Adjewhella
Adjewhella Chapel (Photo: courtesy David Thomas)
1913: Adjewhella Wesleyan Sunday School: “The annual tea treat was held on Thursday. Redruth Season Band headed the procession, which visited Barripper, Ramsgate and Penponds, and then returned to a field …” (17 July 1913 – The Cornish Telegraph)
Allet
1904: Allet United Methodist Sunday School: “… On Monday afternoon the Sunday school, with the teachers, formed into procession and headed by Queens Brass Band, paraded Allet and marched to the field for tea and buns.” (30 June 1904 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1907: Allet U M F Church: “… On Monday afternoon the annual tea treat was held in Mr. Northey’s field in delightful weather, and the Indian Queens Brass Band discoursed music throughout the afternoon and evening.” (4 July 1907 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
Angarrack
1827: Hayle and Angarrack Sunday schools combined and processed “to the height of the Towans” where they sang hymns and heard an address by the Rev. Thomas Martin. They returned to the chapel for tea and cakes and then went to the beach where they formed a circle and sang hymns. (8th June West Briton)
In 1886, Angarrack Wesleyan Chapel engaged Copperhouse Band for their event for which they paid £1.1s.
Copperhouse Band was again booked for the 1897 event but, by then, the fee was £2.10s, almost double. Could this have been the effect of inflation or because the band had won a few contests and now felt that it could demand a higher fee?
In 1919 the Angarrack Wesleyans engaged Camborne Town Band at a cost of £7.10s. and were, no doubt, pleased with the standard of their performance. Maybe that band was not available the following your or perhaps some economies had to be made as the committee reverted to using Copperhouse Band at a cost of £5.
1920: Cedric Appleby recorded that Copperhouse Brass Band played at Angarrack Wesleyan Sunday school tea foe which they were paid £5.0s. He also stated that they played there in 1927: for the last time. We have found no mention of Copperhouse Band after that date, so it seems likely that they disbanded. Hayle Silver Band were there in 1939 and following the Second World War, Lelant and District were the band of choice. In 1950 Penzance Independent Band were paid £12.10s to entertain but four years later Angarrack Wesleyan Sunday school made the decision to cease hiring a band. Whether this was for economic or other reasons we do not know.
Ashton
1907: “On Saturday last the Church school at Ashton held their annual tea treat, when the Camborne Brass Band was in attendance.” (22 August 1907 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
Barripper
1925: “Methodist Sunday school, Barripper, held their annual tea treat on Wednesday. After a march round the village, headed by the Camborne Town Band, under the direction of Bandmaster Parker, the scholars proceeded to a field kindly lent by Mr. Cappel. …” (9 July 1925 – Cornubian and Redruth Times)
Camborne Town Band after the Second World War – Martin Oates (cornet) at the far end with two young ladies on his lap – almost certainly at Barripper tea treat in Barripper tea treat field (Photo: courtesy David Oates – Martin’s grandson)
Beacon near St Agnes
Higher Bal or Beacon Chapel (Photo: courtesy Clive Benney)
1909: “… Beacon Wesleyan Sunday-school had their annual tea on Saturday. St Agnes Town Band, under Mr John Paull, contributed an excellent musical programme.” (24 June 1909 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1914: “The annual tea-treat was held at Beacon on Saturday in connection with the Wesley Sunday-school. The St Agnes Town Band was in attendance and rendered a choice programme of music.” (2 July 1914 – The Cornish Telegraph)
Bethel near St Austell
Bethel held its Feast Day and it took the form of a tea treat. It was often led by Mount Charles Band and Cedric Appleby wrote that “the children returned to the Sunday school room for tea. Here was saffron cake, yeast cake, slab cake, jam and cream splits.” Note that it was always splits, never scones, and the cream was always on the top!
1930s: Bethel Bible Christian Sunday School Parade (Photo: courtesy Mac Waters)
1939: “… annual tea treat of Bethel Methodist Sunday school was held on Saturday when officers and scholars, headed by Stithians Silver Band, marched to Point Mills and back to the Sunday school, where the scholars received their free tea, …” (27 July 1939 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
Black Rock
1910 circa: Black Rock Chapel (Photo: courtesy Mac Waters)
Blackwater
Circa 1908: The 1825 Chapel
The non-conformist tea treat was one of the big events on the village calendar and an entry in Harrod’s Rural County Directory of Cornwall of 1878 states that in Blackwater, “A fair is held annually on Midsummer’s Day”. The annual tea treat there was one of the big events on the calendar and if it could not be held on the actual day then it took place on the nearest Saturday.
