There is a recuring theme whereby your RCS Association saves heirlooms and traditions that relate to the Royal College of Science. A little lower down this page, we’ve put together a rather impressive list. And the list isn’t even exhaustive!
Today, we announce the addition of three new items to this list – the reinstatement of three Union-Bar-centric heirlooms:
Brass coat hooks
The brass coat hooks by the side door of the bar were removed in 1989 in a misguided attempt to install a gambling machine in that space. Widespread opprobrium meant the machine was soon removed, but the hooks were never replaced and have been sorely missed ever since. Well….. being forced to dump your coats on the floor of the bar is a thing of the past. We have reinstated the coat hooks to bring back a little of pre-1990’s luxury. (But remember, there were thieves about in the 80s and there are still thieves today, so take care with any valuables).
Iconic Photograph
Less than a decade ago, for the 60th anniversary of the Bar, Imperial’s Archivist, Anne Barrett, selected six iconic photographs that were duly mounted and hung on the oak panels bringing a touch a class and history to the bar decorations. But one frame fell apart. It deteriorated further whilst being temporarily stored and, inevitably, was lost forever. But it has been painstakingly recreated by our president, Mike Munroe (who has become a bit of an authority on picture framing). Mike has chosen a traditional oak mounting that resembles the original frames, but is actually rather an improvement on them. The photograph shows a thickly ivy-clad Union Building with only two storeys, just as it was in the 1930s prior to the additional storeys being added in 1957. Fantastic to have that photo back on display.
Glass Stiefel
The so-called ‘ephemera’ behind the Bar is actually, rather permanent. Several items were present in the old bar and some even date to the first opening of the bar in 1910. But it is rare for fragile glass items to survive for more than a few decades. And so it was with the glass Stiefel or ‘Heineken Boot‘. The RSM original is captured in a photo of the old bar in 1954, but could be quite a lot older. The RCSU Motor Club acquired another identical Steifel in 1985 on an outing to Holland. For many years there were two Stiefel’s in the Bar, used alternately, but they were broken in 2009 and 2018 respectively. Very sad, but you can now wipe away those years. After years of searching, the RCSA have found a replacement and, once again we have a wonderful two-litre glass Stiefel on display behind the Bar.
We’d like to sincerely thank all our members for supporting these initiatives, and to especially thank outgoing RCSU President, Jack Swires, and incoming Motor Club Chair, Callum Marshall. Callum is shown in the photo above, proudly showing off the aforementioned coat hooks and framed photograph.
A quick run-through those earlier achievements, as promised……
- Remade the seat of Jezebel. RCSA helps the “bottom line” for Jez and RCS Motor Club!!
- Rescued the Union Bar table (made from the original 1910 bar top) from falling to pieces. RCSA Saves the Day
- Saved the RCSU Presidential Jacket from the rag and bone man. Another Heirloom Saved
- Recreated and restored the RCS War Memorial. 2024 Memorial Restoration Fund
- Repaired dozens of broken bar-stools Supporting Students (quite literally!)
- Cleaned and refurbished the Motor Club’s firemen tunics,
- Brought back into existence the Sparkes Cup inter-CCU competition. Sparkes Cup 2026 and Semmence Cup 2026: results
- Recreated and put on sale the full range of RCS ties. Shop
- Set up a trust fund for Jezebel. Announced: The Derek J. Toms Fund for Jezebel
- and we are in the middle of an amazing project: rebuilding Jezebel’s original radiator.
It’s quite a list, and that brings us to our perpetual appeal for members and donations…….
(If you approve of the support we offer to our students and to the traditions of Imperial College, why not help us do more? You should definitely sign up for RCSA membership here, and your annual subscription will be a great help. And consider making a donation to the RCSA Trust here….. With no paid staff and no building costs you can be assured that every penny of your donation will be gratefully received and faithfully applied to assist the students of the Royal College of Science).
You could donate any amount you wish, but why not donate £100 right now?