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Blackfriars Hall > Winter Living Guide for Residents

Winter Living Guide for Residents

This guide brings together practical winter-living advice specifically for residents of Blackfriars Hall, along with accurate information on who is responsible for gritting pavements and roads in central Oxford.

Keeping Warm and Comfortable

  • Use heating sensibly. Keep radiators on a steady, moderate setting rather than switching them on and off. Please also refer to our instructions on using the heating systems in our properties, and the Hall policies governing these systems.
  • Close windows properly. Even a small gap can let in a lot of cold air.
  • Layer clothing. Warm socks, jumpers, and blankets help you stay comfortable without relying solely on heating.
  • Keep internal doors closed. This helps retain heat in your room and shared spaces.

Looking After Your Room

  • Reduce condensation by opening your window briefly each morning.
  • Avoid drying clothes directly on radiators. Use drying racks and ventilate the room. Drying clothes directly on radiators may cause them to break.
  • Report maintenance issues early, especially heating or damp concerns.
  • Don’t block radiators. This reduces their efficiency.

Safety in Winter

  • Use only approved heaters.
  • Candles are forbidden in our Accommodation.
  • Take care on icy pavements outdoors, and keep to the cleared paths on-site.

Local Authority Gritting Responsibilities

  • Local authorities grit priority routes such as main roads, bus routes, and key pedestrian areas between November and April depending on weather and ice alerts:
    • These include city centre (Cornmarket, High Street, St Aldate’s, Queen Street, etc.), roads to the train and bus stations, and key shopping areas and cycle routes.

Health and Wellbeing

Winter can be physically demanding and emotionally draining. Blackfriars Hall recommends you to:

  • Stay hydrated and eat well – a warm meal and plenty of water can keep you energised for your studies.
  • Get daylight when possible – the lack of sunlight and keeping cooped up during the winter months can affect our moods. Even though it’s cold, be sure to get outside during the day to help support your mental health.
  • Reach out if you need support – Blackfriars Hall has a devoted welfare support team available to help you through the cold months if you’re struggling. Try and schedule time with friends too: a hot cup of tea with flatmates can do a world of good.

Shared Living Tips

It’s during the winter months, when everyone is staying close to home, that it is most important to be a considerate housemate.

  • Keep communal areas tidy and free from tripping hazards – some residents will prefer to use the common spaces in our houses to work and socialise when outside can be treacherous. Be sure to clean up after yourself and any guests so that everyone can use these spaces.
  • Be considerate with noise – deadlines still exist over the colder months, so please respect that residents may need a quiet work environment in the houses when everyone is spending more time around the accommodation.
  • Close doors behind you to retain heat – everyone has different temperature tolerances, and keeping the doors closed will ensure that heat in common areas can be retained for other residents. It is a sustainable practice to increase energy efficiency.

Practical Winter Reminders

  • Know the heating schedule in your building – this is set in line with our heating policies.
  • Plan for travel delays – winter conditions mean that public transport may be running late, but with icy paths and streets you should also take your time and be careful.
  • Save emergency contacts – save the details of the Hall welfare officers, emergency services, and the accommodation Junior Deans.