St Cuthbert’s College Summer Ball has been cancelled today just hours before it was due to start. The decision to cancel the event was made by the University, in consultation with Durham County Council Public Health and County Durham Safety Advisory Group. The announcement came on 1.30pm, less than three hours before the first guests were meant to board a bus for an event due to start at 7pm. The University has said that they had taken this “difficult decision” following advice from the County Durham Safety Advisory Group and Durham County Council Public Health. The event had been rearranged at Hardwick Hall after Derwent Manor pulled out as a venue for balls for seven colleges.