Stanhoe news
A very special tea
The June meeting of Stanhoe and Barwick WI was organised as a Jubilee Tea in the Reading Room, to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee 2022 in style with our loyal members.
photos: Rosemary Brown
A tea to remember
It all started off with each member receiving a formal invitation several weeks beforehand.
On the day, members arrived with plates of delicious food, both savoury and sweet, which eventually filled a table running the length of the room.
The room itself had been beautifully decorated by the committee with the WI bunting, Union flags and flower arrangements. The tables were dressed with the flowery WI tablecloths, and our vintage WI cups, saucers, and plates – too fragile for use at ordinary meetings – were used and much talked about.
Members assembled in small chatty groups around the room (it was suggested that about 40 ladies were present). The proceedings commenced with a medley of unaccompanied folk songs performed by Harmonise, a choir based in Fakenham, in which some of our members sing.
It was not long before everyone was invited to help themselves to food, accompanied by tea or coffee, and non-alcoholic punch. We all ended up being far too full of the delicious food eaten in a relaxed atmosphere.
…yet more food
Our president then woke us all up by announcing that a Jubilee quiz had been arranged, involving five questions on events that had taken place in the year of each previous Jubilee. Most of us struggled to remember accurately a great deal as we were so full!
Waiting for quiz questions
Harmonise then treated us to a boisterous selection of melodies, for the last of which audience participation was encouraged. This consisted of three different songs sung at the same time, in relays, by different sections of the choir, involving both When The Saints Go Marching In and Old Man River.
The Harmonise choir with leader Linds Bestwicke
When we all thought we could eat no more, a lovely celebration cake was cut and distributed.
And finally members were all invited to help themselves to any remaining food to take home, and they hurried away with serviette wrapped parcels for later on!
It was definitely a Jubilee Celebration as we formally acknowledged the Queen’s long reign before the afternoon’s proceedings commenced; and it was a WI celebration; and a day to remember for many years to come.