06 THE KNOW
10
1949
Keele
throughout
the years...
The Keele estate
was acquired and
the University
College of North
Staffordshire
was formed.
Born
in
1949
1951
The Queen (latterly known as
the Queen Mother) formally
opened University College
of North Staffordshire.
1950
1980
George Eason became
the first recipient of a
degree from Keele.
1970
Irish supergroup
U2 play at
the Students’
Union.
About 300 Keele
students attempted to
levitate The Clockhouse
using ‘psychic power’.
1979
Last swans
sighted on
Keele lakes.
Government of the
Free Republic of Keele
1980
1970
Early 1980 1993
The Students’ Union Building
was briefly the seat of government
of the Free Republic of Keele,
a sovereign state which unilaterally
declared its independence in 1980. Britpop legends Blur play
at the Students’ Union.
Late 1980
Department of Postgraduate
Medicine is inaugurated.
1988
Roald Dahl awarded
an Honorary Degree.
1990
2000
Early 1985 2001
The main bar in the Students’ Union
is named ‘Nelson Mandela Bar’ in
support of the Free Nelson Mandela
movement. Proposals were put forward
by the University Arts
Committee to set up an
arboretum at Keele. The
Arboretum is now a popular
attraction on campus and home
to the National Collection of
Flowering Cherries.
Late 1985 1990s
The Library clock which was stopped
at 2:35 for most of 1984 starts again! The now legendary raft
races on Keele lake began.