Covered Passage

Covered Passage has been a staple of Radley life since the earliest days of the College, when the Old School (now the Richard Morgan Library) was connected to Mansion by ‘Covered Way’, an open-sided cobbled passage with a slate roof supported by wooden pillars.

Covered Passage has been the stage for much more than simply coming and going. Its history includes running races, pony rides, postal services, museum displays, cakes sales and, of course, it is the perennial home of school notices – some more official than others.

As part of the 175th anniversary celebrations, Covered Passage has been redecorated, with new paint and lighting. An exciting timeline mural has been added to the east wall, documenting the incredible history of the College and Old Radleians.

1880s: Covered Passage looking towards Chapel

"That the walls of Covered Passage be painted with something that does not come off." – Suggestions, The Radleian, Nov 1903

"That a case, like the new notice-board in Covered Passage, be put up as a receptacle for lost articles, such as knives and fountain pens." – Suggestions, The Radleian, Mar 1908

1906: Covered Passage looking towards Chapel The ‘Covered Way’ joined The Old School to Mansion. It was open-sided with a cobbled floor and slate roof.

The initial wooden flooring is laid, a set of long springy, widely spaced boards, noted later as being very noisy, and through which rats emerged, especially during the quiet vacation periods.

Walter Bradford Woodgate, one of Radley’s earliest pupils, performed a “singular athletic feat by running up and down its eighty yards a hundred times, and eating two pots of jam, in an hour”. Walter went on to become a renowned oarsman, coach, writer and journalist, and lawyer.

Part of the passage currently near Chapel had a corrugated iron roof and was known as ‘Tin Tunnel’.

George Malcomson, cox of the Eight, when awarded the privilege of riding a Don’s pony back to College from the river, rode the pony along Covered Passage. He was discovered by the Warden and swiftly punished.

The corrugated iron of ‘Tin Tunnel’ is slowly dismantled and reused. The existing structure begins to be constructed in brick in the early 1890s.

Numerous complaints are printed in The Radleian about the “perfectly abominable” condition of the floor of Covered Passage. The widely spaced boards led to the loss of any coins that fell to the floor, and protruding nails snagged on boots. One submission, in 1897, complained that they had “sacrificed about eight pairs of boots, besides various shillings and sixpences, to that implacable floor.”

Finally, in 1898, the “rat-ridden boards” are replaced with a new wooden block flooring.

Letters from famous Old Radleians are framed and put on display in Covered Passage. The handwriting of some is so poor that typed translations are displayed by the side.

Covered Passage is repanelled.

Museum cases are present in Covered Passage, filled with objects of interest such as fossils and exotics eggs. These had previously been housed elsewhere in the College, and a number of complaints were received at their poor condition and upkeep during the 1910s & 1920s.

During the early years of WWI a School Roll of Honour board was displayed in Covered Passage. In 1916, a submission to The Radleian complained that this board had not been kept up to date, despite the school having ‘every reason to be proud’ of what the College and ORs had done for the war effort so far.

"That roller-skating races be instituted in Covered Passage." – Suggestions, The Radleian, Dec 1922

That mirrors be provided half-way down Covered Passage to enable those entering Chapel with untidy hair to realise their untidiness. – Suggestions, The Radleian, Nov 1925

We are now waiting for someone commerciallyminded to turn Covered Passage into a skittles alley. – The Radleian, Oct 1961

1932

1950s: Cloisters and Covered Passage looking towards Old School (the modern library)

◀ 1970

▶ An occupant in the Amnesty International cage, 2007 2000s: Covered Passage looking towards Chapel

Explore Radley Archive event videos for more fascinating history: bit.ly/RadSocArchVid Improvements to Covered Passage in the 1930s included new notice boards for individual subjects and groups.

Daily records of weather conditions are displayed in Covered Passage.

In 1947, for the centenary celebrations, a new wooden block floor was laid “for the comfort of royal feet”, ahead of a visit by Princess Elizabeth.

Displays of College artwork, described in 1955 as “a brilliant mass of coloured cardboard, poles and art objects” are put up in Covered Passage.

A profile of Covered Passage in The Radleian 1962 describes it as serving Radley as “the market-place did Athens”. The crowds around notice boards provided excellent scrummage practice for rugger.

A notice board of events around Oxford titled ‘What Goes On’ was added to Covered Passage.

During the 1970s, the north end of Covered Passage, the entrance to the Old School, was remodelled. New lighting was added.

‘Airport-lounge’ style monitors were installed at the entrances to Hall and on Covered Passage to improve the efficiency of communication. This does not seem to have met with approval from all quarters, and in 21st century, the era of technology, they have not returned.

Following the serious kitchen fire of 1991, and subsequent inspection, Covered Passage was refurbished in 1993. The proliferation of ‘pipes, ducts, and cables’ was tidied, the panelling was refurbished, notice boards were replaced, and the original window surrounds were restored to view.

In April 1991, Warden Dennis Silk undertook the first hour of silent vigil as a ‘prisoner’ in the Amnesty International cage in Covered Passage. Dons and boys continued to raise awareness this way, in silent contemplation, into the 2000s.

From at least the 2000s, a Societies Fair was held annually in Covered Passage. The Model Aircraft Society regularly flew their planes along part of it, and the Animals Society introduced boys to various live snakes, including the boa constrictor.

Polling stations are set up in Covered Passage for the Radley College General Election. Four 6.1 boys stand as candidates for the main parties of the time (Conservative, Labour, Liberal Democrat, and UKIP). With a 76% turnout amongst boys, the Conservatives win with 47% of the vote. UKIP came second with 31%.

Covered Passage is redecorated, and a timeline mural added to celebrate the College’s 175 years of history.