Victorian Tea

 

September 17th saw the Second annual Victorian Tea take place at the church.

Historically, Afternoon Tea was a light refreshment consisting of small "tea" sandwiches, savories, desserts and of course tea to tide over the ladies from lunch to their late evening meal at 9.00 p.m. Each lady had their day when friends and relatives would come to call, so there was a tea everyday. Many think that afternoon tea is just a ladies event, but men are often seen even today having afternoon tea.

Being English by birth it is always interesting  for me to see what a "Tea" will include, as there are many different  types of teas. A Tea can be very simple...  from visiting  a home with just tea and cookies, aka biscuits, all the way to sitting down in a fancy hotel to a formal tea with all the goodies, a harpist and even the gentleman participating in  required jacket and tie.

 Our event however was strictly for the ladies, leaving men at home to watch children and  perhaps a little football.

The Tea began with Bonnie Binkley, the President of the ECW welcoming everyone  and  a reminder to us that we are all members of the Episcopal Church Women's Group... no special invitations are required to participate. Bonnie briefly explained a little about the ECW and some of the programs that will be offered in the future.

 

Our Tea encompassed  the best elements of a traditional tea.

Wonderful food including:

                        Sandwiches -- Cucumber, Egg , Ham and Tuna Salad

                        Scones with  Raspberry Jam and Cream

                        Chocolate Éclairs and Profiteroles

                        Brownies and Sugar Cookies.

Tables Decorated with Flowers

                      

Smartly dressed women and girls in their finery

                       

 

We  did however add a few  more special  touches of our own:

 

Free drawings

                     

 

A raffle for a beautiful tea set

                       

 

Tea may not be your beverage of choice but after you have been to a tea you know that  it's not about the beverage or the food that is served, but about the fellowship that is enjoyed when we come together and enjoy a few hours of relaxed conversation .

We look forward to seeing you at our next Tea.

 Many thanks to our group of ladies who made this a success particularly Lorna Clarke our hard working chairman who I now think of as the "Scone Queen"

 

Cheerio

Tricia Moppett