Cream Tea Party - Wed 8th March 2017

When we heard about this initiative the members thought it was  a great idea and provisionally booked the Ingatestone Community Centre; with some persuasion the ladies agreed to help ( well – actually do it!!). Rotary GB&I President Eve Conway decided to make a Tea Party Event not just for polio but a celebration of International Women’s Day  - with parties across the nation on 8th March.

The day arrived and, armed with jam from Wilkin & Sons Ltd, tea bags from Typhoo and cream from Rodda

(thanks to Gill for some persuasion here as they agreed to supply for charity – we had the impression they were asked quite  a few times) plus an  absolute deluge of cakes from the cooks, the event was ready to go.

The Community Centre was set out with tablecloths, flowers and crockery raided from everyone's cupboards and so we hoped for a few attendees.

The response was overwhelming despite a gloomy afternoon we were very pleased to get about 70 people attending, one or two Rotarians but a lot of villagers. 

At its height we were really busy with treasurer Peter collecting cash at the door and ladies dressed as nippy's – and your scribe washing up. Well I know my place. Some pull-ups screens from District helped to explain the event and mid-afternoon we were graced with Mayor of Brentwood Noelle and consort John. 

We raised about £300.00; everyone had a great time – no-one left early and it helped put the club on the Ingatestone map. I still have plenty of jars of jam spare....

Correspondent Roger Harste