Denman College 1948 - 2020
Education at the Heart
In 1943, Sir Richard Livingstone, President of Corpus Christi College at the University of Oxford and an enthusiastic advocate of adult education, addressed an NFWI Summer School at Radbrook College in Shropshire. As people looked forward to the hoped-for peace there was a wave of enthusiasm for education, and many adult colleges were being established around the country. Sir Richard argued that the WI should establish its own college.
In 1945 a resolution, proposed by Lady Elizabeth Brunner on behalf of the Oxfordshire Federation, was passed at the AGM to bring the ‘WI College’ into being, and the search for suitable premises began. A reasonably central location and good transport connections were important criteria (though sadly Abingdon lost its railway station in 1963). Marcham Park, its house and 100 acres of land, was purchased in 1947 for £16,000 and the college was opened – by Sir Richard Livingstone – on 24 September 1948.
The college was named after Lady Denman, who had recently retired after 30 years as (the first) Chairman of the NFWI. The first warden was Miss Elizabeth (Betty) Christmas, who lived in the small cottage opposite the main house which now bears her name.
In 1943, Sir Richard Livingstone, President of Corpus Christi College at the University of Oxford and an enthusiastic advocate of adult education, addressed an NFWI Summer School at Radbrook College in Shropshire. As people looked forward to the hoped-for peace there was a wave of enthusiasm for education, and many adult colleges were being established around the country. Sir Richard argued that the WI should establish its own college.
In 1945 a resolution, proposed by Lady Elizabeth Brunner on behalf of the Oxfordshire Federation, was passed at the AGM to bring the ‘WI College’ into being, and the search for suitable premises began. A reasonably central location and good transport connections were important criteria (though sadly Abingdon lost its railway station in 1963). Marcham Park, its house and 100 acres of land, was purchased in 1947 for £16,000 and the college was opened – by Sir Richard Livingstone – on 24 September 1948.
The college was named after Lady Denman, who had recently retired after 30 years as (the first) Chairman of the NFWI. The first warden was Miss Elizabeth (Betty) Christmas, who lived in the small cottage opposite the main house which now bears her name.
Sadly, the decision to close Denman, was taken in July 2020. Denman At Home, online courses continue to provide education for WI members.
