Tales from a Mad Hatter's Tea Party

by Shirley Cherry, voluntary fundraiser 

Scores of scones, dozens of dollops of jam, cream by the jug load and that’s before any mention of sandwiches and cakes. Ninety-four teas were served over two sittings at The Chapel, Oxhill, Warwickshire on Mothering Sunday 11th March. Plus, a great time was had by all!  

Thanks to all the cake bakers, musicians, our fabulous face painter, our young Wonderland waiting staff, kitchen caterers and tea-cup washers-up; White Hyacinth Cake Design for the fabulous Mad Hatter Cake, Cotswold Marquees for loaning the tables, Rev Jill Tucker for the use of The Chapel, Clearway Promotions for sponsoring the print and everyone who helped to make the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party such a success. 
 
It was all rather WONDERFUL and a great example of how a local community can pull together to support a good cause, albeit in a distant, faraway land like The Gambia. Between us we raised the fabulous total of £1,437 for the African Oyster Trust. Particular thanks go to St Mary’s Church Tysoe for its very generous £250 donation (offered as match funding).
 
The money raised will be used in the Gambia to support the work of the Trust.  One of the first jobs will be to replace the roof of Jappineh Health Centre as the last one has been eaten by termites! The plan is for the director, Lady Kira Dalton, to give a talk in Tysoe about the latest projects when she returns to the UK during the Gambian rainy season. Watch this space for more details.
 
All of which just goes to show that a touch of MADNESS can pay! Once again thanks for all your generosity, time and efforts. 

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