Victorian Tea

It was May Day today and to help celebrate, I had the opportunity to step back in time to attend a Victorian Tea in the Cathedral's great hall.

After taking our seats at one of the beautifully laid wee tables, it wasn’t long before G. and I were served the first of many cups tea, poured from a silver teapot by a waiter elegantly clad in black suit and tie. Just as we were savouring our first sips of tea, it was time to stand to welcome Queen Victoria, who was led into the hall by a piper. Accompanied by the lilting notes of the bagpipes, the Queen acknowledged her loyal followers as she passed by while making her way to her seat at the head table. A rousing rendition of “God Save the Queen” rang out, then back down we all sat to continue with our tea just as small plates arrived holding tiny tea sandwiches and a lovely assortment of cookies, tiny cakes and fresh strawberries, ingeniously separated by a folded paper doily.

As we sampled the generous assortment of yummies we were entertained with a Maypole Dance. A group of young girls, with white flowered garlands around their heads, bobbed in and out, their ribbons weaving a pattern around the May Pole and once done, they danced in the other direction to undo it all again. More cups of tea. Next, a distinguished gentleman in a Victorian frock coat serenaded the tea drinkers with a series of Victorian love songs, accompanied by a pianist on a grand piano. More cups of tea.

And then came the fashion show. As we sipped our tea from the most lovely fine china teacups, a wide assortment of vintage fashion was paraded before us. Some of the items were very high fashion indeed, with such names as Armani, Valentino, Versace and Louis Féraud, to name just a few. Best of all, the items had been donated for re-sale after the Tea. Great buys were to be had if one had the temerity to join with the determined throng of other bargain hunters who stampeded down the steps to the Nearly New Shoppe at the end of the Victorian Tea. Reluctant to relinquish the relaxed atmosphere, G. and I remained behind to relish our last sips of tea. Having consumed a prodigious amount over the two hours, we made our way decorously downstairs to the bargains, where hardly a fashion show item was still to be found. I did manage to find the $15 Armani pants which I tried on but, alas, were too tight. Perhaps it was all the tea I had drunk. My chance to own a pair of Italian designer pants would have to wait for another day!