2022 – Hatfield Great Escape Reunion Weekend with Lion in Autumn Ball – Durham

Update 3

We are deeply saddened at the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Our thoughts are with members of the Royal Family at this time. We share the nation’s gratitude for her service and sense of loss at her death.

In line with National Mourning Guidance for the public and businesses (published on GOV.UK) the originally planned programme of activities has been amended.

This amended programme is the restricted format prescribed by the University and can be viewed here.

 

Update 2 – wine

You may now order wine to accompany your meal at the Lion in Autumn Ball on Saturday 17 September 2022.

For those dining at the Lion in Autumn Ball formal dinner we are delighted that a selection of good quality Hatfield Cellar wines to share will be provided on your table (half a bottle per head).

Should you wish to order additional bottles of wine please follow this link to read the Lion in Autumn Ball Formal Dinner Wine List which also contains information on how to book and pay online for your wine order now.

Read the Wine List and order and pay online for your wine now.

Please place your order for wine as soon as you are able to as online wine orders will close on Wednesday 7 September 2022.

Update 1 – non-dining tickets

Non-dining tickets now available for Lion in Autumn Ball (LIAB)

Following the huge demand from Hatfielders earlier this year we sold out of all LIAB Dining tickets very quickly.

We are now pleased to make available a limited number of LIAB Non-dining tickets. These are available to purchase online now.

A few tickets also remain for an optional buffet at the Great Hatfield Quiz (Friday evening); and the last remaining single rooms in College accommodation (Friday and Saturday evenings) are also available to purchase.

LIAB Non-dining tickets will also allow you access to the pre-dinner drinks reception, the Burt Room bar and the music and entertainment that follows the meal, but sadly you will not be able to access the dining hall during the meal and speeches.

Please note that LIAB Non-dining tickets do not entitle the holder to food (although after attending the pre-dinner drinks reception you could dine out-of-Hatfield by booking your own table with your friends at one of the many local restaurants nearby before returning to College later on for the music and entertainments).

LIAB Non-dining tickets can be booked and paid online now.

All bookings (for accommodation; the Great Hatfield Quiz; and the Lion in Autumn Ball) close 12 noon on Friday 2 September 2022.

Book here: Hatfield Great Escape Weekend with Lion in Autumn Ball booking page

Booking now Open!

Booking is now open for both events and accomodation in college. Alumni events are popular so please book at an early stage to avoid disappointment. See the link to the booking page below.

You can now book for:

  • the Lion in Autumn Ball Dining tickets (Saturday 17 September 2022) –  LIAB DINING TICKETS NOW ALL SOLD OUT;
  • the Lion in Autumn Ball Non-dining tickets (Saturday 17 September 2022) – A LIMITED NUMBER OF LIAB NON-DINING TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE TO PURCHASE ONLINE
  • optional buffet at the Great Hatfield Bar Quiz (Friday 16 September 2022); and
  • accomodation – bed & breakfast available in college – ALL DOUBLE & TWIN ROOMS SOLD OUT; LAST REMAINING SINGLE ROOMS STILL AVAILABLE

Book now to ensure the accomodation of your choice in college. 

Single en-suite; double or twin rooms; and standard single rooms will be available.

There are a limited number of double and twin rooms available which will be allocated on a first come first served basis. So please book at an early stage to avoid disappointment.

Book here: Hatfield Great Escape Weekend with Lion in Autumn Ball booking page

You can also read: the Hatfield Association event booking terms and conditions

Save the date and join the Great Escape – to Hatfield!

Hatfielders old and young are invited to celebrate 75 years since the College’s Great Escape from a planned merger with arch-rivals Castle at

The Great Escape Reunion Weekend with Lion in Autumn Ball – Friday 16 – Sunday 18 September 2022

Brink of being merged into Castle

Did you know that in 1946, on the eve of its 100th anniversary, Hatfield was on the brink of being merged into Castle? Unbelievable, but true!

Thankfully the proposed merger never came to pass, thanks to the efforts of the then Vice-Master, College Tutors, a former Senior Man and 150 alumni and students who banded together to form the Hatfield Association.

The Hatfield Association immediately resolved to lobby University Council for the appointment of a Hatfield Master and for Hatfield to reoccupy its own buildings.

The rest is history…

The Great Escape Weekend

The Great Escape Weekend will mark this pivotal moment in the College’s history and offer the opportunity to all Hatfielders to return to their beloved College for a weekend of celebration, with its climax: The Lion in Autumn Ball.

