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COLLEGE NEWS I Jesus College Annual Report 2022
Domestic Bursar’s Office Stuart Websdale, Domestic Bursar
Photo by Martin Bond
The scope of my role covers Housekeeping, Gardens, the Boathouse, Maintenance, Housing, the Porters and the Catering, Conference and Events departments. I’m supported by a team of strong managers, who have worked together to achieve several major projects this year while adjusting to the new normal after the pandemic. Our Housekeeping team is led by Sonia Horton, whose biggest challenge has been recruiting staff to allow greater flexibility, including weekends. A recruitment event in the spring targeted new Ukrainian residents, and we are delighted to welcome two of the attendees to the team. Sonia has recently been promoted into the role, replacing Claire Andrews, who started here as a cleaner 20 years ago. Many thanks to Claire for her long service. The restricted access to rooms during the pandemic increased our focus on efficiency, and we encouraged students to become more self-sufficient including engaging with the new recycling facilities to separate waste contributing to our ongoing sustainability drive. Our gardens continued to reflect the move towards sustainability on the site. Our wildflower meadow was remarkably successful this year and we drew up plans for a second meadow in Library Court. As we replace gardening equipment, we try to select battery-powered over petrol machines. In April, the whole College community gathered to say a fond farewell to Paul Stearn, who retired from his role as Head Gardener after 33 years of service to the College. We are incredibly grateful for the care he has taken to develop the gardens and the team during this time. In recent years he made vital contributions to our sustainability work, including creating the woodland walk in 2006, the wildlife meadow, the pond (pictured below) and the compost bays.
