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Falkner Eggington Courts (Falk-Egg) is a Hall of Residence accommodating 600 students at Loughborough University, Loughborough, Leicestershire, United Kingdom, it is located on the 'central park' of the University's vast campus.
Design and construction
Situated on the south eastern edge of the campus adjoining Forest Road, on open ground formally known as Towles Field, construction began in 1969-70 of Falkner Eggington Courts, self-catering accommodation for over 570 students. Consisting of red brick ‘sets’, and not unlike a housing estate in appearance, Falk Egg was constructed in 3 phases:
Phase One E13-25 and F19-36 (including the currently "best flat" F21) completed by October 1971
Phase Two E 1-12, E26- 34 and F4-18, F37-39 completed by October 1972
Phase Three F1, 2 & 3 completed by October 1973
John Davies, the then Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, officially opened them on 2nd October 1972.
The office and mailroom were originally located in a port-a-cabin in the car park, in 1972 they were housed in F39 1, 2 and 3 and by 1973 they had their purpose built facility which we know today.
Falkner Eggington Court was originally designed for postgraduate and final year students. The first cohorts of ‘Freshers’ appeared in 1993 and today they account for over two third of the students in occupation. Falk Egg has always been a community where a unique mix of cultures cohabits which is reflected with strong links to the International Students Association (ISA).
History
Falkner Eggington Court derived its name from two former pioneers of the college. Both were respected 'characters' who in diverse ways had a bearing influence on the development of the University, as we know it today.
Alfred Thomas Eggington was born in Ibstock, Leicestershire and received his early training at the Market Bosworth Grammar School. Obtaining a scholarship to the Imperial College of Science and Technology, he gained a first class Degree in Chemistry whilst there he also took a B.Sc. with Honours at the University of London (then he saw sense and thought I'm making a hall at loughborough). He further qualified for the Associateship of the Institute of Chemistry and was elected a fellow of the Chemical Society of London. After a distinguished academic career, on leaving College he joined the staff of Sir William Borlase School, Marlow, as Science and Mathematical master and Senior House Master.
After four years at the school he joined up with the Forces at the outbreak of the war in 1914, and proceeded at once to France, where he was attached to the Canadian Division as a member of the special section working on gas bombs for defensive measures. Here he had the honour to be a member of the first RE Company carrying out a Gas Offensive. By 1915 he was given a Commission; in September 1916 he was made Second Commander and mentioned in Dispatches; and awarded the Military Cross. In October 1918 he was attached to the staff of the 14th Division as Education Officer, and promoted to Captain.
After demobilisation he was persuaded by the then Principle Herbert Schofield to take the vacant Headmastership of the Junior Technical School, a post which he took up on November 1919. The school was run by Herbert Schofield as a department of the College and frequently turned to ‘Eggs’, as he was affectionately known, for advice. They gradually became firm friends and in later years they went every Saturday to the cinema regardless apparently of the film which was showing.
‘Eggs’ entered with enthusiasm into many of the activities of the college being a very keen athlete and was a prominent figure in the College Dramatic Society becoming Chairman in 1922 and remained closely associated with it until his retirement.
He remained as Headmaster for some thirty-three years, until his retirement in December 1952. Under the inspiring leadership of its Headmaster, the school played no small part in the development of the College. After retirement Eggington became Mayor of Loughborough where he was known as the ‘Boss’.
Harold E. Falkner joined the college in August 1935. During the inter war period the then Principle Herbert Scofield had for sometime realised the growing importance of aviation and was determined to carve out a share in the training of aeronautical engineers for the college. He realised his ambition with the foundation in August 1935 of a new department, where Falkner was appointed as Senior Lecturer, and with the introduction, in the following month, of a full-time diploma course in Aeronautical Engineering. The first such course in a technical college in this country, The Daily Mail described it as ‘unique to British Education’.
The wartime years marked the temporary absence of Falkner who rejoined the Royal Air Force as a Flying Officer. Returning from the war as Wing Commander, he was thereafter commonly referred to in the college as ‘Wing-Co’.Arriving back at Loughborough he became head of the Aeronautical Engineering Department. In 1952 he played a key role as chairman of the committee which oversaw the creation of Loughborough College of Technology and was Acting Principle for it’s first year.
Notable Alumni
*Monty Panesar - England Cricketer and Cognito regular
*Ben Kay - World Cup winning England rugby player
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