1909: Camborne Town Band played at Blackwater Sunday School tea treat (Royal Cornwall Gazette 1st July 1909)
Olga Trewhella, a Blackwater resident, recalled the fun of dancing around the May Pole back in the early 1920s. She said, “The children really looked forward to the May Day celebrations”.
1916: Blackwater Wesleyan Tea Treat – Blackwater School headmaster John Oates with white beard (Photo: Govier)
1923: “Blackwater … scholars had their annual festival on Saturday, the proceedings including a procession, tea, sports, and selections by St Agnes Town Band.” (27 June 1923 – Cornishman)
In 1946, Kathleen Huddy (née Osborne) interviewed Mrs Solomon of Carnhot and asked her about her memories of tea treats in Blackwater. Mrs Solomon was aged 100 so her recollections probably date back to 1860 or maybe earlier when the annual fair was attended by over two thousand people. “There were shows of all kinds with stalls of fruit and sweets. The Sunday school treat on Midsummer Day opened in glory with banners and the procession led by a brass band. The benches for the children were arranged in a circle on the green. Each child carried a cup for tea. Parents dressed their children decently on these occasions, and for the Sunday school anniversary. A tinner’s wages were then about forty shillings monthly and the families were often big, with five to ten children. Seven Inns took in travelling workmen where they could sleep, eat and drink: that was common in those days. For the children, there was Midsummer Eve when darkness fell, and bonfires would blaze on burrows and mine dumps. As the flames rose, excited children shouted, ‘Midsummer Day is passing this way, A-Hip, A-Hip, A-Hurray,’ before making a dash through clouds of smoke and sparks out of bravado, defying the risks as likely continuing a druidical custom. Two fields near the Passmore Edwards Institute were often used for the event, one for the hobbyhorses and side-shows and the other for games and the tea. In later years, the field next to the chapel was used. Stalls (stannins) were erected in front of the Red Lion Inn and lit by Naphtha Flares at night. Limpets in tiny dishes were eaten with a pin and the girls were treated to trays of cherries, comfits and gingerbreads by their boyfriends.” (1)
The event at Blackwater was preceded by a procession from the chapel to the tea treat field. It was led by one of the local bands (Blackwater, Stithians, Camborne, St Agnes and, in 1917, by Indian Queens) and the procession turned right on leaving the chapel and passed through the village until it reached the crossroads by the Red Lion. From there, it travelled up North Hill to the junction with the Skinners Bottom road where it did a U-turn and returned to the village. On arrival back at the Red Lion it turned right and continued out to the railway bridge (now demolished) where it turned once again and marched to the designated field. It seems that the event continued until mid-night. Tea treats were a big part of village life with the huge saffron buns, tea, games and the Serpentine walk to finish. (1)
Blisland
Mike Rowe of St Breward Band, and others, think that it is Blisland Village Green and possibly Cardinham Band but no one is sure (Photo: courtesy Gavin Holman)
Bolingey
1871: “Bolingey Wesleyan School Treat. On Saturday, the annual treat was given to about 300 children attached to the Bolingey Wesleyan school, which is situate a mile from Perranporth. At two o’clock a procession was formed, and marched to and from Perranporth, headed by the Goonhavern Brass Band, to a field near the school, which was kindly lent by Mr. Hodge, jun. The children had a bountiful supply of tea and buns, and a large number of teachers and friends also enjoyed the social cup in the field. Both repasts over, the children indulged in various games. The day’s proceedings appeared to be thoroughly enjoyed by all.” (22 July 1871 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1908: Bolingey Wesleyans: “… The scholars paraded the village and Perranporth, headed by Bugle Brass Band and then to a field at Bolingey … a public tea was well patronised and sports were arranged …” (30 July 1908 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1910: “St Agnes Brass Band were at Bolingey on Saturday attending the Wesleyan Sunday school tea at that place.” (19 May 1910 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1913: Bolingey Band of Hope Tea Treat (Photo: courtesy Derek Brooks)
Boscastle
1890: “Boscastle U.D. Band of Hope held its annual festival on Thursday, when the younger members (about a hundred and fifty) marched through the place headed by the Delabole Brass Band. All the members enjoyed tea in a field kindly lent by Mr. Davy, and the senior members gave an interesting entertainment …” (19 June 1890 – Royal Cornwall Gazette
