Daphne Franks, as she was as a student, studied her undergraduate degree in Sociology at Nottingham, graduating in 1954. She then went on to take her PGCE in Education and to become the first woman to hold the position of Students' Union President outside of wartime. Her tenure from 1954-55 saw her helping to design the Portland Building as a dedicated space on campus where students could come together. The building remains the hub of student life and the home of the Students’ Union to this day.
Daphne met her future husband, Clive Priestley (History, 1956; MA History 1958), at Nottingham, he was even her successor as SU President!
Daphne’s OBE was awarded in 1996 in recognition of her extensive years of service for the West Berkshire Magistracy (as Chair for five years and serving JP for 31 years, from 1968-1999) and her work for Thames Valley Policy Authority between 1981 and 1999, where she was Vice-Chairman in 1993 and Chairman for five years (1994-99). A great focus was the principle of restorative justice, which she championed with Sir Charles Pollard, Chief Constable of Thames Valley Police, 1991-2002.
Daphne last visited the University in April 2014 as part of the centenary celebrations for the Students’ Union, fittingly meeting Ellie McWilliam who was President in the centenary year. For International Women’s Day 2018, Daphne was part of an exhibition featuring 14 photographic portraits of inspiring Women with a connection to Nottingham and the University. Her portrait remains on display in our Monica Partridge Building, named after Nottingham’s first female Professor.