Anyone heard of the Feathers' Ball in London?

[Mrshighandmighty]

Listening to an article on Woman's Hour this morning about primary school 'Proms' (yikes!), Jane mentioned something about the Feathers Ball in London for teenagers at the end of their GCSEs or A'levels ... does anyone know what she was talking about?

[singersgirl]

I thought it was one of those debutante coming out type society balls - but I don't know much about it, never having been a debutante coming out type myself.

[MrsWoodforTrees]

It is a party / event (I think basically a disco ) for teenagers , which you can buy tickets for , and is held I think at the Ministry of Sound .

Happy to be corrected

[gremlindolphin]

I went to this in the 1980s! Glad to hear its still going. It was Just a big ball/disco event but not sure what it is now!

[TheReturnoftheSmartArse]

God yes, I went to this in the 80s too. I'm surprised I haven't heard of it more recently, seeing as it is still going - DD1 is very into that sort of thing.

[grovel]

It's a "posh" charity ball for teenagers. I hated it.

[TheReturnoftheSmartArse]

Actually, I don't think I had a great time, either. I was totally out of my depth.

[Mrshighandmighty]

Well - it seems to have died a death because I can't find it anywhere on google. Besides, I've now found out that post-GCSEs most youngsters hot-foot it over to the Reading Festival - or down to Newquay in Cornwall ... much more relaxed environment than some posh do in London!

[Copthallresident]

Mrshighandmighty I've now found out that post-GCSEs most youngsters hot-foot it over to the Reading Festival - or down to Newquay in Cornwall ... much more relaxed environment than some posh do in London! Aaaagh NO! Reading is full on but there is the music to keep them busy and slow down the alcohol intake and they tend to go in big school groups that camp together and hopefully look after each other. I did allow my daughters to go, and only harm done was a belly piercing whilst drunk that was taken out the next day. However Newquay is just about binge drinking and sex. I am very close to a friend's son (long sad story) and he is very open with me. The stories he told about the laddish sex games etc and "banter" are quite unrepeatable. However after two teenage boys died when they fell off cliffs whilst drunk, pitched battles on the beach and complaints from locals the police clamped down.www.cornwall.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=30629 (google it, the right wing press had a field day). So predictably a lot of the teens moved on. One of the places now is Val de Lobo which ironically is where another mother and I took DDs and their friends after we all banned them from Newquay a few years ago. DD2 and her friends asked a couple of us to do the same but we backed out after overhearing some conversations about what had happened there the year before....... I'm all for giving them some independence and a chance to celebrate but I think 16 is too young, or at least my 16 year olds were too young, to be put in the way of the sort of norms that prevail at these venues. Clearly from the number of legless 14 year olds in parks and recreation parks on summer nights not all parents would agree but I would ask around and do some research before you think they are going for a relaxed weekend by the sea!!!

There are a string of rite of passage balls, underage festivals etc organised for London teens at 14, 16 etc. but they gain and lose coolness year by year. No point guessing what will be in next!!