College Common Areas#

Reception Desks#

The WGH and LH reception desks are staffed 24 hours each day. They are the hub of each House and should be your first port of call if you are unsure about how to do or find anything at the College. As well as handling inquiries, the Reception team also provides Goodcards, College forms, music room keys, equipment, information and advice. Equipment that can be borrowed from House Receptions includes:

• Vacuum cleaners (please remember to empty the dust container)
• Baggage trolleys
• Tennis and Table Tennis equipment (and court bookings)
• Luggage scales.

Common Rooms#

Function rooms (for example, the LH and WGH Common Rooms and the Churchill Room) are available for Members’ events, with priority given to activities organised by College Clubs or by the Dean’s team. Please consult The Square to make a booking request. (Note that you are thereby making a booking request and not, automatically, a booking.) Requests should be made one week in advance of proposed use. During weekdays, these rooms are sometimes also used by outside bodies under commercial venue hire arrangements which bring the College some useful income. Members are welcome to book rooms during the day if they are available. Please contact Michelle.Senyah@goodenough.ac.uk with last-minute requests.

Libraries#

The magnificent Charles Parsons Library in London House and the Campbell Stuart Library (and attached Canadian Scholars’ Reading Room) in Willie G are available at all times for use by Members. Because there is limited space, they are not open to friends of College Members, Alumni, those subletting rooms in the College or members of the general public. As well as academic books and contemporary fiction, a number of periodicals are available for reading in the libraries. Please do not eat or drink in the libraries.

The College employs a Member as a dedicated librarian, who can often be found in the small office at the rear of the Charles Parsons Library. She welcomes Member involvement in the library’s affairs.

During busy periods, such as exam times, if the libraries are full, the large and small Common Rooms (unless booked for an event) may also be used as areas of quiet study.

Of course, it’s also worth investigating what libraries are available to you at your university. And, as a postgraduate student, you also have access to the British Library, located on Euston Rd just to the west of King’s Cross Station. The British Library has a large number of discipline-based Reading Rooms. To obtain access to the Library’s Reading Rooms, you must register as a Reader. To do this, you will need to show proof of identity, a separate proof of address (get a letter from your House Administrator), and proof of enrolment at your university. You also have access to other libraries in the local area, the closest being Holborn Library (32-38 Theobald’s Road, WC1X 8PA).

Butteries#

Butteries are self-catering kitchens where Members can prepare meals for themselves. There are four Butteries in WGH and four butteries in London House:

William Goodenough House#

• Princess Alice Buttery, ground floor, Jubilee Wing
  (5 cookers/seating for 30)
• Lower ground floor, Jubilee Wing
  (2 cookers/seating for 4)
• Lower ground floor, JCC Wing
  (2 cookers/seating for 4)
• 2nd floor, Jubilee Wing
  (2 cookers/seating for 4)
• 2 pantries on the 3rd and 4th floor, Elysium Wing
  (microwave only/seating for 4)

London House#

• Lower ground floor
  (6 cookers/seating for 32)
• three butteries on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th floor
  (3 cookers/seating for 12-18)
• 5 pantries on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th floors
  (microwave only).

Cooking equipment is not permitted in rooms. Lockers are available in some Butteries for Members to store cooking equipment. House Administrators can provide locker keys for a small deposit.

For fire safety reasons, never leave any of the cooking appliances unattended whilst in use. Please clean the facilities after you have used them.

Laundries#

There are three laundries within Goodenough College. Two are located in the basement in WGH (one in Jubilee and one in JCC wing) and one in the south-east basement corridor of LH.

Circuit is our laundry services provider. To use machines in the laundry rooms, use one of the options below:

Use the APP#

(Unlike other electronic payments at Goodenough College, Circuit does not use your Goodcard for payments.)

• Download the Circuit Laundry Plus app from Google Play for Android devices Circuit Google Play
• Download the Circuit Laundry Plus app from the App Store for Apple devices Circuit App Store
• Set up an account by registering your email address and creating a password (See Annex III below)
• Top up your account using Paypal or Freedompay;
• Start using the washers and driers in the the LH & WGH laundry rooms.

