Preparations
As in previous years, there was an organising committee who met a number of times in the months prior to the event to ensure that visitors enjoyed their visit on the day. 'Flyers' had been distributed around the village, posters and a banner had been put up and there were announcements on social media. Erection of the tents and stalls was started on the evening of Friday, 6th July, using a different layout to previous years which proved popular.
Brewood Garden Party 2018: Setting-up on Friday: Methodical erection of the craft marquee.
Brewood Garden Party 2018: Setting-up on Friday: Welcome reinforcements!
Brewood Garden Party 2018: Setting-up on Friday. L-R: Band tent, Pimm's Tent, Tombola tent, Craft Tent.
Setting-up was completed on Saturday morning, following an early start, so as to be ready for the opening at noon.
The Event
The whole week had been warm and Saturday was the same. All the usual stalls and diversions were provided, plus some innovations.
Brewood Garden Party 2018: Admission desk at front gates.
The Staffordshire Corps of Drums opened the proceedings with an impressive display. They admitted that, in the heat, the woollen uniforms were very uncomfortable.
Brewood Garden Party 2018: The Staffordshire Corps of Drums opened the proceedings.
The Refreshment Tent quickly became busy and remained busy. This year, the local Midland Counties Co-op store provided additional help which was very welcome.
Brewood Garden Party 2018: A wide range of snacks were available in the popular Refreshment Tent.
For the first time, local traditional butchers Maiden's offered hot dogs, burgers and frozen snacks.
Brewood Garden Party 2018: Maiden's ready for business.
The Pimm's Tent, Tombola and Plants and Produce stall remained popular.
Brewood Garden Party 2018: Plants and Produce Stall.
The Craft Tent featured the work of a number of local artists and crafters.
Brewood Garden Party 2018: Jan with local artist Rob.
Black Country Live Steamers appeared again with two immaculate miniature traction engines and, located in the driveway, were able to give rides.
Brewood Garden Party 2018: Miniature traction engines from Black Country Live Steamers.
Chase Ferret Rescue were appearing for the first time. They had brought a number of ferrets and everybody was most impressed by the quality of the accommodation provided for the ferrets and the knowledge and care displayed by their volunteers.
Brewood Garden Party 2018: The Ferret Rescue stand.
I'd never handled ferrets before and I admit I was entranced by the creatures.
Brewood Garden Party 2018: Jan makes friends with a young ferret.
To appeal to our younger visitors, we had the Coconut Shy, Catapult Range and Wet Sponge Throwing together with the supervised Kids' Under-5 Zone.
Brewood Garden Party 2018: A busy time at the Kids' Under-5 Zone.
A new attraction in 2018 for children was the Toys and Sweets stall.
Brewood Garden Party 2018: View of Toys and Sweets Stall which also provided welcome shade to some visitors.
Later in the afternoon, there were Egg and Spoon and Sack Races.
Brewood Garden Party 2018: Childrens' Sack Race.
Everyone was delighted that, once again, the Cannock Bands, based at the Cannock Performing Arts Centre, returned to play for us.
Brewood Garden Party 2018: Cannock Wind Band performing. Because of the heat, they were not in their customary black uniforms.
Brewood Garden Party 2018: Cannock Big Band performing: The view looking towards the audience.
Finally, the Staffordshire Corps of Drums gave a second display.
Brewood Garden Party 2018: A second performance by the Staffordshire Corps of Drums.
In choosing the date for this year's garden party, the organising committee were faced with the difficult problem of trying to avoid competing attractions. What they could not have known was that the English football team would achieve a measure of success in the World Cup being played in Russia, resulting in the team having a match starting at 3.00 p.m. on the day of the garden party. A mass early exodus was anticipated with people seeking to watch the match on television. The timing of the band performances at the garden party was brought forward to help and the Scouts brought their 50-inch plasma television. This was set up in the band tent (after the band performances) and hooked-up to the Brewood Hall aerial system, allowing people to remain on site and watch the game!
England lost in their World Cup match but lots of people confirmed that the Brewood garden party had been a splendid event.
Reports on earlier garden parties at Brewood Hall
Brewood Vintage Garden Party 2013.
Brewood Vintage Garden Party 2014.
Brewood Garden Party 2015.
Brewood Garden Party 2016.
Brewood Garden Party 2017.
Pictures of the event
Where necessary, clicking on an image above will display an 'uncropped' view or, alternately, pictures from may be selected, viewed or downloaded, in various sizes, from the album below:-
Brewood Garden Party 2018.
