Grizedale

Grizedale College, was founded in 1974 and is named after Grizedale forest which lies on the edge of the Lake District, bordered by Coniston water to the West and Windermere to the East. Grizedale means "valley of the wild boar" which ties in with the fact that the forest used to be inhabited by wild boars. The forest is a major visitor attraction with 50 miles of tracks for cyclists and walkers and 6,000 acres of terrain that are home to deer, squirrels and woodland birds (but no boars!). The area has become a recreation centre for walking and hiking but this isn’t Grizedale’s only attraction. The forest also creates a stunning backdrop for over 80 outdoor sculptures created by local artists, that are randomly placed around the forest.

The Grizedale boar was only inaugurated as the college mascot in the 1980’s. In the 1970’s, Depravo the rat, a character invented by the renowned actor Michael Palin, represented the college. An early member of college staff was friendly with Mr Palin and obtained the rights to the character. However, it was only later in the 1980’s that a number of parents questioned the relevance of Depravo and the Grizedale boar was created. As you can see in the picture.

Anyway, less about the forest and more about the college. Grizedale used to be the largest college on campus as it was the last of the colleges to be built. Due to the refurbishment of other colleges it has now lost this status but hasn’t given up the status of best college and in my opinion never well. We recently celebrated our 30th anniversary, if you view 3 years ago as recent. When the college was first built there were no doors on the showers or toilets, the rooms were more like cupboards yet its members learnt to love it! You can ask anyone who used to live in old Grizedale what it was like and you’ll always get the same answer. This answer of course was awesome and they’d never have wished for anywhere better. Grizedale is known as the social college and if you enter the bar your sure to see a lot of the same faces. Some such as me Pete Mc, MattyP, Zita, Jacky and many more.