On Saturday evening, the UVI girls, families, guests, and staff gathered for the annual Lily Ball. The evening is a highlight of the Summer Term and the final event for our Leavers and this year was once again kindly sponsored by The Calne Girls’ Association and the Parents’ Guild of St Marys.

The theme of the ball, as selected by the UVI students, was A Night at the Circus. The Founders’ Day marquee was rapidly transformed following prize giving to create a stunning ‘Big Top’ complete with red and gold drapes and festoon lighting.

A beautiful programme, the cover of which was illustrated by UVI Art Scholar Rose Byng, perfectly reflected the theme, and was represented in a vibrant colour scheme of red, white, gold, and blue. This was echoed in the table linen and circus inspired table decorations, resplendent with gold elephants, black top hats, and vibrant flowers.

In the early evening sunshine, guests enjoyed a tempting selection of canapés and fizz and posed for photographs with a circus ringmaster stilt walker who also helped to serve the nibbles! Meanwhile, the girls positioned themselves for photographs in the Victorian inspired circus ‘peep board’ created by Rose and the Art Department.

Guests enjoyed a delicious summer-themed dinner menu, the highlight of which was an indulgent mango and passionfruit cheesecake with white chocolate popping candy shard.

Dinner gave way to dancing, accompanied by the exceptional Will Blake Band. The dance floor was packed until midnight (with occasional stop offs at the Popcorn Bar!) when the Leavers of 2023 were swept off to their after-party to start the fun all over again. The evening was a sensational and exciting send off for the girls and one they will long remember as they head off into the future.