Brewood Hall Garden Party 2023

On 25th July 2023, Brewood Garden Party was held, for the ninth time, in the garden at Brewood Hall. In 2023 it was a rather different experience as we had heavy, intermittent rain throughout the day (and the preceding and following days). Visitor numbers were somewhat down on previous years but the organisers were gratified that most people seemed determined to enjoy the event, rain or no rain!

Earlier in 2022, the organising committee (representing 2nd Brewood Scouts, Brewood Parish Church and the informal group Friends of Brewood Hall) met a number of times to plan the event.

Setting Up

During the two days prior to the event, the marquees, tents, tables, chairs and other items needed were brought to Brewood Hall from various locations using cars towing trailers. Brewood Scouts and other volunteers erected the tents and arranged the seating areas. On the day of the Garden Party, despite the indifferent weather, all the work was completed in time for the public to be admitted at noon. The Garden Party, lasting just four hours, requires a lot of commitment from those involved before, during and after the event.


Setting-up the event during rather indifferent weather: Brewood Hall Garden Party 2023


Erecting the marquees: Brewood Hall Garden Party 2023


Plenty of marquee space offered some defence against inclement weather: Brewood Hall Garden Party 2023

The Event

The weather prior to the Garden Party had been unusually cool with rain but the organisers decided that cancellation was not an option, although it was feared that, if wet, nobody would come. The morning of the garden party was a mixture of heavy rain, light rain with periods when the rain stopped and optimists cried "I think it's clearing up!". But the weather didn't improve much during the afternoon. To the relief of the organisers, at noon visitors started to arrive, seemingly determined to enjoy the event whatever the weather.

Once again, Peter Plowright was a welcoming presence on the admissions table, this time with rather limited protection from a gazebo.


Peter Plowright handled admissions: Brewood Hall Garden Party 2023

During the rainy periods, the refreshment tent provided plenty of tables and chairs under cover to enjoy the selection of drinks and food, ensuring the catering volunteers were kept busy throughout the afternoon. The adjacent Beer Tent offered locally-brewed Enville Ale, lager, Pimms and soft drinks and the next tent offered Burgers and Hot Dogs which proved very popular. Although the weather was less than ideal, a mobile ice-cream van made a visit during the afternoon and appeared to do reasonable business.


The Refreshment Tent was always busy: Brewood Hall Garden Party 2023


Enville Ale, Lager, Pimms and soft drinks at the Beer Tent: Brewood Hall Garden Party 2023


Burgers and Hot Dogs were available throughout: Brewood Hall Garden Party 2023

Young visitors were well looked after by the attractions with a large marquee with games and Tuck Shop. Outside, there was the ever-popular coconut shy, they could closely examine the locomotive 'Phoenix' (although, sadly, not in steam) and Brewood's big red Fire Engine.


A large marquee housing games and attractions for children was always busy: Brewood Hall Garden Party 2023


The steam locomotive 'Phoenix', although static, was popular with youngsters: Brewood Hall Garden Party 2023


The Fire Service displayed the impressive Brewood equipment: Brewood Hall Garden Party 2023

We welcomed back local group 'Hubbub' who entertained during the afternoon. As usual, there was a Tombola stall and members of the parish church had produced a wide range of Plants and Produce for sale.


'Hubbub' provided a variety of music throughout the event: Brewood Hall Garden Party 2023


Left: Extra refreshment stall seating, Centre: Music group 'Hubbub', Right: Tombola stall. The Hall watches all the activities impassively at Brewood Hall Garden Party 2023


The Plants and Produce Stall attracted plenty of interest: Brewood Hall Garden Party 2023

Established favorites Chase Ferrets returned with their animals. Ferrets are part of the weasel family and were first domesticated over 2,500 years ago. Brighter Days Dog Rescue made their first appearance.


Established favorites Chase Ferrets attended again: Brewood Hall Garden Party 2023


Brighter Days Rescue made their first visit: Brewood Hall Garden Party 2023

The Brewood Community Hub now has a wide range of activities and clubs including Baby Sling, Bouncing Bunnies, Dementia Support Group, Sewcialise and Table Tennis. Rooms are used by Scouts, Cubs, Beavers, Guides and Brownies and are available for hire. In connection with the Community Hub Art Club, Hannah Broadhead Art arranged an extensive display of her art.


Crochet, knitting and other crafts on a Brewood Community Hub stall: Brewood Hall Garden Party 2023

Despite the less-than-ideal weather, all reports from visitors were encouraging. Not only did people enjoy the activities but funds were generated for the supported charitable initiatives.


