The York River Circle of The King’s Daughters and Sons recently held its “Tea For All Seasons” at Providence Baptist Church, Hayes, as a fundraiser to support scholarships and other charitable works. The Queen of England, where tea became the definition of Englishness, should take note.
Nineteen tables were formally attired in the proper table coverings and each was dressed with china reflecting the centerpieces. The centerpieces told the story of the tea’s title. Each one could represent a month or special time of the year, and three tables told the story of Gloucester. They interpreted symbols of the waterman, beehive and daffodils. Each table had at least one hostess. She made sure your tea cup was filled properly from a china teapot holding hot water. When the trays of ham biscuits, small hot quiches, chicken salad cups and small sandwiches arrived, the hostess made sure each guest was served over and over again. When the three-tiered dish of desserts appear...