As Britain’s elite students, they are the country’s leaders and thinkers of tomorrow. But as the term at Cambridge University ended, the occasion became just another chance to get hopelessly drunk and frolic in the streets. As the sun came up this morning, throngs of the young and wealthy scions staggered through the streets of the city following the lavish Trinity May Ball. Wearing dinner jackets and top hats, some of the men passed out in pavements while others teetered home with no trousers on following the £215-a-ticket event.
Some students even stripped off their clothes after falling into the river – as local families began their commute to work or school. Others flung abuse at onlookers, and even scrapped with security staff who were trying to confiscate their alcohol. Some had to be carried back to their rooms by boyfriends, while others sniggered as they lurched through the same streets once trodden on by eminent scholars like Isaac Newton. Others continued to celebrate at the expensive end-of-term party with drunken punt rides on the River Cam and a champagne breakfast in the college gardens.
The first one was held in 1838- Trinity May Ball is held on the first Monday of May Week, which, despite the month in the title, always takes place in June after exams. The ball has continued every year since, apart from 1910 when King Edward VII died and between 1939 and 1945 during the Second World War.
