ID130 Keele Amphitheatre Renovation Project - Revisited

The Idea

We propose to restore the “amphitheatre” in Terrace Wood so it can be used as an outdoor laboratory and multifunctional event space. The former quarry that supplied building stone for the original Elizabethan Keele Hall is the oldest identifiable historic feature on Keele Campus dating back to the 1580s. As part of the landscaping in the 1830s associated with the building of the current Keele Hall the site was transformed into a fern-filled grotto complete with a gothic viaduct across the quarry entrance and with a set of steps leading from the quarry floor up to a secret tunnel. The Sneyd’s were visionaries - this was the first example of reclamation of a quarry in the UK! 

Work originally began on this project in 2012 when Keele students assisted by Dr Ian G. Stimpson and Dr Sarah L. Taylor started to clear vegetation to reveal the 311-million-year-old “Butterton Sandstone”. Sadly, Phytophthora on campus in 2013 led to all woodlands being closed and our plans to restore the amphitheatre were put on hold as the spores can persist in the soil for 10 years. Over a decade has passed. Now is the time to bring this visionary project that celebrates Keele's unique conservation history back to life.

Why This Idea Should Be Considered

The derelict Elizabethan c. 1580 quarry and degraded Grade II listed Victorian c.1830-1880 viaduct (English Heritage listing #1029837) and tunnel (#120506) are a potential liability to the university – parts are currently in an unsafe condition, and steadily degrading potentially to a state where demolition might become the only safe solution. Doing nothing may cause the loss of a significant historical asset. This project seeks to transform these historic features that sit in the heart of the campus into a unique asset that celebrates the universities unique heritage of the former Sneyd estate. The authors also have extensive experience through their work for GeoConservation Staffordshire of restoring geological sites. Our work has been featured on BBC Countryfile and in the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust magazine. 

How We Would Implement This Idea

This idea would need to be carried out as a series of phased activities. These will carry financial implications and also potential risks to the infrastructure so liaising with potential funding organisations and expertise of stake holder bodies is required, including : National Lottery Heritage Fund (heritage conservation, adaptive reuse, public access); Historic England (Grade II listed structures, heritage at risk, conservation planning); Arts Council England (outdoor performance, cultural infrastructure, participation); Trusts and foundations supporting heritage and learning‑focused capital projects (Garfield Weston Foundation, Wolfson Foundation, Clore Duffield Foundation); environmental and geoconservation bodies (Natural England, local Wildlife Trusts, GeoConservation organisations). As part of the implementation phase we would need to take time and investment in exploring developing relationships with organisations of interest. All of this would enable us to do the following: 

1. Liaise with English Heritage on restoration of the Grade II listed features and remove overhanging trees damaging the site.  
2. Level quarry floor and create wheelchair access. 
3. Clean rock faces. This can be integrated into geoconservation teaching and ongoing maintenance facilitated by students. Officially designate the site as a Local Geological Site. 
4. Create a living laboratory collection of labelled hardy ferns. 
5. Create safe access and platform to view the ferns and rock 
6. Install power (sockets, lighting) and wi-fi to facilitate teaching and events. 

What Success Would Look Like

• IMPROVED NSS SCORES: outdoor classroom embedded into degree programmes, such as geology and ecology, giving students authentic experience of geoconservation and ex-situ conservation 
• NATIONAL RECOGNITION: Outcrops in the quarry and gorge designated as a Local Geological Site (LoGS) and the fernery gains RHS Plant Collection Status 
• CREATION OF AN OUTDOOR EVENT SPACE: the upper platform would lend itself to Shakespearean type productions, can be used by student societies and also as an external income stream for the university 
• EXPANSION OF WEDDING EVENT PORTFOLIO: can be hired out as an intimate wedding, theatre and music venue 
• CREATION OF A SIGNIFICANT CULTURAL & HISTORIC ASSET: the amphitheatre is recognised as a unique cultural and heritage space within the region, contributing to Keele’s identity and civic profile, attracting regional and national interest as an exemplar of how historic landscapes can be reactivated for learning, performance and public engagement. There is potential for this to be part of Keele’s new Creative Industries Portfolio.