Take Tea for CCT this June

The unusual Norman striped-walled St Mary’s Church in Higham and the grandiose Victorian Christ Church, Waterloo are just some of the historic churches across the country hosting a special Midsummer Tea Party over the weekend of 16 and 17 June.

Hosted by CCT's Friends and volunteers the Midsummer Tea Parties aim to raise thousands of pounds, which will go towards the upkeep of individual churches as well as the Trust’s conservation and regeneration projects. These projects range from conserving medieval doors to adapting churches for community use such as a wellbeing centre.

Drink tea and eat cake in aid of CCT: for a donation visitors can enjoy taking tea in a historic environment whilst doing their bit to save churches at risk. Each event will centre around a traditional summer tea party and will be unique to the community that created it – special events taking place for 2012 include insert key events in your area

Find out what's happening where you are

Loyd Grossman, Chairman, Churches Conservation Trust, said:  

“Our national Midsummer Tea Party is the perfect opportunity for all the family to enjoy tea in unique historic churches across the country. At the Churches Conservation Trust  we love to see our buildings being used as places for local gatherings. What better reason to get together than for that very English tradition of a nice cup of tea and a slice of cake?”

Crispin Truman, Chief Executive, Churches Conservation Trust, said: 

“The Midsummer Tea Party is a key event in our national events calendar and has raised almost £30,000 over the past two years. We are unable to do the work we do without the support of our many volunteers who help us care for our churches and who each year get organise increasingly more creative Midsummer Tea Party events on our behalf.”

Some highlights are: 

• At Higham, Kent, a recreation of the wedding feast of Dickensian matriarch Miss Havisham
• At Hove, Sussex, grand piano music from promising young musician Aidan Lugton
• At Northampton, a celebration of faith in Northampton at the town’s oldest sacred site
• At Waterloo, Merseyside, a children's fancy dress Midsummer Tea Party
• At Bristol, St Thomas the Martyr, a fun day for all the family including face painting, music & much more!
• At York, Goodramgate, tea party fun for everyone
• At Worcester, the St Swithun's festival and an afternoon tea party

* Please note some events take place on different dates please check the events listings for exact dates, times & locations