Use a Laundry Card#

• Collect a laundry card from Reception (LH or WGH)
• Visit www.circuit.co.uk and follow instructions online to top-up
• Take your laundry card and top-up code to the top-up machine
• Activate your credit using the top-up marchine

Please note: by utilising Goodenough College’s Circuit Laundry system, all users are agreeing to follow the Terms and Conditions of use.

Remember to follow the instructions on the machines and take note of the maximum fill level. You can access instructions via How to wash your laundry Wash How to dry your laundry Dry Any faults with washing machines or driers should be reported directly to Circuit via:

• Circuit App
• Circuit Website: Contact form
• Phone: 08000924068

In case your enquiry is not resolved by Circuit Team, please contact Facilities Helpdesk facilities.helpdesk@goodenough.ac.uk

Children’s Games Room and Play Room#

WGH has a games room, play room and library for young children. You can borrow a key from Reception in return for your Goodcard. Children must be supervised by an adult at all times in these rooms. Please do not eat and drink in these rooms and leave them tidy when you leave. The Parents Club at the College is responsible for the good maintenance of the toys and books.

Media Rooms#

In addition to the Internet access provided in your room/flat, both London House and William Goodenough House have Media Rooms that contain Internet-connected Windows PCs with Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel and Powerpoint) plus printing, scanning and photocopying facilities. The WGH Media Room is in the basement corridor beneath the Reception area and the LH Media Room is in the basement in the North West corner of the building, near the Buttery. The rooms are open 24 hours per day and using the computers is free of charge.

There is a charge for printing/photocopying (but scanning to USB or email is free):

• printing a Black and White A3 page costs 8p (16p for double-sided)
• printing a Colour A4 page costs 20p (40p for double-sided)
• printing a Colour A3 page costs 40p ( 80 p for double-sided).

You need a network account with a username and password to use the Media Room PCs. All Members are eligible for an account. You will be emailed your user name and password within 72 hours of your arrival. Couples should each complete a form if both require access. Families with a child over the age of 15 who would like Internet and Media Room access should contact the IT Helpdesk. ithelpdesk@goodenough.ac.uk

Storage#

There is no long or short term storage facility in the College.

Music Rooms#

There are three music rooms in the south basement at London House, and two (one with a grand piano) in the basement of JCC at WGH. These rooms are available for use by all Members and not just those studying music. Members must email the Dean to request permission for access prior to using the Music Rooms. Advance booking must be made on booking sheets in the folders which can be found at each House Reception. The sheets are released every Monday morning at 8am to enable booking for that week. Members are asked to limit use of these rooms to a maximum of two hours per session, with two sessions per day (total 4 hours). You will be asked to leave your GoodCard when you collect the Music Room key from reception (it will be returned to you when you return the key).

Grand Pianos#

The College has five grand pianos - three in LH (one in the LCR, one in the Chapel, one in the Great Hall) and two in WGH (LCR and Music Room 3). The use of these grand pianos is restricted to those studying professional courses in piano in London. The Member must first secure the permission of the Dean before booking these instruments. Please consult The Square for fuller information on restrictions and regulations in the use of the grand pianos.

Art Room#

There is an Art Room in WGH for the use of College artists. An application for use must be made to the Dean; and a booking system operates at the College Reception for the scheduling of art production in this room.

Roof Terraces and Quads#

These areas are for the use of all Members but please be considerate of noise as you will always be close to someone else’s room or flat. Group noise in these areas must cease by 8pm. Smoking is not permitted in any of these areas.

Mecklenburgh Square Garden#

The Garden#

The beautiful Mecklenburgh Square Garden is not the College’s exclusive Garden and is shared with local residents who govern its use. It is important to note this is a garden and not a park - it should be viewed as a place of tranquillity and to enjoy nature. Keys to the garden can be borrowed temporarily from House Receptions in return for your Goodcard. Do not pass the key on to others and if you lose a key there is a £100 fine payable to the Garden Committee. Members with children are entitled to have their own key by leaving a £100 deposit. Contact the Registrar if you would like a key.

Garden Committee#

Like other private London Squares, and according to a Parliamentary statute, Mecklenburgh Square Garden is managed by a Committee, which is elected by, and from, the Members and taxpayers of the Square. Under the provisions of the statutes, the Garden Committee is required to have up to nine Members, who are elected at the Annual General Meeting, held in the first week of June.

