A HISTORY OF THE JUNE BALL
University College was founded in 1832 by the Bishop Van Mildert and became England’s third University. The Castle itself first became home to students in 1837, after it was donated by Van Mildert, and has been home to hundreds of Castlemen ever since. The attraction of being able to live in a 950 year old Heritage site has played a large role in making University College the most popular choice for applicants.
The June Ball has been a Castle tradition and a much-anticipated event for many years. For the Freshman year it is a first time adventure of excitement as they journey through the transformed castle, entering rooms they never knew existed. For finalists it is the culmination of many wonderful years in Durham; thus every year a specially selected committee devotes their time to make that year's ball more spectacular than the last.
Shrouded in mystery, the theme remains a closely guarded secret until guests arrive on the night itself. Previous themes have included 'A Midsummer Nights Dream', 'A Night in Hollywood', 'Around the World in 80 days', 'The West End', 'Rule Britannia', “Live and on Air”, and a ball featuring Greek Mythology.
“Live and on Air” featured many different TV show and sets, a specially recorded ‘June Ball Radio’ station broadcast throughout, and a giant TV screen mounted on the side of the Castle’s Keep. 'A Midsummer Nights Dream' featured dancers, live acts and the Fellows’ Garden which was turned into a magical enchanted garden. 2005’s West End Ball featured dinner at the Ritz, West End musical shows, Hamleys toy shop and a fully turfed room of the Castle masquerading as Hyde Park. Ice rinks, chocolate fountains, frozen yoghurt and swing boats are just some of the plentiful and diverse attractions that guests have been able to experience.
A TRADITION SINCE 1889
The June Ball at University College traces its origins back to the late nineteenth century. It was originally established as part of the ‘June Week’, a group of post-examination events first organised by students in 1889, likely influenced by the ‘May Week’ tradition at Cambridge.
After the First World War, the June Ball disappeared in favour of a smaller dance. It then reappeared in 1928. In the 1930s, the June Ball grew, with an extension granted until 1 am in 1933 and 2 am two years later.
Jazz came to the June Ball in the 1920s and 1930s, with performances by many dance bands. The June Ball programme first recognised the word ‘swing’ in 1946 - which a contemporary in 1949 noted was “a word a great deal slicker than the Castle floor would have led you to suppose possible”.
With the growth of the student population in the post-war period, the June Ball expanded to both the Castle and Town Hall. The 1960s saw performances by a number of now-famous British rock and pop groups, including The Who in 1968.
The later 1960s was also a turning point, at which the June Ball ceased to be a University-wide event. Though the June Week tradition ended in 1968, the Ball has continued on as a cherished University College tradition.
“The June Ball was, in my opinion, the most enjoyable social I have ever attended in Durham. It was most refreshing to see old Castlemen coming back to Durham, lured, as it were, by the Ball. For all those present I am sure it was a suitable high-note on which to end the year. For me it certainly goes a long way in representing what being an undergraduate at Durham is really all about.”
— Steve Whittle, University College Senior Man, in Castellum No. 29 (1975) —
PAST AND PRESENT…
