Formal dinners are central to the many traditions which many colleges including Trevs, still practiced even with our unique spin on it, such as spoon banging. These monthly to fortnightly dinners have been and continued to be enjoyed by students over many generations.

The debate currently rocking the Trevelyan College student community is whether we should continue the new two-course formal dinner which has started this year, due to rising costs, or continue with tradition of a three-course meal.

Personally I don’t see what all the fuss is about. A three-course meal is only increasing the cost of a two-course formal by £3-4. For the Lunar New Year’s Formal in January 2025, students are paying almost £14 as a liver in and £18 for livers out for a three-course meal. It is a small increase that students are already willing to pay, that potentially will not be that fazed about an extra couple of pounds. Students already spend a copious amounts more money in the numerous clubs on a night out to get a nights entertainment, which formals provide often for less.

I believe that Durham traditions should always be cherished and protected as ultimately that’s part of the appeal. I feel that it is what brings people together and gives particularly Trevelyan its strong sense of community.

Further, a three-course meal would address one complaint that the new two-course meal is too fast and the formal is too short. Adding an extra course would extend the length whilst hopefully slowing the pacing.

Having attended the one three-course formal of Michaelmas term and the two-course formals, I can say I found the Christmas formal meal more sociable and enjoyable compared to the other formals.

Lastly I fear that this measure to replace regular three-course with two-course formals is a slippery slope to eroding the traditions that so many students enjoy. After Covid-19, formals were reduced from an evening affair to a short dinner, so I do have to acknowledge and commend the Services Officers in the JCR for bringing formals back in line with tradition with music performances in the bar afterwards.

Although it would be shortsighted for me to bang on about tradition, without acknowledging the rising costs for students in relation to housing, programme fees, and inflation on food. However, I believe that Durham traditions should always be cherished and protected as ultimately that’s part of the appeal. I feel that it is what brings people together and gives particularly Trevelyan its strong sense of community.

Image: Elliot Burrin