Community

Working with the community

Whilst Summer Ball is a fantastic event for students at Royal Holloway, we're aware of the impact that it may have on the local community. Below is a copy of the letter sent to residents outlining the preventative steps we've taken to reduce the impact of any potential disturbance, and how you can get in touch if you feel sound levels on the night are excessive.

Letter to residents

Dear Local Resident, As you may already be aware, Royal Holloway’s Summer Ball occurs each year towards the end of the University’s third term enabling students to celebrate the end of another exciting and diverse academic year. Taking place on Founder’s Square in the shadow of Founder’s Building, this year's event will beheld on Friday 31 May 2024, and will operate from 6pm – 4am.

I’d like to reassure you that the Students’ Union is very aware of the impact that an event such as this has on the local community, and it is for this key reason why I write to you today. We are committed to responding to, and wherever possible, taking action to redress issues. This coming year we are taking preventative steps that we hope will have a mitigating impact on any potential disturbance:

1. We have worked collaboratively with Runnymede Borough Council to better understand the impact of noise generated from the event and have agreed parameters to mitigate the impact on the wider community.
2. We will be conducting regular sound monitoring visits throughout the local area over the course of the night to ensure adherence to agreed parameters.
3. Priority ticket holders have been offered a free breakfast as they leave site, which will reduce noise levels as they return home.
4. The amplified main stage will switch over to headphone performances from midnight, reducing the impact of late-night noise.

If you feel sound levels on the night are excessive, please call one of the following numbers:

Direct contact to management during event (if you text this number please leave your name, contact & address details to enable the team to respond to the concern): 07541 457287

Direct contact to Royal Holloway campus security: 01784 443063

Runnymede Borough Council (Safer Runnymede): 01932 425060

The Summer Ball site sometimes struggles with poor mobile phone signal. If you are unable to speak to a member of staff, we would be grateful if you could try again a few minutes later, or text the direct contact number.

The Students’ Union is liaising with Runnymede Borough Council Environmental Health staff, and with other partner agencies, to ensure any disturbance is kept to a minimum. We would like to take this opportunity to thank local community groups for their continued engagement through the Royal Holloway and Runnymede Consultative Group, and apologise in advance should this annual event unduly impact your evening.

Yours faithfully,
Tony Logan
Chief Executive Officer