The Story of the Waldegrave Silks

For generations, the Waldegrave Suite has been one of the most iconic spaces at St Mary’s — a place where our community has gathered to study, celebrate and make memories. A defining feature of the ballroom has always been its elegant silk-lined walls, a tradition that has shaped the atmosphere of the room since before St Mary's even moved to these grounds.

These silks have formed the backdrop to countless moments: from student dances, Christmas Balls, Cheese & wine parties to formal interviews & wedding celebrations and other milestone events that have brought the community together across the decades. They carry with them the spirit of the students, staff and alumni who have filled the ballroom with laughter, music and friendship.

During the recent restoration of the Waldegrave Suite, the silk panels were removed and replaced with identical new silks, continuing the longstanding tradition of the room’s elegant design.

Though time has naturally touched their surface, their beauty and their connection to generations of student life remain.

For the first time, you can own a piece of this unique tradition.

By donating £30, you will receive a piece of the Waldegrave silks. Your gift will support future heritage restoration across the University, helping to preserve the spaces that have shaped so many lives.

A piece of silk from the Waldegrave Suite is more than fabric — it is a piece of St Mary’s story.