Charity Tea Party hosted by Rachel de Thame

Last week I attended a lovely charity tea party organised by the Dorset based ethical tea company Clipper Teas. 
It was hosted by the Gardeners World and Chelsea Flower Show presenter Rachel de Thame at Clifton Nurseries in London's Little Venice. 

All the proceeds went to Contact the Elderly - a charity that organises monthly Sunday afternoon tea parties for the elderly.

Clifton Nurseries was all ready for Christmas and filled with fabulous Christmas wreaths, decorations and Christmas trees for sale.

The hostess, Rachel de Thame all ready to receive her guests. Rachel and I go back fifteen years when we both trained together at The English Gardening School based at The Chelsea Physic Garden.

The table was set with a very pretty floral Wedgwood range called Wild Strawberry - it's hand decorated with finely drawn leaves, flowers and succulent red strawberries.

The table was also decorated with red mini Poinsettias, green trailing ivy and rustic iron-work lanterns with candles.  

Clipper Teas provided a selection of their organic teas - all in beautifully designed packaging.

We also enjoyed a selection of finger sandwiches, delicious mini quiches, pink strawberry macaroons and a few other tasty bites.

After tea we were treated to a demonstration where Rachel showed us how to create a container with winter interest.

In the centre of a very large pot she placed a Skimmia 'Rubella', at the moment covered in red flower buds and surrounded it with cyclamens and white primroses as well as a few layers of bulbs that will be ready to flower in the early spring.

After the pot planting Rachel took us on her personal tour of Clifton Nurseries pointing out the many winter flowering plants and evergreen shrubs with interesting leaves both in colour and shape.

A really enjoyable event for a superb cause hosted by the always lovely Rachel.

Have a Lovely Floral Day!

See you soon again!

xoxo Ingrid