Northcourt Avenue, Reading, RG2 7HB
What does St. Patricks Hall have, and where can you find them?
Junior Common Room
The first thing your going to find is the JCR, simply because you have to go here to get your keys on the first day. You will also attend a meeting here at around 4pm which includes a talk by the warden. When you join the hall, you have no choice but to join the JCR. In the 2005/2006 academic year this was £40. For this you get facilities such as Sky TV and a pool table. You also get activities arranged by the JCR committee. In the 2005/2006 academic year the JCR wasn't particularly active and not that much was arranged. There were a couple of fun quiz nights, and a good St. Patricks day dinner and party however the JCR got into debt which meant there was no summer ball at the end of the year. The current JCR seems to be falling apart, however there will be a chance for new students to become the JCR in the Spring Term. They will then be responsible for arranging activities for current students, and new students in the 2007/2008 academic year.
Snooker Table
The hall does have a full size snooker table, although this is hidden away and took a while to find! In the JCR there are two doors at the back of the room. The snooker room is in the door on the right, the other is a fire exit so theres not much chance of getting them mixed up! You will however need to get permission to use the room from the hall office, who will then provide you with the code to the door.
Paddys Bar
The hall has its own fully licensed bar, and any alcohol consumed in the JCR must be purchased from here. The JCR and bar was particularly busy during the 2006 World Cup, especially as everyone had also finished their exams by this point. It is generally open every evening until around 11pm, although this might be extended on special occasions. To bar is opposite the hall office...
Computer Room
The hall has a small computer room with four computers and a laser printer located at the M block entrance. As this is the girls-only block you will only be able to access the computer room from the M block entrance (unless you are an M block resident!). Like the snooker room, you will need to find out the code to the door.
Library
One of the only halls to have a library. It is located at the end of Old Court and contains a limited number of books that you may find useful or interesting, although the main University library is much better when looking for something for your course. Some interesting items have been found in the library, such as old journals from years and years ago left by old students. The library also has another six computers and a printer, as well as a special annexe for quiet study if it is not being used for conferences.
Music Room
A small music room is located at the end of the L block/K block corridor in New Court. It has a piano although is not soundproof so can only be used until 8pm. There is however a grand piano in the JCR which can also be used (apparently with permission of the music department, however this no longer exists!).
Table Tennis
You may notice a 'shed' when walking to the shops from St Patricks Hall. This houses the table tennis! Although hardly used, it is available if you ask. It is not heated however, and in the winter the roof does leak a little. Overtime this has probably damaged the table, however is probably still playable. Just ask at the office if you want to have a go...
Bicycle Shed
There is a secure bike shed to keep your bike if required. Many students find the campus quite large and find having a bicycle helps to get around. Again, you will need to find out the code to use this facility.
Car Parking
If you have a car, it is recommended you ask inadvance for a parking permit. There are plenty of spaces, however these will fill up over the term as more and more people bring their cars down. To ensure you have a space, phone the office before you arrive. Forms to get a permit are then available on arrival.
Laundry
There are four washing machines and four dryers located in New Court. You will need to provide your own washing powder/liquid. It is £1.40 to wash your clothes (One £1 coin, and 2 x 20p coins). Dryers are available for a £1 per hour. You need to use your hall key to gain access to the launderette which makes it pretty secure. I have never heard of anything being stolen from here. It is now also monitored by CCTV after a number of breakins to steal money from the machines at the start of the 05/06 academic year.
Smoking is not permitted anywhere in St. Patricks Hall, not in bedrooms, kitchens, Paddys bar or even the JCR.
We have more information on Cafe Shamrock, communal kitchens and communal bathrooms.
It is recommended that in your first couple of weeks at the hall, and before you begin your lectures, take a good look around the hall and find everything that you might need. However, if your still lost, or maybe you've found something we havent mentioned, post a message below...
Junior Common Room
The first thing your going to find is the JCR, simply because you have to go here to get your keys on the first day. You will also attend a meeting here at around 4pm which includes a talk by the warden. When you join the hall, you have no choice but to join the JCR. In the 2005/2006 academic year this was £40. For this you get facilities such as Sky TV and a pool table. You also get activities arranged by the JCR committee. In the 2005/2006 academic year the JCR wasn't particularly active and not that much was arranged. There were a couple of fun quiz nights, and a good St. Patricks day dinner and party however the JCR got into debt which meant there was no summer ball at the end of the year. The current JCR seems to be falling apart, however there will be a chance for new students to become the JCR in the Spring Term. They will then be responsible for arranging activities for current students, and new students in the 2007/2008 academic year.
Snooker Table
The hall does have a full size snooker table, although this is hidden away and took a while to find! In the JCR there are two doors at the back of the room. The snooker room is in the door on the right, the other is a fire exit so theres not much chance of getting them mixed up! You will however need to get permission to use the room from the hall office, who will then provide you with the code to the door.
Paddys Bar
The hall has its own fully licensed bar, and any alcohol consumed in the JCR must be purchased from here. The JCR and bar was particularly busy during the 2006 World Cup, especially as everyone had also finished their exams by this point. It is generally open every evening until around 11pm, although this might be extended on special occasions. To bar is opposite the hall office...
Computer Room
The hall has a small computer room with four computers and a laser printer located at the M block entrance. As this is the girls-only block you will only be able to access the computer room from the M block entrance (unless you are an M block resident!). Like the snooker room, you will need to find out the code to the door.
Library
One of the only halls to have a library. It is located at the end of Old Court and contains a limited number of books that you may find useful or interesting, although the main University library is much better when looking for something for your course. Some interesting items have been found in the library, such as old journals from years and years ago left by old students. The library also has another six computers and a printer, as well as a special annexe for quiet study if it is not being used for conferences.
Music Room
A small music room is located at the end of the L block/K block corridor in New Court. It has a piano although is not soundproof so can only be used until 8pm. There is however a grand piano in the JCR which can also be used (apparently with permission of the music department, however this no longer exists!).
Table Tennis
You may notice a 'shed' when walking to the shops from St Patricks Hall. This houses the table tennis! Although hardly used, it is available if you ask. It is not heated however, and in the winter the roof does leak a little. Overtime this has probably damaged the table, however is probably still playable. Just ask at the office if you want to have a go...
Bicycle Shed
There is a secure bike shed to keep your bike if required. Many students find the campus quite large and find having a bicycle helps to get around. Again, you will need to find out the code to use this facility.
Car Parking
If you have a car, it is recommended you ask inadvance for a parking permit. There are plenty of spaces, however these will fill up over the term as more and more people bring their cars down. To ensure you have a space, phone the office before you arrive. Forms to get a permit are then available on arrival.
Laundry
There are four washing machines and four dryers located in New Court. You will need to provide your own washing powder/liquid. It is £1.40 to wash your clothes (One £1 coin, and 2 x 20p coins). Dryers are available for a £1 per hour. You need to use your hall key to gain access to the launderette which makes it pretty secure. I have never heard of anything being stolen from here. It is now also monitored by CCTV after a number of breakins to steal money from the machines at the start of the 05/06 academic year.
Smoking is not permitted anywhere in St. Patricks Hall, not in bedrooms, kitchens, Paddys bar or even the JCR.
We have more information on Cafe Shamrock, communal kitchens and communal bathrooms.
It is recommended that in your first couple of weeks at the hall, and before you begin your lectures, take a good look around the hall and find everything that you might need. However, if your still lost, or maybe you've found something we havent mentioned, post a message below...