Graduation 2021 – Joining Instructions for Members of the Academic Procession

Joining Instructions

Please click the link(s) below to view the memorandum for your relevant ceremony:

Ceremony One – Friday 8th October 2021, 11am

Ceremony Two – Friday 8th October 2021, 3pm

Ceremony Three – Friday 8th October 2021, 6pm

Ceremony Four – Saturday 9th October 2021, 11am

Ceremony Five – Saturday 9th October 2021, 3pm

Ceremony Six – Saturday 9th October 2021, 6pm

VIP Lunch

If you are attending a 11am ceremony:
After the Graduation ceremony please make your way to The Minories Art Gallery for the celebratory reception. The VIP lunch will be served in the Ballroom at approximately 12.30pm. A member of staff will escort you to the lunch which will be served upstairs in the Ballroom.

If your first ceremony of the day is 3pm:
Please arrive at The Minories Art Gallery for the VIP lunch at around 12.15pm. Lunch will be served in the Ballroom at approximately 12.30pm. Please give your name to the security guard on the door who will allow you to enter without a ticket. A member of staff will escort you to the lunch which will be served upstairs in the Ballroom.

If your first ceremony of the day is 6pm:
If you are only attending a 6pm ceremony we have not included you in the VIP lunch, this is due to the long wait between the lunch finishing and your ceremony starting. You are, of course, welcome to attend the post-ceremony reception, which takes place after your ceremony at The Minories Art Gallery.

Gowning

Where this has been requested, your gown will be available to collect on the day of your ceremony from the Council Chamber at Colchester Town Hall.

Ceremony Run Through

You are welcome to attend the ceremony run through which will take place at the Moot Hall on Thursday 7th October 2021 at 3pm.

Car Parking

Please make your way to the back of Colchester Town Hall where reserved parking will be available. Parking is not available at The Minories Art Gallery.

You cannot access the Town Hall car park via Colchester High Street, instead travel to the car park via the Dutch Quarter – click here for a map.

COVID-19 Safety

Our graduation ceremonies won’t be socially distanced. However, the wearing of a face covering is optional and we welcome anyone to wear a mask as they wish.

We ask all staff and guests to take a lateral flow test before they attend their ceremony.

Hand sanitiser and wipes will be distributed throughout the venues.