Buildings & Facilities
Although the current financial position has restricted expenditure on capital projects, through philanthropy in 2024–25 we have raised £455,887 towards buildings and facilities.
You may have noticed that, at Keble, we are fascinated by bricks… but this is for a good reason; few places in Oxford wear their character so boldly on their walls. These buildings are the heart of College life, providing the spaces where our community studies, works, and flourishes. Preserving and enhancing these remarkable spaces remains one of our core priorities.
Cricket Sight Screen
Even modest contributions can create lasting impact. The Old Vagabonds proved this through their collective philanthropy to support the Keble College Cricket Club in both practical and commemorative ways.
Thanks to the generosity of this group, the club has been able to purchase a new set of sight screens for the cricket pitch. The new equipment, installed and ready for the Summer 2025 season, ensuring that players can continue to enjoy the game in the best possible conditions.
Beyond the practical benefit to the club, the group’s support also carries a personal meaning. A commemorative plaque has been dedicated to Michael Burns (PPE 1976), ensuring his memory lives on alongside the sport he loved. This thoughtful tribute underscores how collective giving can extend beyond material contributions, preserving cherished connections and celebrating the legacy of individuals who shaped the community.
You can read Michael’s Life Story here: Life Stories - Michael Lowrie Burns (1976) - Keble College
David Smith
1972 English (Old Vagabond)
“During the decade from mid 1970s to 80s, Keble College Cricket flourished; Keble won Cuppers in 1975 and were boosted from 1976 by mature student, Michael Burns, a vastly experienced club cricketer and later youth coach with Surrey. Mike and the Keble cricketers of the day revived a Keble Cricket touring and full summer fixture list as the ‘Keble Vagabonds’. As team mates left we kept the fixtures as ‘Old Vagabonds’ and have stayed in close contact over the 45 years since! The Old Vagabonds were proud to honour Mike’s memory and create a legacy for Keble cricket in the future by enabling the college to buy and install new cricket Sightscreens. Mike Burns embodied Keble’s ambition to use sporting energy and excellence to bring talent together and foster friendship and long-term loyalty.”
The Keble Kitchen Refurbishment
Following the remarkable renovation of the Hall and Servery in 2018, the refurbishment of the Keble kitchen is both long overdue and essential.
Over time, the space has become increasingly inefficient, with ageing equipment and a layout that no longer supports a smooth or effective workflow. The basement kitchen underpins daily operations: food is received at ground level, prepared below and served upstairs.
This project will transform the kitchen into a modern, energy-efficient facility designed to meet today’s standards and tomorrow’s needs, while honouring the heritage of our Grade I listed building.
Key objectives include:
Refurbishment and reconfiguration Upgrading the existing kitchen with new equipment and an improved layout that meets current regulations and best practices.
New mezzanine level Introducing a mezzanine to house essential extraction and ventilation systems within the existing double-height space.
Sensitive building updates Making minimal changes to the building’s exterior while supporting new mechanical systems and improved airflow.
Improved functionality Converting a ground-floor linen store into a modern crockery wash area to enhance workflow.
Historic respect Retaining and celebrating original architectural features while sensitively integrating modern design.
Energy efficiency and sustainability Selecting eco-friendly equipment and future-proofing the facility wherever possible.
This proposal refines and simplifies a larger scheme approved in 2016 (Ref: 16/00609/LBC), which did not proceed due to funding limits and the COVID-19 pandemic. Building on that earlier vision, this updated design retains its core principles while adapting them for today’s practical and financial realities.
Sarfraz (Freddy) Hussain
Head of Catering Services
“This project represents a significant investment in the future of our catering operations and reflects our ambition to operate more efficiently and responsibly in every aspect of food service. These upgrades will not only reduce our environmental footprint but also enhance our overall effectiveness and efficiency in food production and service. We are excited about the positive impact this redevelopment will have on our community, both operationally and environmentally.”
The total cost of the kitchen project is £2,000,000. To date we have raised £687,000, including £400,000 generously gifted through the legacy of Robert Gee (1950 Physics).
If you would like to learn more about the kitchen project, and how you can support it, please contact Jenny Tudge.