Warwick University: The Final Fling, Coombe Abbey Country Park and Hotel

Warwick University: The Final Fling, Coombe Abbey Country Park and Hotel.

by Pete Clemons

Coombe Abbey country park and hotel, situated on the edge of Coventry, has had a tumultuous history since it was first built as a monastery during the 12th century. The building itself has ties to royalty and even the gunpowder plot. But since it opened up to the public, well over quarter century ago, it quickly built up a reputation for its party nights. Adding to the success of its long established medieval evenings.

And for a few years Coombe Abbey became the venue for final year university students, from both Warwick and Birmingham, and who were having a last bash before they set out on their chosen paths or careers.

The Final Fling was, as it sounds, a party to celebrate the end of several years of studies. It was organised by the Warwick University Students Union Entertainments Team. And was a majestic way of saying goodbye to their time in Coventry and Birmingham as well as giving them a night to remember.

Going back in time, it was not unusual for Coombe Abbey to have festivals. I seem to remember a weekend folk happening during the mid 1990s. Liberty X and Blazin Squad appeared there in the early 2000s. And more recently both The Libertines and Tom Grennan appeared there. But those were one off's occasions and not regular events.

The huge university event bash would normally involve a sit down meal for hundreds, maybe even thousands, of graduates followed by fairground and all manner of entertainment. In huge marquees a stellar line up wowed the leaving students as they said their farewells to a soundtrack of the sounds of the time. Clowns and jugglers, break dancers and stilt walkers along with a banquet, dozens of balloons completed the festive atmosphere.

Like all events of this nature, boundaries were pushed. And, as time went on, the event grew in size. Initially there was just the one stage but over time a second arena was added. There was even a casino with free chips on arrival and all the gaming tables you could possibly wish for including craps, roulette and blackjack, a spectacular fireworks display, outdoor entertainment and a fairground of wondrous beauty.

From Feeder and Idlewild to The Scissor Sisters appeared at these grand events. A then rising Amy Winehouse also made an exclusive appearance. Additionally, DJs from the student union's most popular nights also went along to the Coombe party. Apart from those DJ's I have tried to compile a list of the star attractions below:


2003 Supergrass

2004 Amy Winehouse, Scissor Sisters, Ash, Spooks

2005 The Zutons, GLC

2006 Idlewild, Sugababes, Nizlopi

2007 Hard Fi, The Automatic, Example, The Ripps

2008 Feeder, The Wombats

2009 Basement Jaxx / Pigeon Detectives

But then, disappointingly for the finalists, it was announced during 2010 that the traditional send-off would be replaced with ‘Six Days of Summer’ from the Thursday of week Nine until the Tuesday of week Ten in term three. That period would also incorporate The Graduation Ball and The Summer Party during one huge outdoor festival. Maybe things had just got too big and grand. Who knows.