We Went to a Marvelous Party!
14th July 2007

By Roger Tunsley

Wow!

That was the word on everyone's lips as they enjoyed the wonderful garden of Fred Rice in Manchester-by-the-Sea on Saturday 15th July. Mmmm!. That was the second most commonly uttered word as all the guests enjoyed a good old British tea party.

The day dawned bright and warm and got brighter and warmer as the sun rose in a clear sky. An intrepid band of volunteers descended on Fred's garden in the late morning and proceeded to transform it into a tea party haven. The garden, for those of you who have never seen it, is a warren of winding pathways of grass and old brick, with raised beds containing lush tall shrubs and trees on each side. At every turn there seems to be a new surprise; a doll-house here, a clearing with a chair and table there. At the end of several pathways are larger seating areas, gazebos, and for one a shed with chairs and cushions resembling a rustic wooden Wendy house. This was especially popular with the lady guests who seemed to be taken back down memory lane as they sat in the shade and sipped their tea. The leafy canopy and open breezy seating areas kept a coolness in the garden that defeated the strong heat of the day. It was easy to sit back, listen to the birds and insects, smell the mixed scents of honeysuckle and rose and wish you would never have to leave.

The garden was the main draw of the day, but the tea party ran a very close second. The tea, of course, was proper. Boiling water, steeped, milk-in-first tea poured from china teapots into china cups and saucers. None of your tea-bag-in-a-cup-of-warm-water here. And the food was spectacular. Bakewell tarts, Victoria sponge, butterfly cakes, chocolate fancies, scones, trifle, and innumerable other goodies were on offer.

Out in front of the house was yet another delight, this one appealing to the men at the party. Several people were kind enough to bring their classic British sports cars. Pride of place, perhaps even the MG owners agreed, went to an immaculate and gleaming example of British engineering and American restoration - a beautiful Morgan. Also present and correct and shining like rosy-cheeked children were several MGs; a Midget and two MGBs.

The aim of the day, of course, was to have fun and raise money for the Society. Both aims were met in magnificent fashion. During the day, the society held a bake sale, a raffle, and had various British goods for sale. Many of the raffle prizes were donated by local businesses - Manchester by the Book donated an excellent landscape design book; Harbor Sweets of Salem donated chocolate, a gift bag and factory tour; Newbury Perennial Gardens gave some lovely plants for the plant stall; and North Coast store in Manchester gave a gift basket. Foodies Feast in Marblehead helped out by contributing sandwiches and scones.

Because of their generosity, the kindness of Fred Rice in opening his garden, and the hard work by members of the society and their friends, the event raised over $2300. Well done to everybody involved. When are we doing it again?