Armed with a pack of cards, I was ready to spend a large part of my evening in the queue. After pitching up at 7pm (and then fleeing home to get my camera) the queue moved surprisingly quickly. Jesus made the most of its space by having half of your queuing experience within college rather than in the street, allowing the guests to eat sausages on sticks whilst they waited. Queues all round were great with most taking no more than a few minutes for food and activities alike. It was not until around 2pm when some things began to close up that lines began to grow. The tea and coffee line was particularly long.

The theme – Lost in the Woods – had not made me over-excited, expecting just a heavily forested theme possibly with some folklore nods. Instead, Jesus cleverly played on the terms ‘woods’ with Enchanted, Frozen and Rain – forest areas but also Woodstock, Bollywood and Hollywood. This variety provided distinct atmospheres – Hollywood was chic with a casino and cheese-and-wine room, whilst Woodstock was loud and playful with the ferris wheel and dodgems alongside the shots and bomb bar. Though the Ball suffered for a distinct lack of fireworks, the theme brought the whole ball together rather than making you feel lost. Blessed (or cursed) with the double edged sword of being a big college, Jesus would always have to be careful with how it is used the space. But spread across three courts and using the orchard, Fellows’ Garden and the hockey pitch, the Ball managed to make the most of its space without feeling empty.

As the kind of person who ends up storing half of any buffet in their pockets/ rucksack/ hand bag for later, food is probably the most important factor for me at any event, let alone one about 9 hours long. On this count, Jesus exceeded expectations. Not only was the food plentiful – nearly all the stalls were open past midnight – there was such a wide variety. From pizza to pies, waffles to wraps, I managed to efficiently stuff my face at a leisurely pace and without having to panic. However, bacon rolls ran out surprisingly early leaving many hungry in the early hours of the morning. Drinks were also plentiful with commendations for the seemingly limitless G&T and the more exotic coconuts chopped in half in front of you providing a boozy-milk concoction. Soft drinks abounded.

Entertainment was consistent throughout with the tribute acts Coldplace and Antarctic Monkeys drawing almost as large crowds as the actual headliners. Alongside henna and photobooths, the more restful Enchanted Forest provided giant chess and bracelet making which admittedly challenged the dexterity of my excitable/sleepy fingers. The early morning ceilidh helped keep the Ball’s energy up as the end drew near. As we waited for the Survivors’ photo I did feel sad to leave, although happy to be off to bed.