The Mecklenburgh Square Garden Committee has drawn up rules to ensure that all sections of the Square community can enjoy the quiet and beauty of a London garden. It is a small and precious green area. Please respect the Garden Committee’s rules, which are formulated to ensure that this wonderful amenity is retained.

The Garden gate must always be relocked immediately after entering or leaving the Garden.

• Jogging is permitted only on the gravel paths, never on the grass verges.
• Bicycles are not permitted in the Garden except tricycles and bikes for small children.
• Ball games, frisbee throwing and similar activities are not permitted in the Garden under any circumstances. They cause damage to plants and disturbance to others.
• Please do not pick the flowers - leave them so that others may enjoy them. Soil and stones should not be removed from the Garden.
• The playing of radios or the use of any form of amplified sound equipment is not permitted in the Garden.
• Guests may be brought into the Garden, but parties (including events and barbecues for 20 or more) may only be held with permission of the Garden Committee. Organisers are responsible for advance bookings and must guarantee good order. There must be no noise that might disturb other Garden users, and all parties and barbecues (inclusive of the time taken to clean and tidy up afterwards) must terminate by 10 pm . For College Members, any group must consist of at least 60% current College Members.
• Keyholders are responsible for the good behaviour of their children and of any guest that they, or any Member household, bring into the Garden.
• The Garden opens at sunrise and closes at 10 pm .

Barbecue Bookings#

• Two of the four grills may be booked in advance. Two are always kept free for ad hoc users. If you are part of pre-booked party, please make sure that the other two barbecues are accessible and that you don’t surround the barbecue area with tables.
• Booking forms are available from the reception desks in William Goodenough House and London House or on The Square. All bookings must be secured a minimum of two weeks prior to the proposed date. A barbecue-booking schedule is available at William Goodenough and London House Reception for information only.
• Groups of nine or less do not necessarily need to book. Larger groups of between ten and nineteen are required to book grills; only one College Member group booking is permitted per day.
• Organised parties of twenty or more require permission from the Garden Committee and, due to the demand on the Garden, it is necessary to ensure that all large gatherings are comprised mainly of current College Members. A £50 deposit is required. You should email the Registrar if you wish to hold a barbecue or any other garden event for twenty or more people and you will be advised how to prepare a submission to the Garden Committee. This could take some time and you are advised to give a least two weeks’ notice. You should note events for forty or more are not normally approved.
• Applications may not be approved due to previously scheduled events. It is, therefore, important that permission is obtained before inviting your guests.
• Your deposit will be refunded one week after the barbecue provided that the garden is left in excellent condition and all refuse has been removed (see below).
• All users of the barbecue must remove their rubbish. The barbecue area must be left clean and tidy ready for the next users. The Garden Committee does not provide charcoal and rubbish bags. Please remember to bring your own.
• The playing of radios or the use of any form of amplified sound equipment is not permitted, neither is the use of portable generators.
• Please remember to keep the gate locked at all times.

Barbecues - Booking Procedure Overview#

Barbecue Etiquette#

The barbecue is a wonderful asset in the beautiful Mecklenburgh Square Garden for the use of all those who use the Garden which includes the long term Mecklenburgh Square residents. Large groups must book in advance and gain permission from the Chair of the Garden Committee.

• Leave enough room round the other grills for other users. If you are a large group don’t set up at the barbecue area use the barbecue area to grill but set up further away to allow others access to the barbecue grills. You may move the tables and benches in the Garden but please do not use all of them, leave some for others to use.
• If the barbecue area is messy when you arrive please notify William Goodenough House Reception so that they can establish who the last user was. Unfortunately you will still have to clear the area yourself but we will talk to the last user about barbecue etiquette.
• Before you light your barbecue clear away cold ash and coals. Do not try to move hot coals. The next person to use the grill should clear away your ash and coals as you did for the person before you. Please don’t leave items like lighter fluid or chemicals in the Garden. Do not throw coals (hot or cold) into the bins in the garden.
• Clean up all rubbish before you leave and remove it from the Garden. Food and other waste attracts vermin including rats and foxes. Abandoned bottles, bottle tops and tin cans are hazards for the children who use the garden. Do not hesitate to pick up waste overlooked by other users. Smokers should collect and remove cigarette butts. There are no public bins in the garden. The bins are for garden waste only.
• The Garden closes at 10 pm . You should start clearing up at 9.45 pm or, preferably, before it gets dark.
• Do not leave the gates open at anytime. If you are expecting guests who do not have a key they should call you when they arrive. The nearest public WCs are in the reception of William Goodenough House (north side of Mecklenburgh Square).
• Please don’t feed the foxes.

