With the 80s Society grooving into their very successful first year, nominated for ‘Best New Society’ at this year’s Societies ball, I speak to the 80s Society committee to find out more.
President: Leah Hewerdine
Treasurer: Max Lawson
Secretary: Laura Shipp
Social secretary: Kiran Hayre
How has your first year been as a society?
It’s been great – so much fun! We’ve been really overwhelmed with the interest in The 80s Society. So far we’ve got around 50 members, which is so much more than we expected. Getting nominated for ‘Best New Society’ at this year’s Societies Ball, as well as our Treasurer Max Lawson receiving a Crest award for his contribution to the SU, was even better!
What are you most proud of?
Gaining so many members in just our first year has got to be one of our biggest achievements. However, we’re also proud of how our committee managed to turn around an event in such a rapid amount of time. We had originally planned to go roller skating in Wembley, however on the afternoon of the event we found out that the company we had booked through had been operating fraudulently, then we decided it was in everyone’s best interest and safety not to go through with this event. After contacting the police and liaising with the SU we managed to arrange to go ice skating in Guildford – it just so happened that night was a retro night! It turned out to be such a great night, with over 35 people attending. We’re so proud of everyone in the committee for the rapid turnaround.
What can your members look forward to for the rest of the year?
We’ve got so many events coming up – from Karaoke Nights in Stumble Out (March 21st – 20:30-22:30), to one of our biggest events of the year – our night out in London at an 80s club, so keep your eyes peeled! We’ve also got our regular Mario Kart competitions happening again soon in Medicine, as well as a Dirty Dancing cinema trip in the planning. As something a bit different, we’re taking part in a photoshoot for Royal Holloway’s ‘Women Inspire’ campaign, a campus wide event highlighting RHUL’s suffragette link, where we’ll be dressing up as inspirational women from the 80s!
I’ve heard you’ve done a lot for charity, can you tell me more?
As well as getting involved with Community Action to work with the National Trust in conserving the landscape at Cooper’s Hill, we are most proud of our recent ‘Leg Warmathon’. Three members of our committee, plus some of our members wore legwarmers all week; around campus, around Staines, wherever we went! We raised £473.00 for the British Red Cross Syrian Crisis Appeal which is more than we ever imagined, and is for such an invaluable cause.
Why should people join The 80s Society?
We’re an incredibly inclusive society – it doesn’t matter what degree you study, where you’re from or what your interests are, 80s Society have something for everyone. 80s nights at the SU are always really popular, and we’re just an extension of these nights. We’re just a bit of fun – a bit of a distraction from the more serious side of university!
How can people get involved?
The best way to get involved is to contact us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. We have a strong social media presence and love seeing what our members get up to at our events. Alternatively, just come along to our regular movie or Mario Kart nights to meet our members. Don’t forget to tune into our 80s radio show at Mondays 4-5pm on Insanity Radio to get a taste of the 80s yourself, which was also nominated for Best Speciality Show at Societies Ball!
Make sure to check out the 80s society Spotify playlist for the finest retro tunes, found at ‘RHUL 80s Society Soundclash’.