Debunked: Here’s the actual truth behind the spoon banging tradition at Hatfield College

The Master of Hatfield College has debunked the rumoured tradition about the practice of banging of spoons on tables at formal dinners.

It is believed among some students that the tradition to bang spoons began as a protest against the election of the college’s first female senior man, which is the equivalent of a JCR president.

The practice of banging spoons at Hatfield formals has been longstanding, with many Durham students from other colleges being aware of the tradition also.

But despite the rumours, the Master of Hatfield College, Ann MacLarnon, has confirmed to The Durham Tab that this is not the case.

One Durham University student, Elysia, posted a video online where she detailed her experience at an intercollege formal hosted at Hatfield. She discussed her initial surprise at the tradition to “hit their spoons on the table really loudly” upon the arrival of the senior man.

@elysia_sanders

Replying to @Ellie Dinsdale✨ pls let me know what anyone else thinks!! I cant work out if im going crazy but i dont think i am #uni #university #durhamuni #studentlife #durham #classism #sexism

♬ original sound – elysia

Elysia said: “I heard a rumour that this tradition had started to protest women joining the college.”

She also claimed that after the spoon banging ended, the senior man stood up and explained that the tradition had been created when the first female senior man had walked into a formal and all the men in the college had banged their spoons on the table to protest her being there. Elysia said: “Once it quietened down, the senior man then sort of openly told everybody in the formal that it had started when the first female senior man had walked into a formal and all the men in the college had banged their spoons on the table to protest her being there.”

But despite this, the tradition actually emerged as a way to celebrate college achievements and build a community between college members.

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Ann explained the true origins behind the tradition to The Durham Tab: “The tradition of banging spoons on tables during Hatfield College formal dinners did not begin with the election of a first female student leader. Rather, it has historically been used to celebrate college achievements. It is currently used before each formal dinner as a way of building community across the College.”

Explaining how the college celebrates a diverse community, Ann also emphasised the community-building aspect of the tradition in the broader context of Hatfield’s goals as a college: “Hatfield formal dinners reflect our ethos, AllOneHatfield – that living and learning in a diverse community is enriching for all. We have held dinners marking Black History Month, Chinese New Year, Diwali, County Durham, International Women’s Day, and more.”

Hatfield College was the last Durham college to accept women in 1988. Moreover, in the 2023 year of entry, Hatfield had the lowest percentage of state-educated students out of any college, just 19 per cent.

However, Ann also highlighted Hatfield’s ongoing efforts to champion inclusivity and diversity in and amongst the college community. Referring to the Lioness Scholarship, which provides a fully funded masters studentship for a woman from a developing country, Ann explained the previous and current steps being made towards Hatfield’s commitment to gender equality.

Via Google Maps

Debunking the theory that the tradition was in protest of women joining the college, Ann said: “Hatfield is contributing across multiple fronts to ensure our university community is welcoming and supportive for students of all backgrounds.”

In a statement, Ann highlighted Hatfield’s efforts to ensure greater accessibility and financial support for its students. She noted that Hatfield was the first college at Durham University to introduce automatic bursaries, “covering college expenses including the JCR levy and college ball for all home undergraduate students from lower income backgrounds.”

Additionally, the statement explained that the college also offers higher-value undergraduate scholarships targeted at “lower income students studying particular subjects or from North East England.”

The Master’s statement read: “We also award higher-value undergraduate scholarships to lower income students studying particular subjects or from North East England, as well as the Lioness Scholarship for a fully funded masters studentship for a woman from a developing country, and have available hardship funds for students in unexpected financial difficulties.

“We have a diverse student leadership team, and active student-led communities including LGBT+, people of colour, first generation students, international students, students with disabilities, and feminist students. We have several student awards recognising contributions to inclusivity, and make clear our ethos to all incoming students from their first arrival.”

Featured image via Google Maps and TikTok