1891: Boscastle U D Band of Hope: “The children numbering about 200 met in a field at Paradise (kindly lent by Mr. Davey) and marched through the town, headed by the Delabole Brass Band. Returning to the field they were served with tea. ln the evening a capital entertainment was given in a marquee.” (2 July 1891 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1900: “… the Boscastle United Band of Hope was held on Thursday. The members formed in procession, and headed by the Boscastle Town Band, perambulated the town, returning to a field kindly lent by Dr C Wade, where tea was provided. …” (5 July 1900 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
Boscaswell
1939: “Boscaswell Methodist Sunday-school tea treat was held on Saturday. The parade in the village was headed by Pendeen Silver Band. …” (13 July 1939 – Cornishman)
1944: “The festival of Boscaswell Sunday School was held on Saturday. The parade was headed by Pendeen Silver Band, the children afterwards enjoyed buns and tea in the field…” (20 July 1944 – Cornishman)
1945: “The Summer Festival of the Boscaswell Methodist Sunday-school was held on Saturday. The children paraded the village, headed by the Pendeen Silver Band, and were afterwards served with tea and buns …” (26 July 1945 – Cornishman)
Braddock and Boconnoc
1906: “Braddock and Boconnoc Church Festival. … About 250 partook of tea, … Braddock and Boconnoc school children … Bugle Brass Band supplied the music. In the afternoon, the Rev. N. B. Walke, Lanteglos-by-Fowey, preached in Boconnoc Church. …” (16 August 1906 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
Brea
1906: Brea Band of Hope tea treat (Photo: courtesy of David Thomas)
(Photo: courtesy of David Thomas)
Breage
1903: “Breage Wesleyan Sunday School annual tea took place on Wednesday. The procession from the school was led by the Redruth Hungarian Band, and perambulated the village, returning to a field near the chapel, where tea was provided. …” (9 July 1903 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
Bridge
1939: Bridge Sunday School tea treat: “…with tea and buns and a public tea was also served. In the evening games were played and music was rendered by Camborne Military Band, under Mr C C Oxland, native of Illogan.” (6 July 1939 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
Broadlane
1924: “The annual tea treat of Broadlane Primitive Sunday school was held on Saturday. The Camborne Town Band headed the procession and after parading the district the scholars returned to a field, where tea and buns were served. …” (24 July 1924 – Cornubian and Redruth Times)
Bude & Stratton Area
“Tea treats were unknown in this area although chapels had Anniversaries and churches had some kind of picnic or day at the seaside. There were occasional treats given by the local ‘gentry’ who were probably connected with the church. There are very few people of that generation left now who would remember.” (Audrey Aylmer of Bude, Stratton and District Old Cornwall Society)
Budock
1923: “The annual tea of the Wesleyan School took place at Budock on Wednesday. Mawnan Brass Band played selections.” (3 August 1923 – Western Morning News)
Bugle
1875: “Bugle Bible Christians school tea. “… The Bugle Brass Band, under the able leadership of Mr D Hore was in attendance and played a choice selection of music during the afternoon…” (5 June 1875 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1911: “Bugle Temperance Society held their annual festival on Good Friday, when the chief attraction was the Camborne Town Silver Band. After parading the village, the children walked to the Council School, where they were given a free tea.…” (20 April 1911 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
Bugle Chapel Tea Treat (Photo: courtesy of Verlaine Jane)
Bugle Chapel Tea Treat (Photo: courtesy of Verlaine Jane)
Bugle Sunday School Treat (Photo: courtesy Mac Waters)
Burbos
1884: Burbos Sunday School: “… The annual Sunday-school tea-treat took place on Tuesday. The Mabe Brass Band was in attendance and gave general satisfaction. At 2.30 pm the procession was formed, and led by Mabe Band, …” (11 July 1884 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
Burras
1876: Burras Brass Band played for the Burras Wesleyan procession and tea treat. (John Brush)
Calstock
1901: Calstock Rectory. “The united Sunday schools of the Church of England of Calstock parish held their annual treat on Monday. The Gunnislake Town Band was in attendance and rendered selections. The children took their tea at four, and visitors at five, on the lawn.” (1 June 1901 – Cornish & Devon Post)
Camborne
1849 – May: Cedric Appleby records that Thomas Collins, the Methodist minister, took his school children by train to Hayle “to save then from the perils of the noisy, revelling fair at Redruth”.