Tennis Court#

• The tennis court may be booked only by those entitled to use the Garden.
• A one-hour session costs £4 payable when booking in person at William Goodenough House Reception. Bookings for the week commencing on a Monday may be made from 8pm on the Wednesday of the previous week. During the first 24 hours (until 8pm on Thursday) a key holder may make only one booking. Thereafter, further bookings may be made up to a maximum of one per day. Players intending to play together may not reserve consecutive hours under different names, but a second hour, if available, may be booked on the day itself.
• You should exchange your Goodecard for the tennis court keys from WGH Reception just before you are due to play. The Garden Committee reserves the right to vary the hourly rate without warning. Bookings may not be made by telephone.
• A booking may be cancelled up to 24 hours before the time of play, and the booking retained for use on another occasion. In the event of later cancellation, the court fee will be forfeited.
• If a booking is not taken up by 15 minutes past the hour, the court may be taken by another player for a fee of half the full rate. The half fee shall also apply to those under the age of 15, if the court is not booked at the time of play.
• If, due to rain, less than 15 minutes’ play is possible, the booking may be used on a second occasion.
• You must return the tennis court keys immediately after your game so that they can be handed out to the next players.
• The court rules are as follows:
• only rubber-soled shoes without heels may be worn.
• after play, please padlock the tennis court gate, unless other players are immediately coming onto the court.
• remove rubbish (if any)
• the net must be wound down to release the tension at the end of play
• If your ball ends up in the flowerbeds, do not attempt to retrieve it yourself. One of the gardeners will get it back and it will be placed into a ball bin inside the court.

Tennis Equipment#

Racquets and balls can be borrowed by College Members. The equipment must be signed out and back in on a Tennis Equipment Form. Equipment must be returned after each onehour slot. Staff at WGH reception will check each racquet’s strings before giving them out; if strings are broken, the staff Member will notify the Tennis Club Administrator to arrange restringing; you may be charged £20 to cover this cost.

Children in the Garden#

• Young children, under the age of 8, must be supervised by an adult key holder.
• An area near the northern gate is allocated as the children’s play area. Games and other activities should be restricted to this area so as to minimise inconvenience and discomfort to other garden users. In turn, other users are requested to minimise any interference with children’s reasonable enjoyment within this zone.
• Young children may bring toys and other play equipment (including balls, tricycles and dolls’ carriages) into the garden for use within the designated area. Toys borrowed from the shed should be returned to the shed after play. Parents should be careful that the activities of their children do not to impinge upon the enjoyment of others or cause damage to the garden.
• Climbing on trees and entering garden beds is strictly prohibited. Playing in the garden beds and borders damages and kills new planting.
• Gravel, sand and bark must not be removed from their correct places, i.e. paths and the sandpit.
• The climbing frame and slides, and the Wendy house are for the enjoyment of younger children and are to be used only under the supervision of a responsible adult. The last person(s) to use the sandpit should ensure that the sandpit is covered before leaving the Garden.
• Parents are responsible for the actions of their children. Deliberate damage to any part of the garden or its equipment may lead to withdrawal of the privilege of use of the garden.
• The children’s notice board may periodically display other information about use of the garden in addition to points of interest. Children are invited to contribute.
• The gardeners often attract considerable interest from children. Please ensure that your child’s fascination does not interfere with the important work they have to do.

Nuffield Health Bloomsbury#

Nuffield Health#

There is an independently-run gym with a 25 -metre swimming pool in the basement of London House (access is via a separate entrance on the west external side of London House). College Members can purchase membership at preferential rates: to obtain this preferential rate, you should mention that you are a Goodenough College Member and show them your Goodcard. You will be required to sign an annual contract and you can only be released from this contract at the end of a year or if you leave the College. If you are leaving the College before the end of your annual gym contract, you should contact your House Administrator before your last Direct Debit for the gym is due to be to be taken and ask them to send an email to the gym manager to confirm you will be leaving the College.