MPW London

MPW Christmas Ball

They say that you can never step in the same river twice (and any English teacher can tell you that the first of Gatsby’s parties beats the second hands down). Nonetheless, the second MPW ball at the Millennium hotel was every bit as enjoyable as the first. The domed roof impressed me in June when sunlight streamed through it, but it was rendered even more atmospheric by the impression one had of being under the stars in December. Once again, there was dancing, sparkling wine (and conversation), and the return of popular attractions such as the photo booth. This time there was a beautician on hand who offered to make me up – I declined on this occasion – but who gave me a temporary tattoo instead. This made me the object of some curiosity on the tube returning home and required a hurried explanation to a parent the following day! The tattoo artist was kept very busy by students during the course of the evening and should, I suggest, be booked next time – when, hopefully, more tutors will avail themselves of her services!

We’d just had the Prize Winners event a couple of days before and so I relished its Saturnalian inversion at the Ball, where plastic ‘Oscars’ are dispensed for really worthy accomplishments such as ‘most troublesome student’: I am saving blushes by not revealing the recipient of this august prize! As I noted last time, MPW students can be relied upon to dress well all the way through the working week, but they all surpassed themselves at the Ball. Everyone looked splendid – including some of the tutors! Events like this remind me of some of the reasons why I love teaching at MPW: they confirm the sense of community we have with students who might only be with us for a year or two, sometimes as little as a term. The ball made a perfect beginning to the festive season for all of us, and those who organised it are to be especially congratulated.

Richard Martin