Not all rain! In the background (L-R) Coconut Shy, Hot Dog Stall, Beer Tent: Brewood Hall Garden Party 2023

After the Event

The Event closed at four o'clock leaving lots of work for the volunteers. Admissions money and stall takings were counted on the day with Geoff H. then arranging refund of agreed expenses and distribution of nett proceeds to the beneficiary charities. Dismantling the stalls and Marquees was started on the day but loading up trailers and returning equipment to storage was spead over a couple of days.

Reports on previous 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.
Brewood Garden Party 2018.
Brewood Garden Party 2019.
Brewood Garden Party 2022.

Related posts on other websites

2nd Brewood Scouts
Chase Ferret Rescue
Brighter Days Rescue

Pictures of the event in 2023

Depending on the display device, the right hand edge of pictures may not display. To see an uncropped image, click on the picture. Alternately, you can find the image by following the link below and display or download the image in various resolutions.

Brewood Garden Party 2023

Brewood Garden Party 2022

On 16th July 2022, Brewood Garden Party was held, for the eighth time, in the garden at Brewood Hall.

The previous garden party had been in 2019 and, although intended to be annual, planned events in 2020 and 2021 had been cancelled because of the Covid19 pandemic. Early in 2022, the organising committee (representing 2nd Brewood Scouts, Brewood Parish Church and the informal group Friends of Brewood Hall) met and agreed that we should, if circumstances allowed, run the event in 2022. A series of meetings were held in the following months to plan the details.

Publicity

As in previous events, a 'flyer' was printed and distributed to households around Brewood by the Scouts. In 1922, the local free magazine 'Villager' published an illustrated article in their June edition.

Setting Up

On the evenings of Thursday 14th July and Friday 15th July, the marquees, tents, tables, chairs and other items needed were brought to Brewood Hall from various locations using cars towing trailers. Brewood Scouts and other volunteers erected the tents and arranged the seating areas. This work was completed on the morning of the Garden Party, with the children's games, refreshment tent and temporary electrics being completed in time for the public to be admitted at noon. The Garden Party, lasting just four hours, requires a lot of commitment from those involved before, during and after the event.


Just some of the materials brought in on trailers for the event: Brewood Hall Garden Party 2022


One of the tubular-framed marquee being erected: Brewood Hall Garden Party 2022

A Little Local Difficulty

Two days before the event, the writer tested positive for Covid19. I'd had the three inoculations specified for a person of my age at the time and it was the first time I'd contracted Covid so it was a bit of a surprise. Not wishing to be the cause of a "Brewood Super-spreader Event" I realised that I would be self-isolating in Brewood Hall during the Garden Party, just able to watch through the windows! So my report is rather second-hand this time and largely relies on pictures taken by others. My infection was fairly benign with symptoms similar to a bad cold persisting for a little over a week.

The Event

The weather leading up to the Garden Party had been unusually hot, giving rise to the fear that the event might be unpleasantly warm. On the morning of the Garden Party, there had been a very brief, light shower after which the weather became perfect with bright sun, warm but not oppresive.

Peter Plowright was a welcoming presence on the admissions table throughout the afternoon.


Peter Plowright manning the Admission Desk: Brewood Garden Party 2022

The event was opened by the Staffordshire Corps of Drums, in their impressive, colourful ceremonial uniforms, with a precision, musical display.


The event opened with a display by Staffordshire Corps of Drums: Brewood Garden Party 2022

The Refreshment Tent, with its selection of drinks and food, quickly became a focus and remained well-patronised throughout the afternoon.


Some of the volunteers from Brewood Post Office and Brewood Co-op who helped to staff the Refreshment Tent: Brewood Garden Party 2022

The ideal weather encouraged visitors to relax in the open air at the numerous tables outside the Refreshment Tent or wander around the variety of stalls.


Brewood Garden Party 2022

For a number of years, the Cannock Performing Arts Centre provided music at the Brewood Garden Party with two talented bands. Their activities had not yet recovered from the malign effects of the Covid Pandemic and they were unable to appear in 2022. However, we were able to welcome a local group, Hubbub, on their first public appearance and, with guitars and keyboard, they provided mellow music during the afternoon well-matched to the relaxed mood of the event.




A newly-formed local group, Hubbub, provided mellow music at Brewood Garden Party 2022

For the first time, Greensforge Sailing Club (who are based at the nearby Gailey water reservoir) displayed the popular RS Tera dinghy they use for training. This created a lot of interest.


The popular RS Tera dinghy displayed by Greensforge Sailing Club at Brewood Garden Party 2022

Also for the first time, local charity Bethany Children's Home, based in Wombourne, had a stall to promote their work in connection with the orphanage they built in Dhading, Nepal.


Bethany Children's Home stall: Brewood Garden Party 2022

In 2019, a Pizza Van had been a popular innovation. In 2022 Al's Pizzas offered wood-fired pizzas from a striking customised van parked on the grass just outside the entrance.


Al's Pizzas: Brewood Garden Party 2022

The Village Pantry provided a stall and, in addition, a mobile ice-cream van made a visit.


