RAG Week

Okay so RAG week has been finished for a while now and I haven't really been bothered to do much of anything other than watch the Olympics (and with the time difference it makes it rather hard to watch the Olympics and get sleep). For those of you who don't know RAG (Raise and Give) Week is a national univeristy event in which schools all across the country raise money for charities. The RAC supported 3 charities (2 of which were local Cirencester chairities, in an attempt to improve the reputation of the college amongst the citizens) the Diabetes UK, Riding for the Disabled and the Pasternos School. Anyway I'm gonna let you in on all the amazing fun I had! Starting with the first offical event: The launch party.

The RAG Rave (aka the RAG launch party) use to be another ball with proper formal dress and all that jazz but it was transformed into a Rave about 3 years ago. Now instead of ball gowns and tuxedos students don white and neon colors in the form of tutus, leg warmers, high visablitiy road workers costumes and body paint. Instead of a live band (which is always followed by a DJ set) the college brought in some professional and (apparently) famous DJ's. Of course everyone's favorite resident DJ (DJ Longy, a RAC student) kicked things off and would also end them later on. Matt Hardwick and Judge Jules, who'd I'd never heard of but are apparently quite famouse were next. I, however, being the clever person that I am managed to spill my drink in my eye at some point during the night.

Sunday brought the quite morning of recovery for most of the students and sleeping in would have been they highlight of my day on a normal sunday, but this was RAG Sunday RAC style. The famous RAC RAG Auction was scheduled for Sunday and they had some interesting lots up for grabs. A place on the annual ski trip, a flight around the area with lunch at the Kemble Airfield resturant AV8 for 4 people, dinner at several student's houses (including Chesterton Farm which is legendary for its shenanigans), a pair of Hunter wellies, a case of premium Rock Cafe Champagne, hunting and fishing trips, subscription for Polo and Beagling, and the 2 'get out of parking jail free' card (worth £15-30 each) that went for a grand total of over £300. Sunday was also the night that Anna, Rosie, and I made last minute plans to go on the Rally following day. (More specifically we made the decision less than 12 hours before we left Cirencester)

Monday and I'm up early to start packing for my trip to Newcastle. The annual RAG Rally is a crutial part of the week. Almost the entire college drive from Cirencester (which is in the south westerly part of the country near the bottom of Wales) to somewhere up in the North easterly part of the country (this year was Newcastle). The Lineup was amusing. Music, food, (and for some alcohol before noon), and pranks. Most people, having not made last minute decisions had decorated their cars up with stickers and funny objects (such as a blow-up doll or making the car look like a tractor). Also, one had to be careful from eggs and flour being thrown at your car, as well as be warned that the police where waiting right off campus.

We left Ciren with a bang (literally)! Some people had brought flares, smoke screens, and crow bangers which were set off in celebration as we were escorted out. And it didn't stop their, you could follow the trail of raw egg and flour all the way to Newcastle. Cars would pass each other and wave, whether or not you'd actually met the people before or not (it felt a little bit like home). And of course no road trip would be complete without a few pitstops, all of which were populated by Ag students.

We finally made it to Newcastle, and in one piece too, and then it was off to Bar Blanc for the next part of our journey. While there we watch a car of fellow RAC'ers get pulled over and the police began to cirlce the bar. At that point in time we thought it would be best to go and check into our hotel, but we proceeded to get lost first. We then met up with Anna's sister, whose name is also Rosie, and returned to Bar Blanc for the pub crawl. After that it was off to Sam Jack's and Tiger Tiger Nightclub for the rest of the night. (Lucky for us our hotel was right next door to Tiger Tiger).

Tuesday morning we took our time getting back. There was no rush to return to Ciren as the only thing that was going on there was the Rally Survivor's Party that night. Plus we were quite tired from the day before. The Survivor's Party was quite the event. Everyone was still completely shattered from the night before but that didn't stop them from going to the tythe for another late night party.

Wednesday things were a bit more relaxed. Beagling, with a complimentary glass (or two) of port, was suppose to take place at 10 in front of the college. However the Beagles were there, the port was there, the people were there, but the beagling did not comence. Instead it was moved to 1 pm at some off campus location. The annual Bledisloe Clay Pigeon Shoot was also on that day and Emily and I went and watched it for a while, until we decided we were a bit too cold and so we went and got some ice cream. We then went back to the shoot as there wasn't much else to do. That night was Tweed and Tracksuits night in the Rock followed by late night/early morning food at a local restaurant called Greasy Joe's.

Thursday and I attend my lecture like a good girl, unlike most people. I then went for a Bacon buttie (bacon sandwich) and some bubbly before helping to 'pull' a tractor through town. The Tractor Pull is another classic RAG week event. Traffic in Ciren stops as students attempt to pull a tractor from the center of town back to campus. People donate money to help speed up the process. The Tythe Bar was then open from the time we got back until late, with the Student Union running the bar adn several social events going on.

Friday, the final night and of course it was going to go out in style. Deano and friend shared a very special dance with us to kick the night off. Afterwards it was another late night party in the Tythe.

Saturday & Sunday...campus was dead as everyone had either gone home or was sleeping.