Our history: 1970s

In the 1970s, college social life began to blossom.

Central Hall was the venue for The Who, The Kinks, Fairport Convention, John Martyn, Ian Dury and the Blockheads, Hot Chocolate, Humphrey Littleton, Acker Bilk, Paul Tortelier, Julian Bream, John Williams and others.

Paul and Linda McCartney appeared one day out of the blue with their new band "Wings" and performed a concert in Goodricke College Dining Room.

Key people

Lord James, Vice-Chancellor (1960 to 1973)
Dr Morris Carstairs, Vice-Chancellor (1973 to 1978)
Professor Berrick Saul, Vice-Chancellor (1979 to 1993)
Lord Clarke, Chancellor (1967 to 1978)
Lord Swann, Chancellor (1979 to 1990)

Students' Union Presidents

John Randall (1969/70)
Nigel Strange (1970/71)
Kevin Heymann (1971/72)
Steve Sheppard (1972/73)
Mike Mosley (1973/74)
Paul Hodges (1974/75)
John Roberts (1975/76)
Richard Burden (1976/77)
Phil Harris (1977/78)
Andy Lovelady (1978/79)
Mike Barnes (1979/80)

Left to right: Dr Morris Carstairs, Professor Berrick Saul and Lord Swann

1970s in pictures

Races, Roses and Rosencrantz

Clubs and societies thrived, including the Winnie the Pooh Society, and the "Turf Club" which met regularly to go to the races. And despite the fact that sports facilities consisted of just two playing fields, two squash courts and the sports hall, the annual "Roses" varsity event with Lancaster attracted hundreds of spectators.

Up to 600 students competed at the inter-college sports day. The Drama Society was prolific and at a festival in June 1972 produced six plays in one month: Much Ado About Nothing; Shakespeare's Farewell; The Bacchae; Uncle Vanya; Rosencrantz and Gildenstern Are Dead and Private Lives.

In 1973 the University provided a computerisation results service for the RAC Rally. It placed a fast printing terminal and a VDU in the Rally Headquarters at the Royal Station Hotel. Results were sent to the Rally HQ via PO lines and then to the Rally control points to give both competitors and spectators the latest news of the event.

Next decade

Explore the 1980s