Bench to honour Jeff Burley

A new bench was unveiled on Wednesday 25 January at the Tiny Forest in the grounds of Littlemore Mental Health Centre planted thanks to support from college members as part of the Fellowship Appeal 2020: Climate Change Imperative. It honours the life and work of Professor Jeffery Burley (1936-2021) who was a much-loved member of the college community, a former Vice Warden of then-Green College and a member of the Sustainability Working Group until his death.

Jean Burley at the bench unveiling

Jeff’s widow Jean Burley was joined by representatives of the college including Sustainability Working Group Chair and Governing Body Fellow Professor Paul Klenerman, past GCR President Acheampong Atta-boateng, Honorary Fellow Paul Brankin, Emeritus Fellow Professor Derek Jewell, Bursar Dr Tim Clayden and Associate Fellow Geoff Lye who facilitated the forest initiative and the bench installation.

Geoff said,

‘I was delighted to arrange this tribute to Jeff – especially one which reflects his lifelong passion so well. He would have especially approved of the bench’s construction which was made entirely from naturally fallen oak trees.’