Freshers’ Week is undoubtedly the most exciting week for incoming first-year students. Walking through Front Arch into the sea of society tents can be overwhelming. The JCR always aims to ease even a little bit of this stress and anxiety by holding its own society fair for the residents of Trinity Hall.
David Ola, the current JCR President, outlined the plans to hold society showcases and allow a few different societies to host “mini events” in Halls, including a hip-hop class from DU Dance. “We’ve got a lot of societies lined up”, explained Ola, “and it’ll be an integral part of the weekend”. The different society showcases will take place from 4-6pm on the Saturday and 3-5pm on the Sunday.
Ola thinks that the Halls society fair “is one of the most important events all year” for the residents of Trinity Hall. Months ago, during the JCR elections, Ola stated in his manifesto that he aimed to increase society presence and visibility in Trinity Hall, speaking about the gap to be bridged between the residents of Halls and all of the societies. To combat this “air of separation”, as Ola describes it, the JCR are planning to carry on their involvement with the societies throughout the college year.
The benefit of having a society fair separate to the one in college is that the Halls residents get a chance to see what societies are all about in a smaller environment. Ola and the JCR want to provide a less overwhelming environment for the first years to integrate into college life, believing that “the Halls Society Fair is easier to take in on one of your first days”.
“All in all”, says Ola, “I hope this encourages residents to get involved in societies” as the fair “gives them a chance to join societies that could end up playing a major part in their overall college experience”. With over 70 of Trinity’s societies, the fair will be taking place in the Big Courtyard at 12-3pm on Saturday, September 16th. Ola describes it as “definitely not an event to miss.”
