What started off as a small gathering of 12 people over 10 years ago, has turned into one of the most loved and frequently attended events in the area.
‘Tea At The Riley’ is an afternoon tea party which is held monthly throughout the academic year at Bolton School. Run by a team of dedicated and passionate sixth form volunteers, the free of charge event allows different generations to connect for an afternoon of enjoyment and relaxation, always with the promise of cake! One Wednesday afternoon of every month, guests are welcomed into the Leverhulme Suite, situated on the ground floor of the Riley Centre, and are served hot and cold beverages, a variety of flavourful sandwiches and the opportunity to chat with friends both old and new.
A selection of sweet treats, baked by the volunteers themselves, allow guests to enjoy timeless classics as well as more inventive and unique baked goods, which are often seasonal or match the theme of the party. For example, the banana bread baked for the November party embodied the warm flavours of autumn, while the beloved traditional Christmas Cake proved to be a popular choice in the December gathering.
The icing on the cake, however, is that there is a different form of entertainment each month.
From musical performances to quizzes, presentations about school trips to hilarious games of bingo delivered by the sixth formers, the entertainment is a memorable highlight of every occasion. When regular attendees were quizzed on which entertainment had been their favourite, it was obvious that one annual event stole first place and continuously arrived above the rest – Beech’s House’s performance of songs from their Nativity.
“We look forward to hearing their performances every year,” smiled one guest. “They are always so proud to show us what they have been working on!”
In close second and reminisced about fondly by many attendees was the Jubilee Party in 2022, held to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the accession of Queen Elizabeth II. Participants were asked to bring an item related to the Queen and the variety of objects was astounding – one person brought a hat worn at the coronation, while another displayed an original Coronation Program!
The pandemic in 2020 had a significant effect on all communities across the country and meant that many smaller regular events have not continued, despite the circumstances returning to normality. However, Tea at the Riley has continued to thrive and with around 50 attendants each month, it has remained at the heart of both Bolton School and the local community. Nothing has shown this more than in December 2020 when restrictions were put back in place, and the team personally delivered an assortments of cakes and handmade Christmas cards to guests’ houses so that they didn’t miss out on the experience. Not even Covid could stand in the way of afternoon tea!
The recipe behind the success
The idea was originally presented by a keen sixth form volunteer who wanted to find a way of integrating the school more within the local community. After finding a group of like-minded pupils, they pitched the idea and received a grant from the school to set up the first party. This was no half baked idea; posters were displayed in village halls, churches and supermarkets and the event was even advertised in the Bolton News.
We are all familiar with how quickly word of mouth can spread and as quickly as the kettle takes to boil, the initial party of 12 guests expanded to the size it is today.
An Intergenerational Event
It is not only the guests who look forward to it time and time again, but the volunteers as well. The sixth formers involved regularly give up their lunchtimes and free periods to prepare decorations, bake in the food preparation rooms and become familiar faces who offer friendly conversations throughout the parties. Volunteering and community action is a strong part of the Bolton School ethos and with students in Year 12 being encouraged to complete a set amount of volunteering hours, Tea At The Riley provides an excellent opportunity to do so.
Alice Nielsen, a student in year 12 who is part of the team, spoke about how valuable the experience has been so far.
“Helping with Tea At The Riley has been so rewarding – I’ve met so many people and gained lots of new skills. I just love hearing stories from the guests and telling them about my current studies as well.”
With something for all generations to enjoy, Tea At The Riley is sure to be everyone’s cup of tea.
By Madeleine Eccleshare-Hornby