Thumping house music emanating from the Vic marked the first event of the St Andrews social calendar. With two rooms bedecked in balloons, several pairs of wellies spotted on the dancefloor and some of the town’s best fashion on show, the Welly Ball launch event truly kicked off the year with a bang and acted as the perfect method of (re-)introducing freshers and returning students alike to the atmosphere cultivated by the UK’s largest black-tie dinner and one of St Andrew’s best parties. After a summer away from town, it was the perfect introduction back to the social scene, providing a chance to reconnect with old friends before plunging straight into Freshers’ Week.
Source: Renzo Olivieri
Importantly, Welly Ball’s charitable mission was never far from sight despite the revelry of the launch party, with stickers littering the tables displaying the logo of the Charlie Waller Trust, a mental health charity for young people. Prior to the event, members of the Welly Ball committee had been stationed outside the Vic all day, raising awareness of their partnership with the Trust and asking students to share their own mental health tips.
The attendees’ outfits presented a helpful what to wear for the rest of the first week of term in St Andrews. With an array of bold choices – mini dresses fit for a cocktail party, sequinned skirts, outlandish bucket hats and lingerie-style tops – the launch party acted as a valuable form of style inspiration for upcoming events for those unsure of the latest student fashion trends, especially with Starfields right around the corner.
Source: Renzo Olivieri
Having been to events at the Vic last year where it was almost impossible to move, Welly Ball seemed to strike the balance right in terms of numbers. With the Vic’s two rooms open, no dancefloor was ever too crowded, giving the attendees adequate space to boogie the night away with their friends, yet the rooms were always busy. The queues at the two bars were fast-moving and the usual line outside the girls’ bathroom was notably absent – a marked improvement from other times at the Vic where the constant waiting has put a damper on the atmosphere of the event.
One of the best parts of the event had to be the music. In the more intimate setting of the social club’s side room, Harry Vyvyan-Robinson catered to those with a taste for bass-driven remixes, whilst in the main room BPM’s DJs served up crowd pleasers and pop anthems from the noughties and 2010s, including favourites from Rihanna and Fergie. With such a wide range of musical offerings from different genres, the event ensured that there were tracks for everyone to enjoy.
Source: Renzo Olivieri
The committee are excited to announce that the ball will be taking place on the 5th of November at Falside Mill, a venue previously used by the likes of VS and Don’t Walk. After Kinkell Byre has hosted the event for the past few years, it will be interesting to see how Welly Ball will adapt to the new space of Falside Mill, adding their signature flair and sophistication to an often-overlooked venue.
Emily Goggin, Director of Marketing at Welly, shared that they are “really looking forward to hosting another incredible event to raise money for the Charlie Waller Trust” for the “ninth year running”, which they hope will continue to make “a positive impact on St. Andrews students”. As a preview to perhaps the most anticipated social highlight of the semester, Welly Ball 2022, the launch party successfully gave revellers a taste of what is to come.
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