David Flood is in a nostalgic mood. Ahead of freshers’ week, we’re reminiscing about our college experiences and pumping ourselves for the year to come. Flood tells me he felt he was late to the party: “In first year I wasn’t involved in any societies. I was just enjoying society events, but I was sick of that by the end of the year and applied for a Surf Club position for second year.” Flood says “it turned out to be one of the best decisions I ever made. I felt part of something, part of a community, and quickly became interested in the events side of things.”
Flood spent the next year with a more positive attitude, joining the Trinity Ultimate Frisbee Club and running for class representative. “I read the SU email one week by chance and thought the position of Welfare Officer was something I’d be into – but that was before I began reading the Ents pitch.” After ignoring the advice of his parents and applying to run for the role, Flood was distraught to find out he had missed the application deadline by just five hours. Gutted, the Ents dream was put on hold while Flood set his sights on captaincy of the Surf Club.
One year on, Flood finally realised his dream this February and was elected Ents Officer. Having organised events on the Viking Splash Tour with cans, he clearly intends to push the boundaries of what is considered normal whenever he can. “How crazy can we go? Let’s have an anti-ball instead of a ball and wear sandals and boardshorts – why not? I’m looking at Ents in the same way – what haven’t I seen, what’s possible?”
This year’s freshers’ week, examined retrospectively, largely lived up to Flood’s mantra, with new additions, such as a charity Battle of the Bands, rubbing comfortably alongside old favourites like the Pav Takeover. On the cusp of the week, Flood predicts it will be “the most diverse and inclusive in our history”. It’s not difficult, two weeks later, to find yourself agreeing.
More generally, as he looks ahead to a year in the hotseat of College’s events, Flood tells me he dreams of “redefining the night out”: “I want every night to be utterly immersive, every experience to push boundaries. We’re even looking at an international mystery tour with other colleges and universities for an affordable price – I’m really looking forward to seeing that idea grow.”
Flood’s highlights, though, don’t have to be country-hopping extravaganzas: “There is one event in particular that I’ve gotten the go-ahead for that I’m particularly excited about – it’s just going to be ridiculous, from how you get your tickets to what drinks are on offer.”
He giggles at the prospect, but won’t say any more – despite my best efforts.
We glance out the window at an empty Front Square, before Flood brings me back with some typically sanguine advice to first years. “I’d tell any nervous fresher to just be genuine, it’ll show off everything great about their personality. Even if you’re nervous and sweaty, or can’t get a word out, you’ll still settle in better than anyone who pretends to be something they’re not.” Above all, he offers, “have a positive attitude, take societies up on their offers, believe them when they say their events are great. There’s nothing to lose – give it all a go”.
