Downton Abbey is a phenomenon, no question about it. Many of us have fallen prey to the charming Masterpiece Theatre production that examines the world of the Manor Houses of Edwardian England.
There are now Downton Abbey themed dinners, parties, dances and teas. On Saturday, June 1st, 2013, the Parish of St. Stephen the Martyr, Burquitlam presented an English Tea in the Style of Downton Abbey and they did an amazing job.The Tea was the beginning of St. Stephen’s centennial celebrations and if the June 1st event was any indicator, folks from around the Diocese of New Westminster need to sit up and take notice of this quiet parish and consider attending one or more of the other events scheduled for the fall.
Not that the folks at St. Stephen need much help. There were two sittings for the Tea, 11-1pm and 2-4pm with 64 seats available at both and both sittings sold out 10 days before the event.
The St. Stephen Parish Hall is a bright and cheerful room with large windows and a very pleasant garden surrounding the north and east walls. The organizers had done a superb job with the décor, transforming a bright and welcoming space into a bright and welcoming space that could certainly have been a large sun room in an English manor house on a bright, late spring afternoon.
The service was impeccable, with a cadre of servers and footmen walking up and down the large aisle space with teapots and tiered serving plates featuring tempting sandwiches and homemade desserts. The food and drink were served as courses at a leisurely pace with lots of time in-between to talk and visit and enjoy the experience. Each sitting began with an enthusiastic rendition of God Save the KIng and then the musical chores were turned over to Celtic Harpist, Clarity who set the mood perfectly with appropriate period music.
Elaine Renforth one of the principal organizers of the event said, “In March 2013, the question was asked... what if we could really put on a Downton Abbey Style Tea? On Saturday, June 1st, 2013 we discovered that yes we could – what a wonderful day it truly was. A great start to our 100th Anniversary Celebration.”
The other principal organizer, Colleen Butterley remarked, “For me, the highlight of the Tea was watching the astonished faces of our parishioners as they walked through the doors of, not their own church hall, but an elegant grand British parlour decorated with one hundred year old treasures and white satin chair covers, whilst enjoying the scent of lovely pink roses and a hint of bergamot.”
And Sarah Pridy who was turned out perfectly in the style of Downton housekeeper, Mrs. Hughes said, “The Hall was transformed into a real Edwardian Tea Room. It was thrilling to see Colleen and Elaine’s vision come to life in a sea of flowers and feathers.”
Congratulations to the folks at St. Stephen the Martyr, Burnaby.
The Summer issue of Topic due in homes, the end of July, beginning of August will have details of St. Stephen’s centennial celebrations programming and information can be found in the Calendar section of the diocesan website.
PHOTOS: Top, a maid serves a tiered serving tray of cakes and sandwiches. Middle right, there is a lot of activity “downstairs.” Lower left, the Centrepiece of roses. Below, a maid moves a tea tray down the aisle between the first (a warm, fresh scone with homemade clotted cream and sweet raspberry jam) and second (selection of delicious and delicate handcrafted sandwiches based on period recipes) courses. Below two, some of the principals and organizers; left to right, seated: Elaine Renforth, Colleen Butterely, the Vicar (in a great hat) the Reverend Gary Hamblin, Mrs. Joy Hamblin. Standing Bob Rusch (footman), Amanda Bowie (maid), Sarah Pridy (housekeeper).