THE Sun Has Got His Hat On is playing in the background as ladies in their Sunday finery take their seats.
The glorious sunshine adds to the splendid surroundings of the Camellia House at Wollaton Park, one of the two venues for Lazy Daisy’s vintage afternoon teas.
In among the delicate blooms grown in the grade II listed Regency period glass house, couples and parties of friends gather for the traditional fare.
Looking out over the manicured lawns and colourful flower beds, visitors tuck into dainty sandwiches and cakes elegantly served on pretty bone china.
Lazy Daisy is a new venture for mum-of-one Rebecca Leivers, who has named the tea parties after her late grandmother Daisy.
“We used to go round for tea and she’d have all the cakes,” she recalls from her childhood.
“I inherited her china tea set when she died. She’d want me to use it, not put it away in a cupboard,” says Rebecca, who has added to her grandmother’s 1960s Colclough Royale collection since, with help from her mum Joan, who has been tirelessly hunting down vintage teapots, cutlery and china.
Around 30 people came along to the first event at Wollaton Park – another 10 and she’d have been at full capacity.
“It’s just starting out but I’ve had a really good response and loads of good feedback,” says 34-year-old Rebecca, who lives in Sherwood.
In a massive baking session the day before, Rebecca made scones, lemon drizzle cake, carrot cake and macaroons, which are served with an array of sandwiches with fillings like salmon and cream cheese and ham and mustard.
For the occasion, which has the feel of an old-fashioned tea dance, Rebecca and her friend Stephanie Greatorex wear vintage fashions to serve the guests.
There are currently two tea parties a month, with Newstead Abbey, the ancestral home of Lord Byron, being the second venue.
“This is hopefully just the beginning,” says Rebecca, who has worked in catering since she was 16 and has spent the last seven years baking cakes for Newstead’s cafe.
As well as Lazy Daisy’s public events, she has also been booked for private functions including wedding anniversaries and a baby shower.
Afternoon tea has enjoyed a revival in recent times, with the younger generation escaping their hectic lives to indulge in the charms of a bygone era.
Rebecca says: “It’s so popular at the moment. Everyone loves tea and cake. I know I love tea and cake.
“I think it’s that sitting down and taking the time and it’s a visual thing with the china because it all looks so pretty.
“There is a real mixture of age groups. It’s quite girly. You get a table of all ladies but never a table of all men – I think they just go down the pub.”
Guest Julie Smith, of West Bridgford, hopes the afternoon teas will become a regular feature in the Camellia House after attending with her husband and mum.
She says: “The service was excellent. Rebecca even e-mailed me a recipe for the lemon drizzle cake she served that day which was the best lemon drizzle cake we have all tasted.
“Despite it being a hot day, the sandwiches were very pleasingly chilled, the homemade scones and cakes were of a high standard and the setting was in keeping with traditional afternoon tea.”
The next events are at Newstead Abbey on August 24 and Bank Holiday Monday, August 25, from 1-5pm. Booking is advisable. Afternoon tea is £15 for adults, children half-price and toddlers £5.
Telephone 07931 802679 or e-mail