Farewell LMW accommodation – Malcolm Gill 1962-65

This summer we’re saying farewell to our Lord Mayor’s Walk accommodation blocks. After being home to York St John students for 57 years they will soon be making way for an exciting Creative Centre which will open in May 2021.

We’ve been delighted to spend some time talking to a few of the 8,000 former students who have stayed in the blocks, to hear some of their stories and takes of what it was like to live there.

First up, we have Malcolm Gill. Malcolm studied Physical Education at York St John from 1962-65, and spent his second year living in B Block, just one year after the accommodation was first built.

What are your first memories about moving into B Block? 

“My first thoughts were how modern and luxurious it was, having been on School Corridor in the Quad for my first year, B Block was certainly an upgrade.” 

Are you still in touch with your flat mates? 

“Yes! I became the year rep for our cohort a few years ago so I’m regularly still in touch with 50-60 former students from my year, which includes several who lived with me in B Block.” 

What do remember most about your time in B Block? 

“I remember that the rooms were light and had a good deal of room, there was also a lot more furniture in the rooms as well as a shower room on each floor, which was a novelty for us.” 

What was your signature dish? 

“We would use the shared kitchens for making tea and coffee, maybe some toast, but that was about it. We did very little cooking because meals were included for all students at the college. We would head down to the main refectory at mealtimes to eat with other students. Anyone arriving late for meals had to go up to the high-table and bow before taking a seat! I remember we’d had a few nights in a row of eating spam fritters and were getting fed up with it. So one night we sent them back and found them in our sandwiches at lunch the next day!“

What was your favourite thing about living on campus? 

“The best thing was that you really felt like part of the college and the student life, especially having come from industrial Bradford. It was very different.” 

Anything else you’d like to share with us? 

“It’s important to remember that everything was free for us during our time at the college. Including tuition, meals, & accommodation. So above all we were incredibly appreciative of what we had.” 

Thank you Malcolm for sharing your memories with us. Stay tuned through the next few days as we share some more stories from other former students about their time in LMW accommodation.