In June 1862, the “West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser” described a combined event down Camborne way. “On Whit Monday the children and teachers of the following Sunday schools assembled at their various schoolrooms and chapels about two o’clock, after which they walked in procession through the streets of Camborne. The procession included: Wesley and Centenary schools, 960; Pengigon [sic] Methodist, 220; Association, 410; Bible Christians, 230; Primitive Methodist, 160; Free Church, 400; Pengigon [sic] Association, 260. The weather being favourable it was a fine sight to see so many Sunday school children and teachers collected together. After this, they went to their different places of worship and were regaled with tea and cake, with the exception of the Wesley and Centenary schools, who went up to Dr George Smith’s and walked through a portion of his pleasure grounds, passed before Trevu House, and from thence to the field between the pleasure ground and that gentleman’s lodge where the children enjoyed themselves with their tea and cake. After this, the teachers and friends retired to the Wesley girls’ school room and took tea.”
Perhaps the 1862 tea treat at Camborne had been a special celebration, or maybe there had developed a desire to “do their own thing”. Cedric Appleby’s description of the 1865 Camborne Wesleyan Sunday School sounded like a much more modest event, “They met at the chapel for a service and then processed to a field for their bun and tea”.
1872: “On Whit-Monday the Porkellis Brass Band attended the Bible Christian Sunday School tea treat at Penponds, Camborne.” (1 June 1872 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
The next two images were taken at the penultimate Bible Christian chapel tea treat at Camborne, in the summer of 1906. The treat itself was held in the fields at Weeth. David Thomas of Camborne Old Cornwall Society, writing in 2020 said, “The image of the ladies is a superb postcard depicting mid-Edwardian fashion at its absolute peak. They do not come much better than this! I have heard it said amongst older Methodist families by the ladies…. ‘new hat for (chapel) Anniversary and ‘nother for Harvest Festival’. This way of life and social culture has all but vanished from our corporate memory. The little ones have been seated on the grass and the child third from the left some older Camborne people may remember as the late Mrs Frank Hutchin. Just look at the hat at the top right of the photograph!
The slightly sharper and darker image is of the men includes in boater hat, the chapel minister, Revd F J Highley Coles. One or two of the older men do not look too well-nourished in their appearance.
With both photographs it is a great pity that we don’t know more of the names: it would give us a clearer understanding of which families were particular denominational adherents, though surviving chapel membership rolls can help offset this deficiency.”
Photo: courtesy David Thomas)
Photo: courtesy David Thomas)
Camborne Tea Treat at Trevu (Photo: courtesy of Ivor Corkell)
Ivor Corkell, stalwart of the Old Cornwall Society, recalls how Camborne celebrated its tea treat in the 1940s. “During the Second World War we could not go on the beaches, so we held our teat treats at Trevu in Camborne. Bickford and George Smith were staunch Methodists and the Methodist children paraded through Camborne and went up Beacon Hill and onto the large lawns of Trevu. During the war they allowed Camborne Church to use their lawns for their tea treats. We had sprint races (as a wheeler dealer, I always won) egg and spoon races, three legged races and sack races. The races were sub-divided into different age groups. There were pancake races and blind-fold events. There were zig-zag races in and out of obstacles, team races when team members ran around an away point and then back to release the next team member and so on. After the war, our church went back to Carbis Bay and St Ives again and game boundaries (like hopscotch) could be drawn in the sand. There were competitions building sandcastles and defences around pits to stop the sea getting in for the longest time. I am not, however, prepared to tell you the games we played with the girls on the way home on the train.”
