Picture the scene: my flatmates and I in our living room, scrolling through Instagram and chortling at the various welly-related captions as we lounge amongst cups of stewed tea and chunks of birthday cake that some kind soul brought to pres the night before. Popping paracetamol and deciding between eggs or crumpets, we have the obligatory debrief. It’s unanimous: we all had a fantastic time at the Welly Ball after-party.
Upon arrival, the venue looked beautiful and was filled with an excited buzz. We checked our coats and bounded down into the main area, where dinner guests, fuelled by what I hear was a very tasty meal, welcomed us newcomers to the après-scran fiesta with warm enthusiasm. Everyone looked extremely dapper and we were very pleased to note that being full up was holding no one back from throwing a shape or two.
The DJs, Max Dupa, biglöts and our very own home-grown Ashton Squires, played a crowd-pleasing variety of dance tunes and sing-along cheese ballads. Though the hype line “the bad news is we only have half an hour left…but the good news is WE HAVE HALF AN HOUR LEFT!” perhaps needed a little refining, it was instantly forgiven as the first few notes of High School Musical’s “Breaking Free” blasted from speakers and mouths and battered our nostalgic ears.
Whenever a disco break was required, which it often was due to the hustling bustling business of the main area, we slipped through into the next room and enjoyed a little breathing space, twinkling overhead lights, and a spot of light-hearted tweedy flirtation.
We were impressed with the general organisation of the event: when we needed hydration or sustenance, it didn’t take too long to get to a replenishing bar or food station; when we needed the loo, the lines were not overwhelmingly long (though a little chilly on the exposed knee); and when it was time to collect our outerwear and shoot off, the people working the coat check were friendly and efficient. The committee did an excellent job this year.
In between the slurping, snacking and sighing of the following morning, we agreed that the £29 was indeed worth it. Moreover, all the money raised from this event will go to the Charlie Waller Memorial Trust, which funds mental health training for GPs across the UK, works to support parents and carers, and provides mental health resources to schools and universities. Last year the committee donated over £22,500, and having bumped up the price of tickets, I reckon this year will be even more successful. A great event, and money raised for a great cause: what more could you want from an evening?
If you would like to find out more about the Charlie Waller Memorial Trust or the work they do with Welly Ball’s donations, please visit their website at this link.