Help raise funds for charity at vintage tea party

We’re inviting you to our vintage-themed tea party in aid of Barnardo’s on Thursday, July 7 from 3pm.

As part of our Summer Open Week, which runs from July 4 until 10, we decided it would be fun to host a tea party in aid of charity. We decided on Barnardo’s as it is marking its 150th birthday this year and we’re very impressed with the work it does so wanted to help out in some way.

We’ve decided to transform our Elm Tree restaurant into a tea party wonderland with a vintage 1940s theme. We’ll be offering afternoon teas, which include unlimited tea and coffee for £6.99 per-person or £3.99 per child.

The cakes for the afternoon tea will be donated by Ministry of Cake and Cakesmiths and our suppliers Clifton Coffee, Birchall Tea, Pyne’s of Somerset, MJ Baker, Phillip Dennis and Arthur David have also donated goods for us to use to prepare food for the party.

At the event you will be able to find out more about the work Barnardo’s does and chat to representatives as well as enjoy themed music from the Lazy Swing Band from 3pm until 5pm and the Apple County Chorus at 5.30pm. We are hoping to just cover our costs and donate around 60-70% of our proceeds to the charity.

There will be a variety of children’s activities taking place during the event including a treasure hunt, a ‘stick the smile on the Cheshire Cat’ game, colouring in and the chance to make card people, rabbit masks, pink flamingos and heart paper chains.

Tickets for the party are available from our reception desk or via www.monktonelmgardencentre.co.uk.

The donations from the event will be used to support some of the services provided by Barnardo’s in Somerset.

In the area the charity is responsible for the Family Link Service, which supports children with complex health needs or life-limiting conditions and the Mandala Therapy and Play Service, which offers specialised therapeutic support to children who have experienced trauma or abuse.

Barnardo’s also works in partnership with Knightstone Housing Association to deliver the Somerset Integrated Domestic Abuse Service to support families with children who have experienced domestic abuse.

Michael Hammond, Somerset Locality Manager at Barnardo’s, said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Monkton Elm Garden & Pet Centre and thank them for their great support in setting up this fundraising event as part of our 150th anniversary.

“Some people might be surprised to know that Barnardo’s works with hundreds of families and children on a weekly basis in Somerset. We are often inundated with requests for help and the money raised by the tea party will go directly into our local budget and make a difference to families and children in the community.”

During the Summer Open Week you will receive double loyalty points on your member card and can enjoy a barbecue every day from 12noon until 4.30pm on the restaurant patio.

There will be a variety of offers throughout the week as well as gift food tastings and the chance to claim a free plant worth £6.99.