Festival atmosphere at harbourside Freshers’ Fair

Freshers' Fair 2013 at the harbourside

The Epigram stand

Press release issued: 26 September 2013

Students at the University of Bristol have taken over Bristol Harbourside as the annual Freshers’ Fair is held in the city centre for the first time. Millennium Square, Waterfront Square and the Amphitheatre have been transformed into a bustling marketplace of stalls, live music and performances from societies, sports clubs, University services and local businesses.

Millennium Square, Waterfront Square and the Amphitheatre have been transformed into a bustling marketplace of stalls, live music and performances from societies, sports clubs, University services and local businesses.

It’s the single biggest event in the University of Bristol Students’ Union (UBU) calendar and looks set to attract 10,000 students throughout the day.

The Lord Mayor of Bristol, Councillor Faruk Choudhury, launched the day before the rain eased and the crowds formed.

Amid the festival atmosphere, over 250 student-led sports clubs, societies and volunteering groups are vying to attract new members and promote extra-curricular activities.

Last year, UBU supported over 200 societies with 8,900 student members. More than 3,000 students participated across 53 sports club and UBU Volunteering was supported by 800 active members, with RAG (Raising and Giving) generating more than £100,000 for charity.

UBU President Rob Griffiths said: “It’s really exciting for us to be able to hold the fair in the heart of the city centre and it’s fantastic to see so many people with endless enthusiasm.

“The fair is a great opportunity for students to learn about what the Union does for them - helping to shape their university experience, develop their interests, represent their concerns and contribute to changes at local and national levels.”

Samantha Budd, Chief Executive of UBU, added that the growth and delivery of this year’s fair is a triumph of the continual collaboration from teams across the student body, the Union and University.