This report of the Whitsun tradition of Camborne Methodist tea treat appeared in the “Cornishman” on the 9th June 1949 and provides an evocative picture of times past. “Almost a hundred years ago, the first Camborne Methodist tea treat at Whitsun filled the fields of Trevu, Beacon Hill, with shouting, happy children. Soon, that event, which has become a holiday tradition of the first importance to the town, will celebrate its centenary and it is to be hoped its organisers will make fitting arrangements to honour the day. Somewhere there must be a record among Sunday school annals of the actual date when this fine Whit Monday holiday treat established itself with processions of pupils and teachers to the Trevu fields. There are still those who, if they cannot say they attended the first occasion, certainly recall some of the earliest. Oldest is 98-year-old Mrs Eliza Toy, of Wellington-road, Camborne’s oldest resident, and a former pupil of Centenary Sunday School; she attended Monday’s event to see for herself how it had changed from the old days. ‘Not a bit,’ was her comment, ‘except that the dresses are different, and apart from the fact that the tea treat buns, oranges and sweets are missing, everything seems the same’. Tom Laity, Wesley stalwart of the Sunday school and a trustee, was another old-timer who found real pleasure in realising once again what the treat means to the children of the town as a symbol of their share in the one great family. He cannot claim to be Mrs Toy’s contemporary by more than a decade, but in his 84 years he has been nearly 80 times to the Trevu tea treat. With yet another record in the tea treat book, Mr J Tripp is organiser in chief of the afternoon and evening’s programme which now brings together the children of both Wesley and Centenary. He recalls the time when every Sunday school in the town held its treat on Whit Monday, although in several different fields. Mr Tripp’s record is in organisation. For 27 years he has been secretary of proceedings, which make an exhausting day for those responsible for the children’s enjoyment and safety. Leading Monday’s procession behind Camborne Town Band, in which big drummer Tresidder, snr., has established yet another tradition of service, were Supt. Minister Rev. J A Goodman and Centenary Minister, Rev. F B Wilby. With them were the Sunday school superintendents, Messrs L Carveth, G Osborne and C R Rowe of Wesley, and A J Holman and F Pascoe of Centenary. Ladies from both chapels organised their own children’s and parents’ teas in separate tents, while the men and teachers arranged sports and entertainments. With Messrs. S Holman and G Stone, chief stewards, were Messrs. Carveth, Phillips, Miller, Trythall, Brokenshire, Strutt, Collins, Bray, Trestrail, Hallett and Buddle. Camborne Town Band played during the afternoon and evening.”
Ann Louisa attended Camborne Wesley in the mid-1950s and recalls the tea treats held in a field at Trevu. “All the children from the Camborne chapels marched through the streets with the little ones riding in decorated lorries. When we arrived there were games, stalls and tea treat buns.”
1955: Camborne Wesley Tea Treat Parade (Photo: courtesy Ann Louisa)
1958: Camborne Wesley Tea Treat at Trevu Road (Photo: courtesy Ann Louise)
Camelford
1909: “Camelford. … Canon Roe again placed the grounds of Camelford House at their disposal for the event. A procession, headed by the Town Band, was followed by the usual tea and in the evening Mr Hawke’s party, from Delabole, gave an entertainment. …” (19 June 1909 – Cornish & Devon Post)
Canonstown
1892: Chyngweal New Connexion and Canonstown Wesleyan Sunday Schools: “… Each school formed a procession, led by the Lelant Downs and St Erth Brass Bands, respectively. The children were regaled with tea and buns, and a public tea followed.” (21 July 1892 – The Cornish Telegraph)
For some smaller Sunday schools, the cost of hiring a brass band was a major expense and in 1935, at Canonstown, they considered using a radio van instead. I am sure, though, there was at least one voice that would have said, “But tidn the same!”
1939: Canonstown: “The Methodist Sunday-school treat was held on Saturday. A procession, headed by Penzance Silver Band, paraded the village, returning to the schoolroom for tea. Buns were distributed to the children …” (27 July 1939 – Cornishman)
Cedric Appleby suggests that the tea treat here may have been saved by the war due to the inclusion of many evacuees and the resultant Food Office permits for the supply of tea and sugar. Tea treat saffron buns were, of course, provided.
Carfury
William Morris, of St Ives Old Cornwall Society, provided an account of Carfury Methodist Sunday School tea treat from the early 1920s. It was written by Ivy and Eileen Osborn (as they were then) of New Mill. “These were organised by Edward Lutey, the local preacher of Carfury Chapel and took place in a nearby field. Tables and forms were set out and parents and children walked in their best clothes from the villages around to the field. The general festivities began with the children playing the then popular children’s game called ‘Kiss in the Ring’ to get warmed up. Various other games would be played before tea was organised at six o’clock in the late afternoon when the parents ate a cream tea on the tables and the children drank tea and ate feast buns on the grass.”
