On May Week Sunday students flocked to Murray Edwards College for their ‘Secret Garden’ themed annual Garden Party. The weather was looking dubious with scattered showers throughout the morning. Although no one can be held accountable for the weather, something could have been done to avoid the slow-moving queue. After waiting for over an hour, we were finally in. Looking a little bedraggled the lack of cloakroom added to the stress, and led to a desperate stowing away of wet jackets in strangers’ pigeonholes.

It was time. We headed through to the garden. Was it worth the wait?

The garden looked beautiful, featuring coloured ribbons and veils as well as little touches, including a tree covered in notes which you could write upon. There really was something for everyone: from candyfloss, glitter face-paint and an inflatable assault course for your inner child to the shisha tent, silent disco and photo booth for the Instagram likes. Time flew by as we discovered hidden corners of this ‘Secret Garden’ (unless you spent two hours queuing for the glitter face paint).

The variety of drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, slush and non slush, were good value for the ticket price of £36. The VKs offered a welcome sugar high, and a touch of class. The mac ‘n’ cheese, burgers and cheese toasties did a good job of soaking up the alcohol while we soaked up the atmosphere. The jazz band lured the revellers over to the stage area and within seconds everyone was dancing.
All in all, the evening was undoubtedly a success. Drinks were flowing, everyone was dancing and despite the weather, there were no dampened spirits.