While the all-too-brief British summer time holds and we enjoy temperatures upwards of 30 degrees (don’t get used to it), it seems like the perfect time to show you some of the new outdoor areas sat right outside Leek Road halls.
Sat between the nature reserve and the residence office in Coalport is the memorial community garden, finished in late 2015 and dedicated to student Eni Mevish. It’s a great place to sit in the sun, with benches, bushes, trees, flowers and even a tiny outdoor pizza oven.
The Staffs Uni residence team look after the garden and also plan events so students can make the most of it; they’ve had BBQs and seasonal parties in the past and I’ve been told to expect an open-mic night in the near future…
On the grass adjacent to the garden, you’ll also find two of the ping-pong tables we’ve got dotted around campus, to celebrate Stoke-on-Trent being named the European City of Sport for 2016, so feel free to pick up a paddle whenever you’re passing through with free time.
As if this wasn’t enough, the team have added even more to the outdoor area outside of Coalport in recent weeks. A brand new student area joins the garden to the wide doors of the residence office with comfortable sheltered seating, fire pits, lighting, heating and a sound system. It’ll be the ideal spot to relax during a quiet evening after lectures.
There’s yet more in the works this summer, with another community garden being built outside of Royal Doulton halls, so it’ll soon be very easy to enjoy all of the outdoor space around our halls. Let’s just hope the warm weather lasts a little longer.