No expense was spared to honour the Queen when arrangements were made for a Royal Tea Party organised by St John’s Church, Midsomer Norton, celebrating Her Majesty’s 90th Birthday. Tickets went like hot cakes and 85 guests packed into a stunning and patriotically festooned church hall.

Master of Ceremonies and Church Warden, Tony Daniels, welcomed the assembled gathering, giving a special mention to a party from Highbridge, the Revd Christopher Chiplin’s former parish. Fr Christopher was invited to say a Royal Grace, following which the tea commenced.

The strikingly attractive purple themed tables were laden with sumptuous arrays of food – slates with a delicious variety of finger sandwiches and cake stands full of mouth-watering cakes and pastries. Oven fresh scones were brought to the table,

accompanied by clotted cream and preserves. Certainly an afternoon tea fit for a Queen!

Between each element of the tea, songs from each of the Queen’s nine decades were sung, led by an especially formed mixed choir. Heather Hill and David Moore provided piano accompaniment, while the Revd Jim Balliston-Thicke gave splendid backing and improvisation on the drums. British icons were represented with Cliff Richard and the Beatles and a medley of war-time favourites raised the roof.

The Loyal Toast was eloquently proposed by Mr Colin Tincknell OBE, who had the privilege of meeting the Queen during his investiture. A glass of bubbly was raised and enjoyed by all.

Before the final set of patriotic, flag-waving songs, Fr Christopher proposed a toast to the seven nonagenarians present, 1926 was obviously a very good year!

The afternoon concluded with the National Anthem and a heartfelt three cheers to her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Report by Diane Chiplin