At regular intervals throughout term the senior tutor hosts formal dinners. The dining hall gets jazzed up and they break out the good stuff (food only unfortunately). Though the bar will often open earlier so you can grab a bottle of wine for the evening's festivities. Best of all, formals are completely free and everyone is invited.

To attend formals, you must be a registered member of the JHJCR website (you’ll find out how to do this when you get here). Log in, fill in your dietary requirements and sign up when the time comes. Signup is first come first served and often fills up quickly, so make sure you remember the signup time! You can also bring a guest, by emailing me and letting me know so we can sort it out.

Formal wear and gowns must be worn at all times throughout the formal. Formal wear for men is a smart suit and tie, and for women is a smart top and skirt/trousers or a dress. Occasionally a particular formal might require fancy dress or black tie to be worn (black tie for men being a dinner suit, aka a tux, and a dress or smart top and skirt for women).

Please enjoy yourselves at formals but also bear in mind the enjoyment of others. Whilst John’s is not as strict as some other colleges, you will still be liable to be ejected and fined if your behaviour is deemed unsuitable or if you are not attired correctly. For example, you are required to bow to the top table if you have to leave or enter the dining hall at any time. This is generally done with a self-conscious grin, or slightly wine-induced over-flamboyancy, but shouldn’t be seen as something scary. You should get a nice nod of approval in response from the Principal. Which is always good.

In charge of formals: Sam Broster, Estates Manager (johns.estates@durham.ac.uk)