Carharrack
1920: “The Sunday school tea treat took place on Thursday afternoon in a field adjoining the chapel. Headed by the Carharrack Brass Band, the scholars paraded the town to St Day, and then returned to the field … A public tea was also provided.” (24 June 1920 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1946: “Carharrack tea treat. Assembling at the schoolroom, a procession was formed and, led by officers of the Sunday-school and Carharrack and St Day Silver Band, paraded the village and Trevarth, returning to the playing field where the children were served with tea and large saffron buns …” (27 June 1946 – Cornishman)
1950: Carharrack Wesley Sunday School: “The Rev. A. M. Freeman gave a short address and a procession led by officers of the Sunday school and Carharrack and St Day Silver Band paraded the village. The children were served with tea and saffron buns …” (29 June 1950 – Cornishman)
Carleen
1879: “At Horse Downs tea, on Saturday, the Mullion Band was well received while the Mammoth School tea at Carleen, on the same day, Helston Rifle Band performed a capital selection…” (7 August 1879 – Cornishman)
Carnyorth
1919: Carnyorth Free Methodist Church: “The United Methodist School met in a field kindly lent by Mr. White, and paraded the district, headed by the St Just Old Town Band. The Free Methodist Church School met in Mr. Olds’ field, and joined in the procession, headed by the Trewellard Brass Band. Returning to the field, the children were supplied with buns and tea…” (11 June 1919 – Cornishman)
1944: “The Summer Festival of the Carnyorth Free Methodist Church Sunday School was held on Whit-Monday. The Pendeen Band, under Bandmaster J Marks, was in attendance, and the children had a happy time with tea and buns in the field…” (1 June 1944 – Cornishman)
Carnkie
1875 – 22nd July: “Burrows Brass Band played for the Carnkie (Illogan) Wesleyan Sunday School annual tea.
1881: Carnkie: “The tea treat was held on Saturday, when the school (numbering about two hundred) marched from the chapel, headed by the St Agnes Brass Band, through the little village. Tea was provided in a field opposite the chapel and the weather being fine …” (30 June 1881 – Cornishman)
1885: “… The annual tea treat in connection with Carnkie Wesleyan Sunday School was held on Saturday last. Headed by [the new] Redruth Independent Brass Band, the school went to Wheal Basset and South Frances Mines and through Mr Rogers’ gardens.…” (26 June 1885 – Cornubian and Redruth Times)
Carnkie Wesleyan Sunday School held its June 1886 annual tea treat in the school-yard and afterwards the children moved to an adjoining field. St Agnes Independent Brass Band was engaged for the occasion but during the evening, the Carnkie Fife and Drum Band arrived and began playing in opposition. We can guess what the St Agnes Band members thought of it but the “Cornubian and Redruth Times” reported that: “These proceedings were productive of much amusement”.
1886: “Carnkie Primitive Methodist Sunday School held their tea-treat on Saturday. Penryn Brass Band and the Carnkie Fife and Drum Band were in attendance…” (23 July 1886 – Cornubian and Redruth Times)
1893: Carnkie Bible Christians Sunday School: “The 28th annual festival of the Bible-Christian Sunday-school was held on Thursday. To the music of the Carnmenellis Brass Band, teachers and scholars paraded the village …” (20 July 1893 – Cornishman)
1900: “Carnkie Primitive Methodists held their annual tea-treat on Saturday. Hayle Artillery Band was in attendance…” (20 July 1900 – Cornubian and Redruth Times)
1903: “Carnkie Primitive Methodists held their annual tea treat Saturday. They were headed from that place to Redruth by the Redruth Town Band, under the conductorship of Mr Wills. On the return journey the children, were regaled with a good tea…” (23 July 1903 – Cornishman)
1903: Carnkie Bible Christian Sunday School: “… was held in glorious weather on Saturday. The officers, teachers and scholars assembled in the schoolroom, and headed by the Penzance Town Band, marched through the village to the top of the hill and subsequently adjourned to a field near the chapel, …” (25 July 1903 – Lake’s Falmouth Packet and Cornwall Advertiser)
Carnon Downs
Philip Davey of Carnon Downs Old Cornwall and Carnon Downs Methodist Church spotted an item in the “Royal Cornwall Gazette” of the 11th June 1870 which suggests that the tea treat there was a sizeable affair. “Carnon Downs Wesleyan Sunday School – On Monday, the annual festival of this school was held on Killiganoon lawn, kindly lent for the purpose by Mr T Davey Simmons. About 230 children partook of tea and cake under the superintendence of Mr W Davey. The Sunday school teachers and visitors, numbering from three to four hundred, afterwards had tea in the same place. Mr Oates of Feock, Mr R Tucker of Devoran and Mr Burrow of Devoran, afterwards delivered addresses on Sunday school teaching.”
