By Judy Barlow, Citizen Journalist

If a cup of tea is just your cup of tea, then here’s a cup of tea you won’t want to miss out on.

Photo courtesy of Prospect Lake and District Community Association

Whether you long for a nice cuppa or just enjoy dress-up, the fourth annual Jane Austen Tea Party provides an afternoon retreat from the stress of daily living. Relax in the ambient surroundings of an English country garden. Bask in summer sunshine or linger in the shade. Stroll through lush gardens or tour an on-site winery. Whatever you want – it’s your day.

Hosted by the Starling Lane Winery and Heritage Farm, the Jane Austen Tea has drawn a sell-out crowd for the last three years, many donning period costumes. “People like to dress up in period costumes,” says Josephine Hoskins, one of the event organizers. “Probably about 80% come in costume. Or they just come in pretty summer dresses and hats. It’s not required though. They just like it.”

But it’s not just about pulling a vintage dress out of your tickle trunk and sipping tea donated by the Silk Road. Everyone involved in the fundraiser is volunteering their time, expertise and resources to make it a go-to gala; a magical recreation of an idyllic summer day in the romantic era inhabited by Jane Austen’s iconic characters.

Upon arrival, guests are greeted with a glass of punch and seated al fresco under the trees at tables set with heritage linens and charming vintage bone china and silver.

While a live ensemble plays period pieces, songstress Elizabeth Bennett strolls among the tables singing musical numbers from the past. Those who want to know the future can consult tea leaves with a wandering seer. British actress Kim Hicks chats with guests in the guise of a Jane Austen heroine and performs vignettes from Jane’s novels as she too moves from guest to guest.

The Jane Austen tea began as an experiment – a fundraising idea to cover some of the costs of major renovations for the Prospect Lake and District Community Association facilities. This is where Josephine Hoskins (Victoria Vintage China Rentals) comes in.

Josephine had always loved beautiful bone china and brought quite a bit with her from England. When her daughter wanted to use vintage china at her wedding reception Josephine bought enough at local thrift stores to serve 200. “Then some of her friends wanted some too, so we started to rent it out. Now we have enough for 200 – 250 people,” she adds. But it’s not only china she rents. It’s not uncommon for someone to come for china and leave with carpets and furniture.

With a rueful look she glances around at piles of dishes, rolled up carpets just returned from an event, and a vintage pram. “It’s all over the place. It takes up a lot of space … It really was my daughter’s idea, but when I looked into it I saw that they were doing quite a bit of it in Britain and I knew that it could be successful… Young people don’t want the china in their homes, but they do like it so they’re happy to rent it for their weddings and showers.”

So Josephine had a handle on the serving pieces, but where to hold it? Enter Jackie Wrinch (Starling Lane Winery) and her exquisitely landscaped heritage farm and winery.

With Josephine’s china, and Jackie’s venue, the event proved to be a huge success, so much so that they later expanded it to two days.But now the committee faced a challenge; a shortage of china. So they sent out a request in a newsletter for donations of china cups and saucers. “People sent in all sorts of china.” says Josephine. “We still get donations of beautiful china. Most of the china for the tea comes from our business but it’s supplemented by the community donations. It helps because there’s not always time to wash 400 cups for turnaround service.”

With tickets limited to 200 per day, Josephine notes, “It’s a good fundraiser, very popular, but it sells out very quickly.” Tickets are available at all Dig This locations as well as Copeland Music in Brentwood Bay and Save-On Gas at Sparton and W. Saanich Rd, or buy them online at www.pldca.ca .
And practice raising that pinky finger. You wouldn’t want to look gauche at the Jane Austen Tea Party.

Visit www.victoriavintagechinarentals.com for information on renting china, linens, etc.
Visit www.starlinglanewinery.com for award-winning locally made boutique wine.