4 December 2013

Do you know how to reel? The University Lodges' Ball

Its been nearly two weeks now that a group of my friends and I went to the University Lodges' Ball and I thought it was about time I blogged about it. Not just because it was a fantastic night but also because it is an event that, if it ever happens again, I would strongly recommend you go to.


My friend Chlo got us into it; she was the one who suggested we go, she was the one who organized our tickets and who kept us up to date with everything. I don’t know if this is the case for any other group of friends but with mine it often happens that one of us needs to take charge and tell the others what to do in order for something to go from a wishful plan to action/reality.

You might ask yourself: What is the University Lodges' Ball? Well, that is a good question. The Ball was trying to recreate “a time when the Masonic Lodges of the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge staged lavish social events, which were the toast of their respective towns, the Aerice University Lodges' Ball will be a glittering celebration of the Masonic social tradition. Hosted by the University Lodges in conjunction with Freemasons from around London, the 2013 event commemorates the spectacular Ball held 150 years ago by the Apollo University Lodge (Oxford), which celebrated the wedding of the Prince of Wales and Princess Alexandra of Denmark, both of whom attended the event. “

The Ball was hosted at the Honourable Artillery Company’s Armoury House near Old Street in London. Built in 1735, Armoury House is a beautiful period building, which you might have walk past if you have ever been around Moorgate/Old Street (of if you are a member of the Virgin Active in Moorgate, you can enjoy views of their grounds while you hit the treadmill). You can find out more about the HAC and Armoury House on their website.

Not owning a black tie dress meant that I had the perfect excuse to go shopping and after combing the streets of London for a couple of weeks for a floor length dress I finally fell in love with a little navy number from Coast. I wore it with Accessorize earrings and clutch and a navy manicure.





Here are some pictures from the night – I might be slightly biased but I think we make a rather handsome group!














We danced


We reeled, we shot ducks and geese (virtual ones, don’t you worry!), we drank, we ate, and we silent discoed before heading home at 2am with sore feet and big smiles on our faces.

The Ball was not just an excuse for us all to go out and have fun but it also raised some money for charity. All the money raised on the night was be donated to Combat Stress and the Royal College of Surgeons – you can find out more about the great work both of these organisations do on their websites.


The boy couldn't come to the ball because of work so this is how I took him with me...