1940: Carnon Downs Tea Treat (Photo: courtesy Philip Davey / Carnon Downs Old Cornwall Society / Carnon Downs Methodist Church)
Philip Davey provided this interesting account of a talk by Mr Thomas Trebilcock (1880-1973) to the Carnon Downs Wesley Guild in 1952 and recorded in the Carnon Downs Local History Groups’ publication. “Feock: Some Aspects of Local History 2006”. Thomas recalled that their Sunday school was started by Mr Edward Olive in his workshop at Ebenezer two years before the chapel was built, which would have put it at about 1823. When it was transferred to the chapel the number of children rose to 200. Mr Trebilcock said that when he first attended there were about 150 children. He recalled that after he became secretary (around 1900) the number of pupils and teachers kept steadily around 125 for several years. The anniversary was always kept on Whit Sunday and the tea treat on Whit Monday. In the early days, this was held at Tregye until the death of Juliana Penrose and the sale of Tregye to Lord Falmouth in 1850. It was then held at Killiganoon for a span of 65 years until, in 1915, it became more convenient to hold it in a field near the chapel.
Of the games played at the tea treat Mr Trebilcock recounts: “The kissing ring and the game of twos and threes were the beginning of many a romance. If a young man walked home with a girl that meant taking her to Truro Whitsun Fair the following Saturday. If he treated her generously it soon led to wedding bells. One young man, according to custom, took his girl to the fair. The price of admission to the larger shows was sixpence, for the smaller ones it was threepence and the very few small ones, one penny. He could only afford a penny and paid it for the girl to go in while he waited outside. That is how William lost his Mary and how for the rest of his life he was known by the nickname, ‘Pennyboy’.”
This 1944 poster shows a typical Sunday school anniversary weekend. On Whit Sunday there were two services: an afternoon service with singing by the children and later community singing. The tea treat came on the following day, Whit Monday, with traditional games and sports in the field opposite the chapel (running races, egg and spoon, sack races etc). The refreshments included the traditional tea treat bun. (Photo: courtesy Philip Davey / Carnon Downs Old Cornwall Society / Carnon Downs Methodist Church)
This 1945 picture, taken about a month after VE Day, shows how well-attended Carnon Downs Sunday school was (Photo: courtesy Philip Davey / Carnon Downs Old Cornwall Society / Carnon Downs Methodist Church)
“At some point after the war, the Carnon Downs tea treat was moved from the Whitsun weekend but it continued to be held in June, sometimes followed by a beach trip in July. The tea treat was held in the field opposite the chapel, which later became the playing field and a large part of which is now the Park an Gwarry estate. There were games for the children and the usual country sports – egg and spoon, sack races, three-legged races, slow bicycle races and always the traditional tea treat bun. The tea treat would begin with the children parading round the village behind a band. Beach visits to Carbis Bay and St Ives sometimes required as many as three coaches for the children, parents and friends.” (Phillip Davey)
1950s: The parade on its way down the main road through Carnon Downs, now called Forth Coth (Photo: courtesy Philip Davey / Carnon Downs Old Cornwall Society / Carnon Downs Methodist Church)
The 1985 tea treat picture with the Sunday school’s new banner made by Geraldine and Venessa Allen. In that year, and for several years, the parade around the village was led by St Keverne Band and following this there were visits by Camborne, Truro and Redruth bands. The programme began with a hymn and a prayer before the parade left the chapel yard. The route took in Quenchwell Road, Forth Noweth, Manse Road, Bissoe Road, Knights Meadow, Trelawne Road, Mount Agar, Old Carnon Hill and Forth Coth before returning to the chapel. (Philip Davey / Carnon Downs Old Cornwall Society / Carnon Downs Methodist Church)
Philip Davey has found only once, in 1991, when bad weather was noted in the Carnon Downs tea treat records and that was when Redruth Band led the parade in the rain and gave a concert in the Sunday School instead of in the open air. The usual sports and games were cancelled but stalls went ahead. Refreshments ordered that year included 150 tea treat buns, 50 splits and 200 finger rolls. In 1992 it was decided to hold a tea treat every two years and in the same year it was decided to change the name of the Sunday School to Carnon Downs Junior Church. The phrase ‘tea treat’ does not appears in the Junior Church minutes after 1993, but in following years there were summer activity days organized for the youngsters – complete with tea treat buns. The Junior Church itself continued for many more years. (Philip Davey / Carnon Downs Old Cornwall Society / Carnon Downs Methodist Church)