This special weekend will include:

  • the Great Hatfield Bar Quiz (Friday evening) with optional buffet available to book
  • a variety of sporting & musical events – enjoy a game of croquet or get back on the river
  • the opportunity to stay in College again – perhaps in your old room – with rooms at special alumni rates for bed & breakfast – booking available now
  • enjoy brunch in the College Dining Hall
  • plenty of time at your leisure to wander around Durham visiting your old haunts and
  • the Lion in Autumn Ball (including formal meal) – booking available now

including The Lion in Autumn Ball (Dining tickets sold out; limited number of LIAB Non-dining tickets available)

Book your tickets now for a fantastic opportunity to enjoy the evening with other Hatfielders and friends, including:

  • a glamorous drinks reception
  • a Four Course Black Tie Formal Dinner in Hall (book a table for you and your friends to sit together)
  • celebrated Hatfield guest speaker
  • splendid Bar and College Songs
  • and entertainment into the night with live bands and DJs

Booking is now open!

Booking is now open for both events and accomodation in college. Alumni events are popular so please book at an early stage to avoid disappointment.

You can now book for:

  • the Lion in Autumn Ball Dining tickets (Saturday 17 September 2022) –  LIAB DINING TICKETS NOW ALL SOLD OUT;
  • the Lion in Autumn Ball Non-dining tickets (Saturday 17 September 2022) – A LIMITED NUMBER OF LIAB NON-DINING TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE TO PURCHASE ONLINE
  • optional buffet at the Great Hatfield Bar Quiz (Friday 16 September 2022); and
  • accomodation – bed & breakfast available in college – ALL DOUBLE & TWIN ROOMS SOLD OUT; LAST REMAINING SINGLE ROOMS STILL AVAILABLE

Book now to ensure the accomodation of your choice in college. 

Single en-suite; double or twin rooms; and standard single rooms will be available.

There are a limited number of double and twin rooms available which will be allocated on a first come first served basis. So please book at an early stage to avoid disappointment.

Book here: Hatfield Great Escape Weekend with Lion in Autumn Ball booking page

You can also read: the Hatfield Association event booking terms and conditions

Please save the date in your diary: Friday 16-Sunday 18 September 2022.

Hatfield 175

The 2021-22 academic year marks both the 175th anniversary of the establishment of Hatfield College in 1846 as well as the 75th anniversary of the formation of the Hatfield Association in 1946.

The Great Escape Reunion Weekend with Lion in Autumn Ball

There are many things being planned to mark 175/75 but one date at the end of the anniversary year that you may like to put into your diary now is the concluding event of Hatfield’s 175th Anniversary celebrations: Friday 16 – Sunday 18 September 2022 the Hatfield Great Escape Reunion Weekend with Lion in Autumn Ball:

  • This will mark 75 years of the Hatfield Association, formed in 1946 to fight for the restoration to Hatfield of its own buildings, its own Master and freedom from the threat of merger with Castle;
  • Celebrate and give thanks for the flourishing of Hatfield over the succeeding 75 years, as a vibrant, eclectic, inclusive community; and
  • Offer an opportunity for Hatfielders of all generations who have been enriched by the Hatfield spirit to recognise their good fortune and help support the college to offer opportunities for the next generation of young people, including those of limited means in keeping with the 1846 aims of David Melville.

Vel Primus Vel Cum Primis!

Details

Book here: Hatfield Great Escape Weekend with Lion in Autumn Ball booking page

You can also read: the Hatfield Association event booking terms and conditions

Venue

Hatfield College is a vibrant and welcoming community to which each and every student, alongside other college members, belongs. Established in 1846, as the second college of Durham University, with the explicit purpose of being open to a wide range of students, we greatly value the rich diversity of our college members, who come from all sorts of backgrounds and places of origin, with all sorts of interests, experiences and views. We strive to ensure that all Hatfielders have the opportunities and encouragement to be the best they can be, reflecting the words of our motto, Vel Primus Vel Cum Primis.

Hafield College
North Bailey
Durham
DH1 3RQ

 

About the Hatfield Association – Once a Hatfielder, Always a Hatfielder

 

The Hatfield Association was established in 1946, at a time when the future of Hatfield College, Durham University was uncertain – this was the first time that Hatfielders came together and probably the finest proof of the legendary Hatfield spirit.

Our aim is to ensure we have a strong, active and engaged network of Hatfield alumni (graduates), to facilitate and build strong relationships with the College and to support its educational and welfare needs.

To this end the Hatfield Association plays an active role in: organising annual reunions, helping to connect members through regular updates and publications, offering career advice for students through a partnership with SHAPED, supporting the outreach programme for schools and playing an active role in all three common rooms.

Our membership consists of thousands of Hatfield graduates, but we are always keen to connect with more!

If you would like to read the latest version of our annual publication, the Hatfield Record, to receive updates about our work and invitations to events, then please register for access to this website using the form on our home page.

Vel Primus Vel Cum Primis since 1846