The Village Pantry Stall at Brewood Garden Party 2022

The beer tent made a welcome return and was kept busy, offering cold soft drinks, lager, Pimms and, until stocks ran out, Greene King's craft 'Level Head' ale.


The Beer Tent: Brewood Garden Party 2022

We were pleased to welcome back Chase Ferret Rescue, with their attractive animals. Some readers may be unaware that Cannock Chase (or simply 'the Chase') is a nearby area historically connected to Brewood.


Dean and ferret friend: Brewood Garden Party 2022

This was the first Garden Party since the opening of Brewood Community Hub and they provided a stall to display the variety of activities on offer there. They advertise regular clubs called Baby Sling, Art Club, Bouncing Bunnies, Dementia Support Group, Sewcialise, Weight Watchers, Yoga, Table Tennis. Rooms are used by Scouts, Cubs, Beavers, Guides and Brownies and are available for hire for children’s parties or meetings.


The Sewing Club at Brewood Community Hub: Brewood Garden Party 2022

Once again, Brewood Parish Church provided an imposing Plants and Produce Stall, which was sited along the front elevation of the Hall.


Plants and Produce stall: Brewood Garden Party 2022

A wide range of prizes was on offer for the lucky winners at tombola.


Tombola prizes displayed behind the tombola drum: Brewood Garden Party 2022

Our many younger visitors were well-catered for. The ever-popular Coconut Shy was kept busy, as were 'Hook-a-Duck' and Teddy Tombola. There was a colourfully-decorated Tuck Shop, a Book Stall and a 'Soft Archery' range.


The ever-popular Coconut Shy: Brewood Garden Party 2022


Tuck Shop: Brewood Garden Party 2022


'Hook-a-Duck' and Teddy Tombola: Brewood Garden Party 2022


Archery for Children using arrows tipped with rubber suckers: Brewood Garden Party 2022

As in 2019, the 2-foot gauge steam locomotive 'Phoenix' appeared as a static exhibit, this time with smoke curling from the distinctively-shaped chimney.


'Phoenix' at Brewood Garden Party 2022

As an innovation in 2022, John Groves, a local farmer, displayed a classic farm tractor for young people to admire.


John Groves, a local farmer, displayed a classic tractor: Brewood Garden Party 2022

A section of the front lawn had been marked out with a series of parallel white lines, forming a short running track, allowing a number of Children's Races, with small prizes, to be held during the event.

After the Event

The Event closed at four o'clock but, of course, there was still lots of work for the volunteers. Admissions money and stall takings were counted on the day by Marion and the writer with Geoff then arranging refund of sums advanced by volunteers and distribution of nett proceeds to the benefiicary charities.


Brewood Hall Garden Party 2022: Marion counting cash

Dismantling the stalls and Marquees was started on the day but loading up trailers and returning equipment to storage was spead over a couple of days.


Brewood Hall Garden Party 2022: Dismantling marquees after the event

It was naturally disappointing that Covid prevented me from attending the eighth Brewood Hall Garden Party but I was touched that members of the organising committee afterwards presented me, as current chatelaine of Brewood Hall, with a magnificent floral display.


Brewood Hall Garden Party 2022: The writer, as owner of Brewood Hall, was presented with a magnificent bouquet

Reports on previous 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.
Brewood Garden Party 2018.
Brewood Garden Party 2019.

Related posts on other websites

2nd Brewood Scouts
Greensforge Sailing Club
Chase Ferret Rescue


Pictures of the event

Depending on the display device, the right hand edge of pictures may not display. To see an uncropped image, click on the picture. Alternately, you can find the image by following the link below and display or download the image in various resolutions.

Brewood Garden Party 2022

Brewood Hall Garden Party 2019

On Saturday, 13th July 2019, the Brewood Garden Party was held, for the seventh time, in the garden at Brewood Hall. The event is organised by 2nd Brewood Scouts, Brewood Parish Church and the informal group Friends of Brewood Hall. All of the work organising and running the event is carried out by volunteers.

Preparation

An organising committee representing the voluntary groups involved met a number of times in the months prior to the event to arrange the details. Publicity was displayed in the village and 'flyers' delivered to houses.

Setting Up

Starting on Wednesday, 10th July the tents, tables and chairs needed were ferried in over a number of trips using a car and trailer and erection of the main tents was carried out by Ian Morris and Gary Dunbar. On Friday evening erection of the smaller tents and arranging the seating areas was undertaken by the Scouts. An event of this nature, lasting just four hours, requires a lot of commitment from those involved but the Garden Party has established itself as a popular feature of village life.


Brewood Garden Party 2019: By late Friday evening, all the tents were erected.

On Saturday morning, volunteers arrived to complete the setting-up.


