Carleen Village Tea Treat returns to Cornwall after 32 years

As the sun shone down in Cornwall, the Carleen Tea Treat revival was held at the playing field by the village hall.

The revival was a joint venture between Carleen Village Hall and the Great Wheal Vor Community and Environment Group.

People arrived with homemade flags and banners of all colours and sizes. Once assembled, they were given a safety brief and at 2.15pm were led out of the field, with Breage and District Silver Band taking the lead.

Procession led by Breage and District Silver Band

People of all ages and sizes took part in the procession, which was lead by marshals towards Trew Road, and into Trew where they were greeted by a welcome party and a small group with flags from Canada and Australia.

Eventually, they arrived at Trew Green. After a brief rest and some music from folk musicians, there was dancing on the Green to a specially composed folk music, by Pip Wright.

After the dancing, the procession proceeded back to the village hall for the tea treat buns and cakes, donated by volunteers.

The procession in Carleen with beautiful weather

Under the musical director Ruben Hesser, Breage and District Silver Band played a selection of well-known songs under a gazebo, to protect them from the extremely warm weather Cornwall has witnessed over the past few weeks.

Children enjoyed fair games outside, with a puppet show and prizes for awarded flags and games.

Indoors a projector was set up with many old photographs of Tea Treats from the past shown, bringing back memories for many of the older generation attending.

In the evening there was a Ceilidh held which was well attended and because of the weather, they were able to enjoy it outside.

The puppet show for all ages on the playing field.

Phil Bates said: "We were thrilled to see so many people enjoying a village event. In fact, this was not only a revival of the Tea Treat after 32 years, but possibly the largest public event in Carleen since the massive popularity of Tea Treats was long gone when there were two silver bands in attendance.

Robyn Matthews who attended with her young children said: “There was something for everyone and a lovely community vibe. Really hope the Tea Treat and barn dance, which was awesome, is here to stay!”

"Thanks go to all the volunteers and raffle prize donators as well as, South West Loos, Trevena Cross Nursery, and Kota for their generous raffle prizes and finally to the kind motorists who waited for the procession to pass."

Cakes, cakes and more cakes!