Guild Awards

Kicking off the evening in The Goose, bow ties were donned and buffs discarded. The group gradually congregated with Alex giving us an excellent glimpse of his future political attire, whilst keeping his hands firmly in his pockets to prevent glimpses of anything else. After Will had trudged approximately 500 miles from the Vale to meet us, we departed for the Great Hall with expectations kept well in check.

Upon arrival too many photos were taken, and all attendees were overjoyed to see the copious provisions of table wine and Cobra beer. After consuming the bread ‘starter,’ and listening to some welcomes, the main was served. With mashed potato allocation well below the Wayfarers code guidelines of 0.5 kg/pp, the table (and me especially) were left feeling a little hungry, but with plenty more wine to get through we soldiered on.

The awards were kicked off and we watched as many other deserving societies won their respective categories. Due to the lack of popularity at the table (don’t tell Lord Bilimoria), Harry and Peter Brightling spent the duration of the night nobly tackling 6 cobra beers each, interspersed with a mild dose of PantoSoc heckling.

It then came time for the Outstanding Individual Contribution Award, and all breaths were held for our very own Harry Curtis. Once the words ‘managing risk’ were read out it was a sealed victory and the table erupted in applause. With his tail mildly between his legs, Harry graciously accepted his award, perhaps regretting his previous mischief. In celebration the wise young Alex Brasher purchased a stupidly expensive bottle of Moet from the almost closed bar which was enjoyed by all.

With one victory, we thought that was it for the night, but after dessert there was more to come (sadly no more dessert though). After a brief recorded message from the one and only Karan Bilimoria, it was time for the final award of the night – the Ian King Award for Society of the Year. With stiff competition, the table were chuffed to make it to the shortlist, but it was only when the words ‘weekly email’ were read out that we realised. In disbelief we leapt to our feet and extatically hugged one another. Wayfarers had won.

Still in shock, the candidates for most drunken table made our way to the front, where President Curtis broke protocol and insisted on making a speech. After thanking the committee, the guild, and asking for more Cobra beer, we collected our things – and a nabbed a few bottles of unwanted Cobra from the vice-chancellors table – before departing the awards.

After a failed attempt to stash the nights loot in the cupboard, we descended on Umberslade Road for an afterparty. With cooking attempts resulting in a half-cooked onion and a cafetiered egg, Pizzaland was called upon, and medium sobriety achieved. With sufficient disruption inflicted on Harry’s poor flatmates we called it a night and headed to bed with spirits high.

Apologies for waffling on, but I would just like to give a massive thank you to everyone for making the society what it is – hearing the award read out made me realise just how uniquely inclusive and friendly Wayfarers are, and I think everyone should be incredibly proud. Also, a big congratulations to Harry Curtis on his well deserved victory.

Thank you Wayfarers,

Matthew