Murray Edwards Garden Party (MEGP) has been cancelled, following concerns from the committee about low ticket sales.

In an email sent to all Medwards students, the President of the MEGP committee announced the “difficult decision” to cancel the event, due to an “unprecedented low demand for tickets.” Students were also reassured that they would be reimbursed for tickets in the email.

The event, which was planned to take place on the 16th of June, was forced to take place indoors for around half the night due to bad weather last year. A student close to the matter told Varsity that this was a factor in low ticket sales this year.

Many such events have also been criticised for their high prices in the face of cost of living.

The committee had also emailed multiple other May Balls attempting to advertise tickets with special deals in the past week, as well as appearing to advertise their event over Camfess.

Speaking to Varsity, one Medwards student attributed the cancellation to students not wanting to attend newer colleges’ May Balls. A joint June Event between St Edmund’s and Lucy Cavendish Colleges was cancelled last year due to poor ticket sales.

In their statement, the MEGP presidents said the cancellation was “not a decision we have made lightly, and it certainly wasn’t something we ever wanted to do” and added that they “hope that your may week is still full of fun parties and events”.

Speaking to Varsity, a student with a ticket to the event said: “MEGP getting cancelled is really disappointing for me. The food and drink options had just been released and me and my friends were all so excited to go. I imagine it’s even worse for people who only bought tickets for Medwards, and so now have no other June Events to attend.”

“It is also a painful reminder of how hill colleges like Medwards are generally seen as ‘lesser’ than central colleges, who don’t seem to have the same issues selling tickets. It is a real shame because Medwards gardens are beautiful and the committee worked really hard this year,” they continued.

The MEGP committee told Varsity: “We believe that the rain last year did not impact demand this year, as the event still went ahead, only delaying entry slightly. Rather there is a cost of living crisis which has meant that students are choosing one “more expensive/ prestigious” ball rather than going to a few different events.”

Prices at MEGP were kept to a minimum and [it] is proud to remain one of the most affordable may week events,” they added.

A spokesperson for Murray Edwards College said: “Murray Edwards is working hard to help the Garden Party organising committee to reduce the impact on attendees and consider alternative options for a celebration.”