Prom saved from disaster... by Domino’s pizzas and a priest!
Party goes on after power cut at 5-star hotel
IT was supposed to be a magical night to celebrate the end of their time at secondary school.
But a class of S6 students were left devastated when their glittering prom was cancelled – due to a power cut.
Around 125 pupils from St Peter the Apostle High School in Clydebank, Dunbartonshire, arrived at the five-star Mar Hall Hotel in Bishopton, Renfrewshire, for Thursday’s party, only to be told it could not go ahead.
Many of the teenagers, some of whom had spent hundreds of pounds on their outfits, were left ‘bawling their eyes out’ – until the school chaplain and local parish priest stepped in to prevent a prom night disaster.
Father Paddy Boyle and Father Aidan Martin quickly arranged for food to be delivered to St Stephen’s Church Hall, where the youngsters also enjoyed a disco.
The pupils had been expecting an a la carte meal but were instead treated to Domino’s pizzas, paid for by the school. A post on Twitter stated: ‘Despite power cut, S6 now having a brilliant night.
‘They have filled the dance floor, partying like they mean it! Thanks to Fr Martin at St Stephens Dalmuir #savedtheday.’
But some parents still criticised the school for ‘poor preparation’ after spending hundreds of pounds on outfits for what was meant to be a glitzy event at a luxury venue. One mother, Lisa, said her daughter was ‘bawling her eyes out’ upon hearing the news.
She added: ‘It’s a real shame. We spent hours preparing for prom. I spent more than £200 on her dress and it seems like a waste. It’s poor preparation from the school.’
Another parent posted on social media that the cancellation ‘ruined the most important night in their [the pupils’] lives’.
A spokesman for the school said Mar Hall had agreed to fully refund the £45 each pupil had paid and to host the event free at a later date.
Mar Hall said: ‘The power went off at 5.38pm. ScottishPower could not guarantee the power would resume before 11pm. We are extremely sorry but the situation was beyond our control and there was nothing further we could do.’