LANGFORD There was an air of excitement Saturday afternoon at the Langford Community Church Women’s Group annual Victorian Tea.
“It’s like a high tea, so it’s finger sandwiches, scones with Devon cream and black currant jam, and a variety of sweets as a third course, served with tea, lemonade and ice water,” said Joyce Smith, president of the group.
All of it was presented in elegant style at the Brant County church on Colborne Street East, east of Brantford
“It sounds so simple but it takes a lot of work to put it together,” said Smith.
The fundraiser started in 2007 but it had to take a two-year pause due to the pandemic.
“We had 13 Victorian teas before COVID.”
This year’s event was held over two days to have fewer people in the hall at one time – and it nearly sold out.
“Usually, we have this hall so crammed that we’re shoulder to shoulder,” said Smith. “And this year we felt people would not be comfortable with that, so we spread it out over two days to have about 50 people each day.”
Although it happens in May, renowned for the Victoria Day long weekend, that is more of a coincidence for the Langford Victorian Tea.
“We decided years ago that we liked an excuse to pull out the silver and the china that we never use otherwise,” laughed Smith.
“We just like the pretty things, and the date is more coincidental. Teas tend to be in the spring, May or June, and we chose early May because people get so busy the closer you get to summer.”
The women’s group, which draws members from the area around Langford and from Brantford, went to a formal tea room that served high tea to learn the fine details.
“We quized them and got their advice on what to serve and how to serve it,” said Smith. “Always use black currant jam. Always use real Devon cream. Scones, for certain, and finger sandwiches and rolled sandwiches.”
This year, they added a Victoria’s Boutique featuring “unique gifts and delectable sweets” to replace their live entertainment. It included jewelry, knickknacks, baked goods, homemade sweets and jams and teaware.
“Ladies love to shop, especially after having a tea,” Smith said.
Funds raised will support a number of missions, renovations at the church and disaster relief.
“We just donated $1,300 to the Ukrainian relief through Samaritan’s Purse,” Smith noted.