DRAFP Ball Tickets – What’s the deal?

Turns out the Committee aren’t stealing all the money


In a move that disgusted St Andreans (who are normally happy to shell out £45 or queue all night for a ball ticket), this year DRAFP residents are being charged £15 for a ticket to their Hall Ball, which they could previously attend for free.

We sat down with Ball Convenor Veronica Farah to find out more.

Photo Credit: Lightbox Creative

Looking over the figures, it’s clear that the change of venue from the usual Kinkell to a marquee on Lower College Lawn is the main reason for the increase in ticket price. Based on last year’s figures, holding the ball at Kinkell would cost approximately £16,000 for venue hire, lighting and staging. On Lower College Lawn, the marquee alone costs £17,000, and with other factors like heating, lighting and toilets to consider, the total venue costs amount to around £25,000, despite the fact that they are sharing the marquee with FS, which takes place a few days earlier.

So why have the ball at a venue that’s around £9,000 more expensive? Veronica says it was either that or not have it at all. The Ball Committee were told by Warden and Director of Residential and Business Services (RBS) Ben Stuart that the University is becoming increasingly concerned with student safety at events held at Kinkell, primarily due to its out-of-town location and the numerous transport issues experienced by recent events, and that having DRAFP Hall Ball at this venue was not an option. The Ball Committee had tentatively reserved Kinkell for the date, but the owners were kind enough not to charge a cancellation fee, nor did they file a lawsuit, as rumours are claiming.

Many residents have asked why the ball budget couldn’t be increased to cover all costs, but Veronica says that just wasn’t possible. The initial budget of £40,000 has already been increased to an absolute maximum of £50,000, but overall spending has now hit £61,000. This year, DRAFP Committee have used more of their budget for events and activities in an effort to strengthen the Hall’s community spirit, so there just isn’t enough money left.

Given the massive but unavoidable increase in venue costs, Veronica says that the Ball Committee have tried to keep spending in other areas as low as possible whilst still making the ball “as crazy and wonderful as possible”. In fact, most costs are lower than last year’s, although allegedly, previous DRAFP balls have not been covered by events insurance, a cost which has therefore also contributed to the increase in ticket price. However, guests can still expect the usual free glass of Prosecco, ice cream, photobooth and music acts in addition to the casino games on offer and a “surprise show”.

They can also expect a security guard by the cloakroom all night, to avoid the flight of the Canada Geese of last semester!