{"id":15916,"date":"2026-07-08T10:33:51","date_gmt":"2026-07-08T10:33:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.reading.ac.uk\/connected\/?p=15916"},"modified":"2026-07-08T13:34:27","modified_gmt":"2026-07-08T13:34:27","slug":"cheers-to-100-years-highlights-from-1966-to-1986","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.reading.ac.uk\/connected\/2026\/07\/08\/cheers-to-100-years-highlights-from-1966-to-1986\/","title":{"rendered":"Cheers to 100 Years! Highlights from 1966 to 1986"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

From groundbreaking design and literature, to punk rock and climate science, the two decades between 1966 and 1986 were a period of creativity, innovation and cultural change at the University of Reading.<\/span><\/p>\n

As part of our year-long edition of CONNECTED, celebrating our centenary, we are revisiting defining moments from across the decades. In this edition, we look back at 1966 to 1986 – a time when new halls of residence expanded student life, Typography became a world-leading discipline, Samuel Beckett’s legacy found a home at Reading, Europe’s weather forecasting expertise arrived in Berkshire, and the Sex Pistols brought the spirit of punk to campus.<\/p>\n

We discover some of the people, places and events that helped shape the University during these transformative years and hear from Reading alumni who studied with us during this time.<\/p>\n

Did you know?… <\/strong><\/h4>\n

Did you know? <\/strong>In 1967, Sibly Hall opened in Earley as one of the University\u2019s mixed halls. And Childs Hall, named after the University\u2019s first Vice-Chancellor, William Macbride Childs, opened on Whiteknights Campus as a men\u2019s hall of residence.<\/p>\n

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Sibly Hall. University of Reading, Special Collections. UHC PH3\/6\/4\/1<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Childs Hall, University of Reading, Special Collections. UHC PH3_6_1_5<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Today, <\/strong>Childs Hall provides modern self-catered, study-bedrooms. Although the original building was replaced in 2012, due to ageing infrastructure, Childs Hall still remains a central part of Whiteknights Campus.<\/p>\n

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Childs Hall, University of Reading<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Did you know? <\/strong>In 1968, Degrees in Typography and Graphic Communication<\/a> were ratified, the popularity of these courses resulted in the opening of a full Typography and Graphic Communication \u00a0Department in 1974.<\/p>\n

Today,<\/strong> \u2018design for reading\u2019 continues to thrive in a department internationally renowned for its research and teaching excellence. Our graduates have gone on to design typefaces used for mobile phones throughout India, and in dictionaries and schoolbooks at Oxford University Press.<\/p>\n

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Did you know? <\/strong>In 1971, a signification exhibition on Samuel Beckett was held at Reading, led by Professor James Knowlson, Beckett\u2019s friend and official biographer.<\/p>\n

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University of Reading Special Collection: UHC CO10\/1\/273<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Today,<\/strong> the exhibition led to the establishment of the Beckett Collection<\/a> here at the University, which is now the world’s largest collection of items relating to the Nobel Prize-winning playwright.<\/p>\n

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Did you know? <\/strong>In 1973, Wells Hall opened as another mixed off-campus residence in Upper Redlands Road.<\/p>\n

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University of Reading Special Collections. UHC PH3\/6\/12\/3<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Today,<\/strong> 15 halls of residence are located either on Whiteknights or within 15 minutes walk of the campus.<\/p>\n

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Whiteknights Campus – Bridges and Wessex Halls in the foreground.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n



Did you know? <\/strong>In 1975, the Department of Typography was opened.<\/p>\n

Today<\/strong>, the department is internationally renowned for both its research and teaching excellence. Our graduates have gone on to design the masthead of the Guardian newspaper and the iconic Penguin Clothbound Classics covers.<\/p>\n

Hear from our alumni and students about how this department has shaped their careers and creativity:<\/strong><\/p>\n