SSB: Palmer Unchained

The Safer Sex Ball has always been the most talked about event on the calendar of every Exeter student.

This year’s event was no different, swathed in controversy both before due to the contentious theme and after following the ‘Blowmeo and Juliet’ saga.

We caught up with Charlie Palmer, one of the five-strong committee who put months of planning into the organisation of the event, in order to give him a chance to tell the story behind the night that sent the national press reeling.

The Tab: So Charlie, how did you get involved with the event?

CP: I knew someone who was on the SSB committee last year, who suggested I went for it. I’ve always had an interest in events management and this was a great opportunity to do something I enjoy.

The Tab: How was the decision of the theme reached?

CP: It was always going to be difficult to set something that is both inexpensive, unique and uncontroversial. As a committee, we put a lot of thought into it.

The Tab: Given the backlash at the time, with hindsight would you have chosen a different theme?

CP: Absolutely. We never intended to cause offence to anyone. Like I said, we tried to find something accessible and easy to do. The final decision was not up to me.

The Tab: How did you seek to build on last year’s event?

CP: In 2011, everyone really liked the launch party at the Lemmy, so this year we wanted to do something a bit different to drum up the hype, and help rebrand the night away from the last two years at Westpoint. We teamed up with 4Play and had the idea of a black-tie event at the Castle – we wanted something that would let us show a bit of ingenuity.

The Tab: What was the thinking behind introducing the Campaigns week?

CP: We wanted to try a whole new thing that would reaffirm the message behind the SSB and make it a focal point on campus. I think the week really hammered home the meaning of the night – it gave us a chance to try and educate students about sexual health. I look forward to seeing it again next year as it went down so well.

The Tab: So you think there will be another SSB next year?

CP: I certainly hope so. It’s a great event, and if the Guild don’t organise it, then another company will. That’d be a huge shame as you’d probably lose the welfare and welcome teams, who had a massive impact on the smooth running of the night. Plus we made around £25,000 for charity this year, which would just go in someone’s back pocket.

The Tab: Did you enjoy the night itself?

CP: Yeah, I loved it! I was in charge of organising the acts and entertainment, so it was brilliant to see 21 artists over five stages for the first time.

The Tab: What were your personal highlights?

CP: The UV room was sick…Duke were also amazing on the live stage. Danny Howard’s set was incredible, he was raving about us on Radio 1, he was still partying backstage until 4am. And of course Rudimental stripping off at the end of his set…that was reminiscent of a story I heard about when Will Young organised the event a few years back! Then there’s the legendary bucking penis…and the cheeky fire alarm that got set off at 2.10am.

The Tab: Did you pull?

CP: Everyone pulls at SSB…

The Tab: The event’s been scrutinised in the national press a lot due to the whole ‘blowjob in the Ram’ incident. Are you annoyed about the way that your night has been spun in the media?

CP: To be honest, what happened could have happened at any event. It’s an obvious mistake and it’s a shame that it was made. The fact of the matter is, when you talk to the people who actually went, their enthusiasm is palpable. That it was an amazing night is inescapable. We raised an incredible amount for charity and I think it’s tragic how the coverage has managed to obscure that fact.