Events

A number of college-organised events punctuate the academic year that give students, staff and others an opportunity to participate together in events that reflect the long-established traditions of the College.

From bar quizzes to formal dinners, charity fundraising nights to our beer festival, theatre productions to film nights... our Entertainment Committees make sure we never have a boring week. Our social calendar is FILLED with both regular and one-off events.

Hild-Bede Day

This is the premier date in the College Calendar (early May) when there is an opportunity for the whole of the College, along with Alumni and invited guests, to celebrate its origins and existence. The usual programme of events is unique amongst all of the colleges.

The day starts with a Champagne Breakfast on the College Lawns followed by an optional service in the Cathedral, at which it is normal to have approximately 900 students! On return to College there is a lavish buffet for those who have tickets (approximately 600 people), in the Dining Hall and a marquee. Many students prefer to have their own picnic on the lawns and this adds colour to the day.

There is entertainment throughout the day, which can include bands such as Brass, Swing, Samba, Jazz and Steel etc. There is also fairground-style events as well as a disco, ceilidh and activities such as 'College Olympics'. It is also the day in which the Ann Boynton Award is made along with Colours for Clubs and Societies.

Our College Day is when the communal Hild-Bede Spirit is seen at its finest.

Formal meals

Eight formal meals are held each year for up to 400 people at a time. These black-tie/lounge suit events are the envy of other Colleges, largely because of the standard of the three- course meals provided. Each Formal is themed to reflect College student societies and special events, for example "The Pond Society" (conservation), "St Trinian's Society" (charity work on behalf of breast cancer care), "Clubs & Socs" (an awards ceremony) and "The Going Down Formal" (at the end of the academic year).

Hild-Bede Balls

The highlights of the year are undeniably our Winter and Summer balls. The Ball Committee spend days turning the bar, the dining room and our Caedmon Hall into a stunning, themed venue. Past themes have included 'the Wizard of Oz', the Circus, and 'New York, New York'. We attract incredible acts to these events; we've had Tinie Tempah and Wheatus in past years. And if you want to be involved with creating these fabulous events and choosing who plays at our Balls, then you can join the Ball or Entertainment Committees!  

Sounding Retreat

Since the founding of the two original Colleges that gave rise to the College of St Hild & St Bede we have always enjoyed strong links with the local community and the North East of England, in general. The annual Sounding Retreat ceremony that takes place in late April at the College war memorial on the Bede Lawns illustrates these links.

The ceremony is held in conjunction with the Durham Light Infantry Association and was initially instituted to remember those students and staff of the Bede College Company who were part of the regiment and lost their lives at Ypres in 1915.

Today we also remember all former members of College who have lost their lives in conflicts around the world.