High Tea

A Sunday afternoon gathering for charity.

As the summer flowers start turning their heads, the dahlia and hydrangea patches still delight with vibrant autumn hues as they count down the days until the frost takes the life out of them. Combined with the orchard fruits, the flowers are picked and arranged in large urns and timber boxes early one Saturday morning in preparation for hosting a Sunday afternoon charity high tea gathering.

Ice bowls are crafted, and delectable treats and refreshments are displayed banquet style, inspiring and reminding guests that the simplest of food can be displayed artistically to transform the simple to elegant.

On this occasion, we couldn’t have asked for a better autumnal day in Canterbury. With not a breath of wind and the sun streaming as though it was a mid-summer’s day, ladies meandered through the garden, chatting and enjoying one another’s company.

Food and refreshments were enjoyed while watching floral, food and ice bowl demonstrations, providing inspiration for simple arrangements that are easily achievable in the home garden. In between demonstrations, I gathered flowers on my basket bike while glasses were being refilled.

The ladies had a thoroughly enjoyable day in the country gardens with friends, while the Project Esther Charity benefited from this fundraiser. What better cause for all of the hours of work in preparing and ensuring it was a successful day.