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Student Life

Magazines, society records, photographs and alumni papers describe the activities pursued by students outside the classroom and laboratory. These include Rag Week events, sports, and the performance of music or drama.

The 'Chickerah', a mascot bird of uncertain origins, had its hay day in Rag weeks of the 1950s. In addition to the procession of floats, students undertook charity raising activities as varied as bicycle polo and even a pyjama-clad hitch-hike to Dublin.

The annual College Rag Week first happened in 1924, and Carnival rapidly became a regular feature of student life. It raised thousands of pounds for local charities and complemented the practical work of the student community action programme.

Team photographs in the archives record students who pursued active sports, such as cross country running, football, tennis, hockey, rowing, lacrosse, squash and shooting.

Nottingham University has a long tradition of student drama and musical performance. Productions such as 'Aucassin and Nicolete' (1926) by the Nottingham Student Players included members of staff in the cast.

The Dramatic Society (DramSoc) was formally established in 1927, and continued with regular productions into the 1980s.

Further sources relating to this subject area are held by Manuscripts and Special Collections at King's Meadow Campus. See our website for information about our collections and catalogues.