Happy and memorable tea party to celebrate Queen’s Platinum Jubilee

Congleton residents had a day to remember, as they celebrated the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee at a fifties themed Tea Dance & Afternoon Tea in the Town Hall. The special event organised by Congleton Town Council was enjoyed by more than 100 invited guests from the community.

Congleton Town Mayor, Cllr Margaret Gartside welcomed everybody to the occasion. Cllr Gartside said: “It was delightful to take party goers on a trip down memory lane with 50s music playing and footage from the Queens Coronation. Andrew and Jenny Bell of Love to Dance did an amazing job hosting the sequence tea dance and scrumptious cream teas were laid on the beautifully decorated tables. Guests chatted with friends old and new and had a wonderful afternoon reminiscing and celebrating the Queen’s historic milestone. Thank you to Congleton Partnership Senior Forum and Congleton Town Council for funding the event.”

One of the care homes taking up their invite was Greengables. Rimone Brady, Wellbeing Co-ordinator at Greengables accompanied six guests to the Town Hall. She said: “Thank you so much from all the team at Greengables for a fantastic afternoon, our residents had an amazing time, the food and music were fantastic. It was so lovely to see and be part of the community again.”

The organiser behind the afternoon, Rachel McCarthy from the town council said: “In addition to care homes, we contacted the Befriending & Snow Angels Service to provide us with a list of names. Customers of The Old Saw Mill Lunch Club received an invitation with their weekly meals on wheels. It was extremely heart-warming helping volunteer Amanda Wrench on her delivery round and seeing the big smile the invite put on peoples faces. There are a number of residents who are already known to us that required help during Covid times, all of whom were on the guest list.”

Rachel continues: “The council would like to thank everyone who helped to make it such a special day - Mark’s Events for the food, Congleton Air Cadets, Community bus drivers (Doug Parker & Glen Williams) who helped to transport residents, Cllr Kay Wesley and volunteers Francesca McCarthy & Shaun Radcliffe. Thank you to everyone who attended, it was lovely to see you all having such fun.”