By order of the Paddy Blinders! A look back on Paddy’s Ball

Last Friday, Harper Ireland’s Paddy’s Ball at Harper Adams University, to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day was themed ‘by order of the Paddy Blinders’.

Harper Ireland treasurer, Emily Moore, said: “The Paddy Blinder’s theme proved to be very popular based on the number of flat caps spotted that night. An impressive 2,450 students and guests attended the ball.

“Harper Ireland decided this year to raise money for the Meningitis NI charity and will be making a donation once the profits from the ball have been finalised.

“It’s been a hectic few weeks leading up to the ball and we, the committee, could be found in the bar extension of the Students Union (SU) every night painting decorations to fit in with the Paddy Blinder’s theme. But once the decorating was finished, the SU and marquee definitely looked the part.

“It really makes you appreciate these events more when you’re involved in the organising and the set-up of them, as there’s a lot more work that goes on behind the scenes than you would think.

“St. Patrick's weekend has definitely been the highlight of my time at Harper so far, and the organising for Paddy's Ball has made second term an absolute blast. It’s gone by so quickly and it’s safe to say I’m unquestionably ready to catch up on sleep now that it’s over!

“This year’s acts included DJs such as Ian van Dahl, Mickey Quinn, Connor Jay and Darren Styles as well as a few of our own club members having a go at mixing in a few tunes, which were mostly in the marquee.

“In the main SU bar we decided to stick to our roots with country music from Paul Kelly and his band, and fellow student James Boyd also joined in for some of the songs.

“I’d like to say a big thank you to SU president Charlotte Garbutt and the staff, as well as the wider university services for their hard work and dedication put into this ball.

“I’d also like to thank Mike and Colin (our outgoing and incoming chairmen) and everyone in Harper Ireland who put in all the hard work to make the ball as successful as it was.”