Raise a Cup of Tea this coming VE Day!

The street parties and parades may not be going ahead as planned, but there are still lots of ways we can celebrate the special VE Bank Holiday weekend including an Afternoon Tea Party.

VE Day 2020A Virtual Tea Party

In the true spirit of ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’ – or should that be ‘Keep Calm and Drink Tea’? – we won’t let Covid-19 stop the way we remember the declaration of victory and end of the Second World War. In times like these, we can still come together, celebrate and keep hope that we will indeed ‘Meet Again’ very soon, in person.

A perfect way to do this is to create your own 1940s style Afternoon Tea Party at home instead of out on the streets. Video calls are fast becoming the norm and so we can still interact with our loved ones and raise a cup or two of your favourite tea together.

Get The Bunting Ready

It wouldn’t be a true British celebration if we didn’t get the bunting up! Many of us have embraced new skills of crafting and getting creative in lockdown. The BBC have started the ‘Great British Bunting’ project explaining how to make your own and asking to display them in your windows over the weekend.

“You can use any paper, cereal boxes, string, ribbon, sweet wrappers, felt pens, poster paint you have or whatever you can find.

“You can decorate your bunting with pictures of whatever inspires you, whether it’s those who fought on the frontline, worked hard on the Homefront, or whether it’s a celebration of enduring peace or even your own personal hero.”

Share your bunting with pride on social media using #GreatBritishBunting, #VEDay75 and #BBCMakeaDifference.

Tea, Cakes, Sandwiches & More

Food and drink play a big role in any celebration and of course we have our very own Afternoon Tea blends:

Royal Afternoon Tea

Tightly rolled pearls of black tea. Aromatic and slightly smoky. A mild taste yet full-bodied. This delightful black gunpowder tea can be enjoyed at any time of the day but is especially suited as an accompaniment to savoury sandwiches or scones with clotted cream and jam. Enjoyed with or without milk.

English Afternoon Tea

A fine blend of Chinese and Darjeeling teas with a hint of Lapsang Souchong, giving very mild smokiness. Smooth and easy. The ideal companion of cucumber sandwiches and cakes.

Classic British Party Food Suggestions

Savoury:

  • 10 Classic Finger Sandwiches for Afternoon Tea:
    • Cucumber
    • Egg Mayonnaise and Cress
    • Smoked Salmon with Dill and Cream Cheese
    • Prawn and Mayonnaise
    • Chicken and Mayonnaise
    • Ham and Mustard
    • Beef and Horseradish
    • Tuna and Mayonnaise
    • Roasted Vegetables and Cream Cheese
    • Cheese and Chutney
  • Sausage rolls
  • Scotch eggs
  • Coronation Chicken
  • Potato Salad
  • Pork Pies

Sweet:

  • Scones with Jam and Clotted Cream
  • Victoria Sponge Cake
  • Eton Mess
  • Fairy Cakes
  • Lemon Drizzle Cake
  • Trifle

‘Nation’s Toast to the Heroes of WW2’

At 3pm on Friday 8th May, the official ‘VE Day 75’ toast will be taking place. So please raise a cup from the safety of your own home and toast:

“To those who gave so much, we thank you”, using this unique opportunity to pay tribute to the many millions at home and abroad that gave so much to ensure we all enjoy and share the freedom we have today.

The Queen and Doorstep Singing

Friday’s official celebrations will be rounded off by an address from The Queen at 9pm, followed by the nation coming together to sing Dame Vera Lynn’s ‘We’ll Meet Again’. It’s sure to be a poignant moment in the celebrations.

We at The Tea House wish you a great weekend and don’t forget to share your Tea Party photos with us on Instagram or on Facebook or Twitter .

 

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