Wessex Hall

Wessex Hall is the third oldest hall at the University of Reading. It was founded in 1913 as a women only hall on Redlands Road where it consisted of a number of large houses in a beautiful setting of lawns and gardens. The hall moved to its current location - a large purpose-built building (on the edge of the Whiteknights Campus next to Whiteknights Lake) in 1965 (the Royal Berkshire Hospital now occupies the original site), and in 1977 Wessex began admitting male students and it is now a fully mixed-sex hall. In 2005 Wessex became a self-catering hall and all the kitchens were refurbished. It now provides self-catering accommodation for approximately 200 students in single study bedrooms, each with a wash hand basin.
Location
It is situated on the edge of Whiteknights Campus, between the Whiteknights Lake and Bridges Hall. Foxhill House (the Law School), Childs Hall, and the Art & Typography departments are all nearby.
The address is Wessex Hall, Whiteknights Road, Reading, Berkshire. RG6 6BQ
Facilities
* White Horse Bar (with pool table & TVs)
* JCR common room with digital TV
* Games room (with table tennis)
* Library/Study Room
* Computer room
* Laundry
* Large dining room (used for formals and other events)
Junior Common Room
The JCR committee are elected annually by the residents of Wessex Hall. There is a President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, Welfare Reps, Social Reps, Sports Reps, Facilities Rep and Website Rep.
Traditions
Hall Colours and Emblem
The hall colours are green and white and the emblem is a stylized white horse on a green background (as depicted on the hall flag and also on the hall polo shirts/hoodies).
Flag
The Wessex flag is traditionally flown every year in honour of the first student in the hall to be awarded a first class degree. As soon as a final student in the hall is awarded a 1st this is verified by the Warden and then the flag can be raised.
Motto
The hall motto is in anglo-saxon but translates as 'Others have prevailed, so may I'
Formals
There are usually three hall formals every year: Freshers, Christmas, and Easter. Students wear dresses and suits/tuxedos to these events and dinner is normally provided. The formals are held either in the hall itself (in the large dining room and adjacent bar) or in various locations in and around Reading.
Summer Informal
Another tradition of the hall is to have an annual 'summer informal' which is an all day event involving a barbecue, bouncy castle, badminton and silly games. It is great fun for all the residents.
Sport
The hall has its own football team which competes in matches against the other Reading halls. Residents are also permitted to use the tennis court and squash court at Bridges Hall (which is just next door. The nearest gym is at Palmer Park (less than a 10 minute walk) and the University gym and sports hall is a 15 minute walk away.
Hall Rivals
The main rival of Wessex Hall is the neighbouring Bridges Hall and football matches between the two halls are taken very seriously and 'grudge matches' are often held.
Wardens
The Warden (also known as 'Senior Resident Tutor') is responsible for discipline and welfare in the hall and resides in a house adjacent to the hall.

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