Friday May 18 2012

BBC Headlines:

Can't locate this RSS feed:
http://newsrss.bbc.co.uk/rss/newsonline_uk_edition/front_page/rss.xml 301 Moved Permanently

Moved Permanently

The document has moved here.

KU student saves rent in ambulance home

Send to a friend

Written by Samuel Hemingway

Wednesday, 05 November 2008 18:55

A third year live arts student is bringing his art home with him as he makes a statement against relying on the Government.

A KU student is doing his bit to avoid being credit crunched - by living rent free in an old ambulance for the year in Knights Park car park.

Dickon Stone, a third year live arts student, who bought the ambulance for £1,000, estimates he is saving around £2,000 a term by living there.

The ten-year-old ambulance is not just a home but a statement against people’s reliance on the Government to provide amenities like electricity and water.

“I want to distance myself from being so reliant on the state,” said Dickon. “At the moment the banks are falling to pieces and I feel that I want to be prepared.”

The ambulance itself currently has no supply of electricity or running water. However, Dickon plans to use a combination of solar power and water power to provide him with electricity in the future.

Dickon has also bought a year long gym membership for access to showering facilities and to keep himself fit: “A gym subscription is my only bill for the year. I’m right next to the University and there is no cost to the environment. I get to wake up every morning under the trees and right next to the river, which is wonderful.”

While some might question the legality of living rent free, Dickon knows he is working well within the law.
“I’ve got permission from the University, it’s their private property,” he said. “That is the irony of the project, that I’m doing it in the University car park but in order to escape the machine you’ve got to jump inside it to put a spanner in the works.”

Comments

Only registered users can write comments!

Author of this article: Samuel Hemingway

Show Other Articles Of This Author

Saw V : bloody bored? (04 November 2008)

Video News

Today's Poll

Editor's Blog - read the latest from Farah

News In Brief

Research grants announced

Kingston University last week received a 5.3% increase in its government grant for research and teaching. The Higher Education Funding Council for England announced that Kingston would receive £73.3m in 2009/10. The average national increase was 4%, while a number of universities, including the London School of Economics, saw their funding reduced.

Kingston student named Microsoft 'Intern of the Year'

A Kingston student won Microsoft’s 'Intern of the Year' award after a process he created was used by the computer giant’s worldwide sales force. George Avlastimovas, a Business Information Technology student, came up with a new form for staff requesting bonuses while on a placement as part of his course. He said that the internship gave him “a fantastic opportunity to shape and mould the role to suit my skills.”

Bring your own mug

A money saving scheme has been extended to the Penryhn Road campus. Lecturers and students who bring their own mug to the Picton Room will receive a 5p discount off any hot drink. The scheme, already trialling at Kingston Hill, was introduced in a bid to encourage sustainability and cut back on packaging produced by the university. If successful, it will be extended to all the foodstores.

Cheeky cat in halls

Gorgeous George the cat is much loved and petted by the residents and staff at Middle Mill Halls, but, his cheeky antics have got him into trouble. He can often be found pacing the car park meowing at passers by, lounging in reception or nipping into halls for extra strokes. However, halls management are now concerned that this felicitous feline is breaching the licence and have put up a sign asking students to prevent him sneaking into bedrooms and becoming overfed.

Honorary degree for leading luvvie

One of the leading lights behind the Rose Theatre received an honorary degree from Kingston University last month in the building he helped to create.Robin Hutchinson, 50, worked for over 25 years to bring the theatre to reality. The former director of communications and fundraising for Guide Dogs for the Blind said: “To be recognised by Kingston University was a wonderful honour and to receive it at The Rose was incredibly special.”Click here for more.