Brewood Garden Party 2019: Volunteers complete the setting-up on Saturday morning.


Brewood Garden Party 2019: Volunteers with a remarkable range of plants readying the Plants & Produce Stall on Saturday morning.

The Craft Tent featured the work of a number of talented people, including Fern Floating Fine Art, passing through Brewood on the Shropshire Union Canal and recruited by Ian Morris to appear alongside our established local artists and crafters.

Brewood Garden Party 2019: Crafters setting-up on Saturday morning.

Getting ready involved so many different tasks, I was worried that we'd not be ready for the published opening at noon but, somehow, it all came together in time.

The Event

With my friend Rita on the admissions gate, assisted by Peter, our visitors started to arrive, slowly at first, then in larger numbers.


Rita at the 'gate' (Photo: G. Hopwood)


Brewood Garden Party 2019: Visitors start to arrive.

After a few words from Phil Moon, the Vicar of Brewood, the Staffordshire Corps of Drums opened the proceedings with an impressive display of precision drumming, looking splendid in black trousers, red tunics and helmets.


Brewood Garden Party 2019: Staffordshire Corps of Drums perform the Official Opening.

There were the usual attractions, such as Tombola, Plants and Produce, Catapult Range, Coconut Shy and Toys and Books plus some innovations and variations such as 'Games and Names', 'Tuck Shop' and 'Crack the Code'.

The Refreshment Tent quickly became busy and remained busy. Both the local Midland Counties Co-op store and Brewood Post Office provided additional volunteers to provide welcome assistance to Beccy and the Scouts. This year, the local Spar store made a donation towards the cost of purchases for the Refreshment Tent.


Brewood Garden Party 2019: The Refreshment Tent.

Adjacent to the Refreshment Tent, Pimm's was available. The locally-brewed Slaters Ales 'One Hop' also proved popular.


Brewood Garden Party 2019: In addition to Pimm's, locally-brewed Slaters Ales 'One Hop' proved popular.

The Barbecue Tent completed the food and drink line-up. The picture shows a quiet moment as the Garden Party opened - from then on, there was no respite throughout the afternoon.


Brewood Garden Party 2019: Barbecue ready for business as the Garden Party opened.

We were delighted that Chase Ferret Rescue were able to join us again. The knowledge and care displayed by their volunteers was impressive.


Brewood Garden Party 2019: Chase Ferret Rescue ready to welcome visitors.

I find ferrets irresistible but not everybody relishes handling them so there was the option of walking ferrets on a lead!


Brewood Garden Party 2019: A 'paddock' adjacent to Ferret Rescue allowed children to walk ferrets on a lead.

Brewood Fire Station has 'Retained' Firefighters and they displayed their 'Big Red Fire Engine' in the drive. I was amazed at just how much specialist equipment was stowed in the many lockers and impressed by the capabilities of the computer display in the front cab which, for instance, can display a large scale map of the vehicle's current location showing adjacent Fire Hydrants. This attracted a lot of interest and we are grateful to the Fire Crew for their attendance.


Brewood Garden Party 2019: Staffordshire Fire and Rescue displayed Brewood's 'big red fire engine'.

There was also a 2-foot gauge steam locomotive as a static exhibit with Ann on hand to answer questions and this proved popular.

Brewood Garden Party 2019: Ann supervised a 2-foot gauge steam locomotive on static display which was popular with young (and not-so-young) people.

Everyone was delighted that, once again, the two bands based at the Cannock Performing Arts Centre - Cannock Big Band and Cannock Wind Band - returned to play for us.


Brewood Garden Party 2019: Cannock 'Big Band' gave another stunning performance.


Brewood Garden Party 2019: Cannock 'Wind Band' once again entertained with a 30-minute 'set'.

During the afternoon, the Staffordshire Corps of Drums gave a second display, for the benefit of later arrivals who had missed the opening ceremony.


Brewood Garden Party 2019: Staffordshire Corp of Drums gave an additional performance.


Brewood Garden Party 2019: General view.

The weather remained warm but the sun was not strong, making it more pleasant to walk around or just sit and enjoy the special atmosphere Brewood Hall seems to engender. All the comments I've received have been appreciative. Grateful thanks go to all those, from the village and elsewhere, who contributed to the success of the event by giving their time, or donating prizes or items for sale.

The organising committee have distributed the proceeds to the usual supported local charities: Brewood Parish Church, 2nd Brewood Scouts and the Jan Ford Foundation, with small donations to performing organisations.

Reports on other websites

Brewood 2nd Scouts have a report here.

Reports on previous 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.
Brewood Garden Party 2018.

Pictures of the event

Where necessary, clicking on an image above will display an 'uncropped' view or, alternately, pictures above may be selected, viewed or downloaded, in various sizes, from the album below:-

Brewood Garden Party 2019.