Archive #30/65: Boarding in the 1970s

Two well-appointed Boarding Villas were constructed to provide comfortable and homely accommodation for the Boarders, who were organised under the new horizontal system of one age group being under the same roof. Such was the design of the two Villas, they were held up as a model for other Boarding Schools.

Campbell Villa, for Form Five boarders, named after Mr Roderick Forbes Campbell, was built to hold 28. The Campbell family has had a long association with the two Presbyterian schools in Hawke’s Bay. Mr H.H. Campbell was on the foundation committee of Iona College, while his son, Mr Roderick Forbes Campbell and grandson, Mr Brian Douglas Campbell have dedicated many years to the wellbeing of Lindisfarne College.

Mr Roderick Campbell served on the Iona Council (1930s to 1970_ while also serving on the Lindisfarne College Council from 1956 to 1968. He was a key figure in the early years of the College. His interest, generosity and hands-on oversight of many of the building projects during the early years of the College’s existence enabled new dormitories and other capital works to be undertaken.

On his last visit to Lindisfarne, shortly before he died, he asked to be brought to the College to view the progress on the building of the Chapel-Assembly Hall. At that time he asked that the RF Campbell Bible reading competition be initiated within the College.

Mr Brian Campbell also served as an Iona Councillor, Trustee and Chairman while serving on the Lindisfarne College Council (1969-1990). Continuing his father’s interest in buildings and utilising his experience, his legacy is the high quality buildings that were constructed during the 70s and 80s including the Chemistry Laboratory, Campbell Villa, Kirkpatrick Villa, Practical Arts Block (now the Technology Block), Gymnasium and Mouat Block.

Mr Brian Campbell gave a great deal of energy, time and effort to our College and Lindisfarne today would be viewed as a significant part of his own lifetime achievements.

The Kirkpatrick Villa, named for Mr Alex Kirkpatrick, with its twin and treble rooms, had a maximum of 24 of the most Senior Boarders. The Kirkpatrick family link with Lindisfarne stretches back to the Schools establishment in 1953. 

The new four classroom Mouat Block was completed in 1978. Showers and a Common Room were added to Plantation Dormitory and the construction of the new Mitchell Villa (named for Rev HA Mitchell, College Council member and chaplain, 53-65), for Senior Boarders began. The Parents laid two further tennis courts, bringing the total to 6 asphalt courts.