Garth

The Garth

Forty students ranging from Freshers to Postgrads now occupy The Garth which has not only ensuite bedrooms, but excellent cooking facilities, a lift and purpose built rooms for disabled students or visitors. The roof top rooms enjoy a beautiful view of The Cathedral and River. The Garth's green credentials are secure with rainwater recycling and cost effective heating well in evidence.

The Garth was opened on October 5th 2012 by Former Principal, David Day who also suggested the name for the building , based on the fact that: "A ‘Garth’ is an enclosed area, like an orchard or walled garden.  It captures the hope that this building may be a place of safety, where people may grow and friendships flourish. It speaks of an ordered space, of fruitfulness and growth."