Unsafe castle partly shut forcing uni to go online

A Sussex castle says it has suspended all its operations due to structural issues, forcing a university college to move most of its classes online.

Herstmonceux Castle Estate said it recently learned about “a number of structural issues at the castle requiring immediate attention”, including repairs to the south wall of the building.

The Canadian Queen's University, which runs Bader College at the castle, said the building was "unsafe" and students would be returning Ontario to continue their studies in January.

The castle is also used as a venue for weddings and other events.

The castle posted on its website: “Portions of the castle have closed to ensure the health and safety of students, staff, and faculty.”

A structural engineer visited the site and confirmed the situation was “more serious than previously understood”, the castle added.

Work is due to take "at least 12-18 months".

A survey of other areas of the castle is set to be undertaken in late January or early February.

Herstmonceux Castle says: “We realise this may be distressing news for many within the local community, and those with close ties to Bader College and the castle”.

Queen’s University’s provost, Matthew Evans, said: “[The castle] is judged to be unsafe”.

He said the college was "very disappointed" to be asking students to return to Canada before the end of their acadamic year at Bader College.

"It is not something we would have wanted to do and it has impacted those students who are staying in and around the castle for the full year.”

About 150 students attend Bader College.

The university has reimbursed students for additional costs as well as half the price of their accommodation.

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