In The Spotlight
Getting a Brazilian, Bristol Style:
The
UBLC Spring Ball
Eloise Pollard shares the Spring Ball committee’s
experience of hosting the biggest social event of the year.
T
wo months, six law students, and over two hundred e-mails.
The Hogan Lovells Spring Ball first began in January when we
nervously met to discuss how to transport seven hundred law students and staff into a tropical, carnival paradise. Little did we know
that the roller-coaster of work and emotion would be the organisation of this event. It was brilliantly entertaining but also soul-destroying. I think it is safe to say that we all felt immensely proud,
relieved, and even a little bit sad when the baby that we had nurtured
for fifty-eight days became a huge success.
It did not quite feel like a normal ball: after spending hours
deciding on entertainment, timing, and positioning, you lose the
‘wow’ factor that Spring Balls normally have. Whilst dealing with
various drunken people, running around for payments, and keeping
the night running smoothly, you would unfortunately miss out on
some of the entertainment, drinking, and dancing. However, the
effort was worthwhile as we all had an amazing time. We could not
have accomplished it with a better group of girls. Danni Palmer was
the best Chair we could have asked for, whilst Bex Glossop, Sarah
Bratton, Becca Bland, and Lauren Webb made the committee truly
special.
To give you a flavour of what it is really like to organise a Spring
Ball, I have compiled a top-ten list of realisations that we were mindful of whilst planning the largest law school event of the year.
1. We really enjoyed working as part of a team. Cooperation makes
everything less stressful.
2. Do not stress over the little things; there is always another solution.
3. Things are a lot more expensive than you can possibly imagine.
4. Taxi (and coach) companies are infuriating. Even if you confirm
with a taxi company that you mean 5:15 PM, they would still turn
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up at 5:15 AM.
5. Last minute tasks always take you longer than you thought they
would.
6. Organising an event involves more time and people than you ever
realised.
7. All the stress is worth it, when everything comes together on the
night and the event turns out better than ever imagined!
8. You can achieve a lot more than you thought possible.
9. There are always hidden costs, beware!
10. Pre-Spring Ball Diets are never successful.
Finally, I asked the other committee members if they could
describe what organising the Spring Ball was like in three words. I
think a recurring theme is apparent.
Danni: “Hectic, Stressful, Exhilarating.”
Bex: “Hilarious, Exciting, Nerve-wracking.”
Sarah: “An amazing experience.”
Lauren: “Challenging, Crazy, Fun.”
Becca: “Hard work pays off… o