By Rosie Napthine, Third Year, English
What do we class as a sober society? Those that offer some events sans alcohol, or ones that simply never consume it? Depending on our criteria, the margins change. For those who really see no enjoyment in the art of getting drunk, there are benefits to a society that doesn’t revolve around intoxication. With plenty groups offering sober training, sober matches, sober events, yet let off steam afterwards on Bristol’s triangle (we see you La Rocca Saturday footballers) lets spotlight those on the other end of the spectrum.
Pottery society seems a sure-fire place to start for a highly sober society. With none of its activities focussed on drinking, only creativity, it ‘gives students options to still participate in university activities without the pressure of alcohol being present.’ (Saphina Caselberg, Treasurer of the society). For the many students who may struggle with activities based around alcohol, despite choosing to abstain themselves, this is a valuable society to be in. It is also a great chance to learn a new skill that is otherwise financially inaccessible. Though pottery studios are easy enough to find, they are not so easy to fund, with most requiring high monthly payments, and the material costs on top.
This society membership with the support of the SU, covers studio access, materials and lessons in one great value yearly fee. It is also almost entirely student ran, with members such as myself, with experience in ceramics, offering the teaching in the last academic year. Not only does this keep costs lower but also provides those with the correct knowledge a chance to gain experience in a teaching setting, and a friendly learning environment. There are many other opportunities to learn more intricacies of the craft too, with technician training on offer each year.
The studio itself becomes a place of therapy, a space to unwind. Where many may choose to drink and party to release their stress, others turn to a more meditative creativity. Toby Nathan, president of Pottery society, claimed:
‘I found it to be an incredibly helpful way to unwind after a tough day and just be present in the moment during the making process instead of worrying about what work I needed to complete or revision I needed to do.’
With the studios opening times aligning with those of the Richmond Building, late night catharsis is still a valuable option for members.
‘It gives you a creative outlet and a physical space to go where you can leave your worries at the door’ (Eden Costello, Events Secretary)
The benefit also of creating something useable or useful is always an additional satisfaction.
However, with space in the studio limited, so must be the number of members. A big difference between this society and the less sober sports teams is the numbers. With societies such as football having opportunity for many different teams, from competitive to intramural, ‘PotSoc’ as it is colloquially known, takes on less than a 100, with automatic membership given to returners. Often there are hundreds of entries into the twice-yearly ballots, with the society coined as exclusive and too difficult to join. This is where the committee aim to improve.
September will mark not only the continuation of previous non-member events such as life sculpting, but the beginning of new ones also. The first in this series will be the pottery painting, aiming to use existing bisqueware to allow anyone to come in and decorate ceramics. This is a valuable way to recycle as well as open up the studio and allow those curious to ‘come along and paint a new mug, or miscellaneous ceramic in a friendly, creative environment!’ (Eden, Organiser).
With information soon to be posted on Instagram (@bristolunipotterysociety) give them a follow and keep yourself updated.
Yet ‘PotSoc’ is not the only one of its kind. Though Art Society is known for its ‘Drink and Draw’ events, which admittedly cannot be classed as fully sober, the intention of these is not to get drunk, but to meet people. These events happen most commonly at the beginning of the year, allowing students to not only venture to new places but to sit and draw in a relaxed atmosphere, meeting new likeminded people. For those wanting more daytime activities there are also regular life drawing sessions or the famed PotSoc x ArtSoc life sculpting sessions, that will be continuing this coming year.
Lucie Weston
Furthermore, we see the Falstaff Society, not only existing for our Literature students. Though they too offer socials and formals with alcohol on offer, they are keen to promote their book club. With more information coming out in preparation for next semester, this is a fantastic, relaxed space to sit and discuss ideas with new people, as well as give yourself a focus outside of studies.
As we can see, with an even wider array of non-alcoholic societies on offer than shown here, there is a society suited for all. If you are reading this and still thinking, ‘but I would rather go out clubbing’ then you need not deny yourself that satisfaction either. Have a scroll through social media, a browse of the SU website, and keep an eye out for the Give it a Go’s to find your next new thing.
Featured Image: Work by Eden Costello / Epigram / Eden Costello
Would you opt for a sober event over drinking?
