The 5th of March brought what many of the members of St Chad’s consider to be the social pinnacle of the year, St Chad’s Day, which forces the pens to be put down and the laptops to be shut for one day just before the Easter break.

As is customary, the day began with a Bailey parade around the other colleges within the historic city walls. Despite the local constabulary making an early morning visit and delaying festivities by an hour, College still awoke early to a short drinks reception before setting off.

As the rabble of horns and pots and pans approached the sore heads of Hatfield, you couldn’t help but feel only pity, as they had just finished their Lion in Winter Ball celebrations the night before. The parade then proceeded to Castle, John’s and finally Cuth’s before returning to main college for a very green breakfast. I can gladly report our Senior Man fended off all opposition in the traditional speed-drinking competition against each JCR President, although J₂O at that time in the morning was somewhat nausea-inducing, apparently.

After the green coloured breakfast, the College convened at the Cathedral for the annual St Chad’s Day Service. Representatives of various aspects of college life placed items to represent their them on the altar, after which followed readings, hymns and reflection on both the College and the part it plays in the lives of everyone associated with it. A special thank you must be extended to everyone for their musical contributions!

The race around the Palace Green at 12 noon was won by David Fairbairn, who now has the honour of dressing as the College goat mascot for the next year.

The early afternoon of Chad’s Day normally provides a lull in an otherwise frantic day, however, the Social Committee had brought some pandemonium to the back garden with the addition of a Holi Festival-style powder paint party shortly after lunch. Once everyone was dusted off, the evening’s festivities began with Family fortunes, Take Me Out and Mr & Mrs Chad’s taking place in the Quad. Our new Mr and Mrs Chad’s are Ollie Griffiths and Helena Morgan – congratulations!

As everyone tucked into their evening meal, the College was transformed once again, with Laser Quest and a ball pit appearing in the back garden, a photo booth in the front foyer and a silent disco in the Quad.

The disco went on until the early hours of the morning, resulting in a very poorly attended breakfast the next day, a sign of another successful Chad’s Day! Roll on 2017!