#may week

Today is Rood Een, on which night Highland cow sheds used to be draped with honeysuckle and rowan to protect the animals from the malign magic of witches. May Week also saw hiring fairs in which itinerant labourers attended to pick up casual agricultural work for the summer. The hiring farmers of Brigg incentivised attendance at their fairs with free beer, making Brigg Fair one of the most popular.

trinity may ball | monday 17 june, 2019

There are quite a few nice places to walk to that I would recommend - the walk from Newnham to Granchester is lovely as it goes along the river (and there’s a great place to have a cream tea when you get there!), as well as maybe going along the river in the other direction - you might even get to Ely if you’re determined enough. My typical activities once exams are done are to spend a long time reading, because I don’t do enough of that during term, and enjoying being outside. The range of museums in Cambridge is also quite something, so I’d recommend going to the Fitzwilliam Museum or one of of the science ones, such as the Sedgwick museum (think dinosaurs and rocks) or perhaps the Zoology museum.

I don’t think it would mess up your May Week at all - the only reason it might make you miss out on something would be if all your friends were going to a ball on the same evening as you were working, but if you plan that out early then you can just work another night. It’s quite a nice way to get to see the inside of some of the bigger balls without having to pay the massive pricetag. And plus, because so many people are staying up all night for balls, there isn’t all that much socialising going on in the mornings as everyone is asleep, so you’d be in the same position as everyone else at that point. I’d say go for it, because it’s a good way to make some money to spend on other balls!

June - they used to be in May (hence the name) and when May Week was moved to June in like the 1880s, the name stuck! May Week starts on the 18th of June this year!

I’m not too keen on revealing my whole May Week schedule, but I will say that one of the balls I’m going to this year is Trinity! Very excited!

Yeah, if you’re keen - lots of my friends did it in our first year and really enjoyed the experience (particularly if they were able to do half on/half off - that way they still got to enjoy half of the ball)! My only tip would be to make sure you coordinate which May Ball you’re planning on attending with your friends beforehand so you don’t end up working the same ball that everyone else is attending/working a ball on the same night and getting major FOMO.