I have posted a couple of pictures on flickr, the rest of the candlelight vigil pics and some from formals. What are formals? Good question. Hatfield College is one of two colleges (I believe) at Durham Uni that hold formals on a weekly basis, in Hatfield's case, twice weekly. Basically formals are fancy dinners. You dress smartly and are required to wear your academic gown. Guest formals require black tie.
The MCR (postgrads) are reserved a table with the rest of the room being taken up by the JCR (undergrads). There is also a High Table where the Master of the College and Tutors sit. MCR members are also invited to sit at High Table though I have yet to do that.
Each college has their own traditions but our formals kick off with spooning. Basically this is banging your spoon on the table very loudly in different rhythms. Needless to say, there are very few unbattered spoons. All of this comes to a halt when the High Table enters, for which we all stand in silence. Once they have reached their table, the grace is read in Latin and we can then all sit down and enjoy our three course meal (four if it's Guest Formal). During dinner, drinking games can be played since wine can be bought fairly cheaply at the start of formal. The JCR Secretary is in charge of keeping order and can fine you if you break a rule (anything from getting up from the table to being too unruly/drunk). After dessert has been served, the JCR Secretary goes to High Table, silencing the room, and bows to the Master. This is the sign that you are now able to leave the room if you are ready to do so.
