In this week's 'A Conversation With...', we caught up with the College's Deputy Bursar Estates, Mrs Lynne Hall! Mrs Hall has been at the College for five months and in this feature, we find out more about what she did before joining Shiplake, as well as get some inside knowledge of current and upcoming development projects on the College site...
What is your role at Shiplake and how long have you been here?
I am the Deputy Bursar Estates here at Shiplake College and I have been here for five months. Together with the maintenance, grounds and domestic teams, I look after the facilities and lettings, as well as the health and safety at the College.
What were you doing before joining Shiplake?
Prior to joining Shiplake College, I spent many years formulating products and managing projects for Unilever. If you have any Sure, Lynx or Dove products in your home, it's likely I was involved in them at some stage.
More recently I worked as a School Business Manager across a federation of two primary schools along the Oxford Road in Reading.
What is a day in the life at the College like for you?
There's no such thing as a typical day, which is what makes the job so interesting. A day can involve meeting with the team or contractors, planning future works, ensuring health and safety compliance, co-ordinating support for school events and lettings, or reacting to immediate maintenance or safety issues on site. There's certainly never a dull moment here at the College that’s for sure!
Can you tell us about any upcoming projects that will happen on the College site?
There are a number of exciting projects in progress, and the design and planning of the new Stableyard classroom block is in full swing. The building and courtyard will be in keeping with its surroundings and upon completion, will provide a further four classrooms. We are currently aiming to start construction in May, so there is not long to go now.
What do you do outside of work?
I class myself as a foodie and like nothing better than to cook with my (now adult!) kids. It usually means every kitchen utensil has been used and there's often a pile of dirty pots, but it's fun to create new dishes and taste unusual flavours.
Art and design is my other passion; I like to paint or visit galleries as well as help friends with their garden or interior design. Sometimes, brave friends even let me paint murals on their wall!
In July I can be found volunteering at the Woodcote Steam Engine Rally, which is a big event in our village, and the rest of my time is spent walking my dog or socialising with friends.
What does the future hold for Mrs Hall?
I think the future will be busy delivering projects here at Shiplake. I also hope one day to visit the Galapagos Islands and see the unique wildlife in its natural habitat.
