- .£300-a-ticket Trinity Ball famous end of term event
- .Wealthy scions leave in the early hours staggering in streets
- .Ball first held in 1838
- .Students enjoyed unlimited champagne and oysters at the party
As some of Britain’s most elite students, they are the country’s leaders and thinkers of tomorrow.
But for one night a year, Cambridge students let loose at the famous Trinity May Ball.
And as the sun came up this morning, throngs of the young and wealthy students staggered through the streets of the charming city following the lavish bash.
The occasion is notorious for giving the young revellers a chance to get hopelessly drunk and frolic in the streets as they celebrate the end of their exams.
Dressed to the nines: Three students strolled home from the famous event, which was first ever held in 1838
A classy affair: Students look fresh and almost immaculate as they make their way home after attending the famous May Ball celebrations in Cambridge
On to the next one! Undergraduates traditionally celebrate the end of the academic year by dancing the night away on the river or over a boozy breakfast
But this year, some were still immaculately dressed and seemed relatively sober after enjoying a night of entertainment.
Wearing dinner jackets, top hats and glamorous floor-length dresses, hordes of students teetered home arm-in-arm following the £300-a-ticket event and prepared to carry on the celebrations with drunken punt rides on the River Cam or breakfast in college gardens.
In great spirits: Students made their way home from the £215 ticketed ball, where they enjoyed a five-course meal
Still dressed to impress: Wearing dinner jackets and top hats and glamorous floor-length dresses, hordes of students teetered home arm-in-arm following the event
Gone punting: The May Ball traditionally culminates in a full English breakfast and smoked salmon bagels in the college gardens alongside the banks of the River Cam
Love's young dream: Two students strolled home arm in arm, the girl even removed her shoes en route
But the event did prove a little too much for some who were seen looking worse for wear face down in the gutters of Cambridge.
One reveller even managed to get a wine glass stuck in his shoe and was wheeled away by the ambulance team.
The student was in agony as St. John's Ambulance staff pushed him away, the stem of the glass clearly visible on the sole of his shoe.
Elsewhere, dishevelled party-goers staggered through the streets as the all-night Trinity May Ball - with tickets £150-a-head - ended at 6am.
One was seen stumbling headfirst to the pavement while another was barely dressed with his white shirt open to the waist.
Another stooped to pick up a champagne bottle left on the street for one final drink.
Others made their way home clutching novelty props and what booze they had managed to salvage from the party.
Merrily, merrily: Many students celebrated after the end-of-term party by taking punt rides
River party: The students carried on the celebrations into the early hours on the riverside
Taking it easy: Students could tuck in to oysters, hand-made crepes, a hog roast and a cascading chocolate fountain, while drinks were served from a floating punt on the river
The lavish black tie ball is the biggest event of the Cambridge student social calendar and marks the end of their exams.
Guests were treated to a lavish five-course meal served in Trinity Great Hall, followed by music and dancing.
Students could tuck in to oysters, hand-made crepes, a hog roast and a cascading chocolate fountain, while drinks were served from a floating punt on the river.
This year's sold-out bash was headlined by rapper Example and Swedish dance DJs Basehunter.
It featured a booming fireworks display which lit up Trinity College for more than an hour.
Toff their heads: Worse for wear young men make their way home after the famous event and protect their eyes from the bright morning light with a pair of sunglasses
Watch your step! One reveller seemingly trips on the curb and face plants into the gutter
Ouch! A student has a wine glass stuck in his foot as he is wheeled from the party
Nice accessory: A young man managed to get a wine glass stuck in his foot as he enjoyed the party
Just chilling: Two students chilled out on a wall while other wealthy scions left in the early hours staggering in the streets
Accesorise all areas: Others appeared to have acquired various props on their jaunt, some carried swords, whilst others trekked home with full-length mirrors
The ball has been held every year apart from 1910 when King Edward VII died and between 1939 and 1945 during the Second World War.
The first one was held in 1838 when 38 Trinitarians happily drank their way through 47 bottles of champagne, 12 of sherry, six of Mosel, two of Claret, six quarts of ale and 16 huge servings of punch at a post-race dinner at the Hoop Inn.
Neighbouring Jesus College and Clare Colleges held their summer balls on the same evening.
And Queens College's May Ball will be held tonight - complete with a new bridge over the River Cam for the lavish do.
A Cambridgeshire Constabulary spokesman today said: 'We had extra officers on patrol in the city over the weekend but the celebrations were largely peaceful and there were no incidents of any note.'
A spokeswoman for Cambridge University said the ball had been a success with no complaints or problems reported.
Trinity May Ball is held on the first Monday of May Week, which, despite the month in the title, always takes place in June after exams.
No comments:
Post a Comment