Setting up
On the evening of the day before the Garden Party, a large number of Scouts and Scout leaders arrived to unload the various vehicles and trailers bringing the materiel needed, erect the various tents and sort the equipment ready for the final preparations on Saturday morning.
Unloading the first of many deliveries of equipment needed for the garden party.
The volunteers worked quite late. As previously, two large modern frame tents were erected as the refreshment area and a similar tent was set up for games and stalls. The most demanding task was erecting the large canvas marquee which required good teamwork.
Erecting the large marquee.
There was also a 'gazebo' tent and a futuristic-looking Coleman Event Shelter (I didn't know the Coleman brand but there's quite a nice video illustrating the history of the Company here. After watching the video, the 'Back Button' will return you to this post).
On Saturday morning, volunteers arrived to complete the setting-up, ready for the opening to the public at 1.00 p.m.
The Garden Party
By the time all was ready to admit visitors, a small queue had formed outside the entrance gates.
The entrance gates, viewed from the road.
My friend Rita manned the Admission Table.
Marilyn Coulter from the parish church performed the official opening (before dashing back to St. Mary's and St. Chad's to perform a wedding, after which she returned to the garden party). A popular innovation this year was live music performed by two bands from the Cannock Performing Arts Centre:-
The 'Wind Band' at 1.15 p.m.
Cannock Performing Arts Centre 'Wind Band'.
The 'Big Band' at 2.30 p.m.
Cannock Performing Arts Centre 'Big Band'.
There's also a short video of the 'Big Band' here. After watching the video, the 'Back Button' will return you to this post.
Both bands are supported by the Friends of Cannock Performing Arts Centre who manned a stand.
Friends of Cannock Performing Arts Centre - 'Supporting young musicians'.
The P.D.S.A. and the Staffordshire Corps of Drums manned stands. 'The Trading Post' (which is Brewood Scouts own charity shop in Brewood) moved some of their stock to a stall at the garden party and the volunteers were kept busy. The large marquee hosted a number of craft stalls, a sweet shop and the judging for the cake-making contest. The refreshment tent was, as always, popular. The good weather encouraged many visitors to sit at the tables which had been provided outside the tent.
The refreshment tent.
Various games were laid on. The wet sponge throwing at a human target was always busy, as was the Coconut Shy.
The Coconut Shy.
Another traditional entertainment for younger visitors was provided by a series of Sack Races and Egg and Spoon Races. These proved very popular.
Visitors were able to enjoy the location and the sun.
Everybody seemed to enjoy their visit and useful funds were generated which, this year, were divided between Brewood Scouts and the Jan Ford Foundation (supporting educational and medical charitable work in Myanmar).
Related posts on this site
Brewood Vintage Garden Party 2013.
Brewood Vintage Garden Party 2014.
More information on the charitable work supported by the Jan Ford Foundation in Myanmar (formerly Burma) can be found:-
Education Support
Medical Support.
Pictures of the event
Brewood Garden Party 2015
