Formal Hall

On Friday night, at Regents Park College (and all the other colleges in Oxford), dinner is called "Formal Hall."  It is a formal meal, and the students and faculty get dressed up for the occasion.  Dress for male students is a dark suit; for females, it's a fancy dark dress.  Over their evening attire, they wear the short black robe called a "Commoner's Gown."  They also wear these robes during exams.  Faculty wear dark suits with an academic robe over it.  I wore black pants, a black top, a black suit jacket and the academic robe that was in my closet at Spencer House.

The students are seated shortly before 7pm.  The faculty gather in the Senior Common Room and sharply at 7 the principal (president) leads the group into the dining hall.  We sat at the raised table in the front of the hall.

Before the meal we gathered in the Senior Common room for wine and light snacks.  Our formal meal consisted of butternut squash soup (hot), which was very good; venison stew and mashed potatoes; white chocolate mousse and fruit.  A very tasty meal. After dinner, we went back for coffee, chocolate and conversation.

Being tired, at 8:45pm I decided it was time to go, and rather than take the bus, I treated myself to a taxi.  It was only 4.50 pounds -- plus a tip.  Very well worth it!

One of the waiters at Formal Hall took my camera up to the balcony and took these shots for me. The pictures didn't turn out so well because it was so dark in the room.  Afterall, we were having dinner by candlelight!