Carthew
1907 circa: Carthew Tea Treat with Stenalees Band
Chacewater
1884: Chacewater Zion Bible Christian Sunday School: “…The children and teachers marched from the chapel to Chacewater headed by the St Agnes Brass Band (Red Coats), who played selections of music at intervals…” (11 July 1884 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1894: St Paul’s Church, Chacewater: “… A large number assembled at the Board schoolroom, where a procession was formed and, headed by the Illogan Brass and Reed Band, marched through the village back to the Board Schools, where tea was provided.” (19 July 1894 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1903: Chacewater. “The annual festival of the Band of Hope was held on Monday. In the afternoon the members had their usual walk, headed St Dennis Brass Band. A public tea was provided, and in the evening an entertainment was ably rendered by friends from Goonhavern.” (28 May 1903 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1908: Chacewater. “The Band of Hope tea took place on Saturday in beautiful weather. The members perambulated the district, headed by Queens Brass Band. Tea was provided in a field, and largely partook of. games, etc., were also greatly enjoyed.” (11 June 1908 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1908: Chacewater Wesleyan Sunday School Annual tea treat: “… Assembling at the schoolroom, the teachers, officers, and scholars formed in procession, and headed by the Devoran Brass and Reed Band, perambulated the terraces of the village, after which the Serpentine march took place in the centre of the village.” (2 July 1908 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1909: “… Chacewater Wesleyan Sunday school treat took place on Tuesday when, after a perambulation of the village, headed by the Camborne Town Band, the teachers and scholars repaired to a field, where tea was provided and largely patronised. …” (24 June 1909 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1910: “… The Chacewater Wesleyan Sunday school treat took place on Friday afternoon. Headed by the Illogan Brass and Reed Band, the teachers and scholars perambulated the principal places of the neighbourhood, and returned to a field …” (30 June 1910 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
Charlestown
Charlestown Tea Treat Banner found during the Rescorla Project (Photo: courtesy Mac Waters)
1900 circa: Charlestown Sunday School Treat (Photo: courtesy Mac Waters)
1923: Charlestown Wesleyan Church: “On Feast Tuesday the scholars and teachers, headed by Penwithick Silver Band, paraded the village to Mount Charles.” (31 May 1923 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
Chyangweal
1892: Chyangweal New Connexion and Canonstown Wesleyan: “… The weather was very inclement and undoubtedly prevented many from attending. Each school formed a procession led by the Lelant Downs and St Erth Brass Bands, respectively. The children were regaled with tea and bans, and a public tea followed.” (21 July 1892 – The Cornish Telegraph)
Cedric Appleby writes that Chyangweal New Connexion Methodists used the tearooms of Mr Williams.
Constantine
1869: Constantine Church Sunday School tea treat “… children met in their large and commodious school-room at 3 p.m., where they formed in procession, headed by the Constantine Amateur Band, and proceeded to the school-room where they were amply regaled with tea and cake…” (21 August 1869 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1939: Constantine “The annual tea treat in connection with the Methodist Sunday-school took place on Thursday. A procession, headed by Indian Queens Silver Band, paraded the village and neighbourhood, returning to ac field lent by Mr. J. Courage. A public tea followed that of the scholars’ tea.” (17 August 1939 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
Coombe, St Stephen-in-Brannel
1920s: Coombe, St Stephen-in-Brannel United Methodist Tea Treat (Photo: courtesy of Malcolm Gould / China Clay History Society)
1920s: Coombe, St Stephen-in-Brannel United Methodist Tea Treat (Photo: courtesy of Malcolm Gould / China Clay History Society)
1920s: Coombe, St Stephen-in-Brannel United Methodist Tea Treat (Photo: courtesy of Malcolm Gould / China Clay History Society)
1920s: Coombe, St Stephen-in-Brannel United Methodist Tea Treat (Photo: courtesy of Malcolm Gould / China Clay History Society)
1920s: Coombe, St Stephen-in-Brannel United Methodist Tea Treat (Photo: courtesy of Malcolm Gould / China Clay History Society)
Copperhouse
1924: Copperhouse Wesleyan Band of Hope: “…The teachers and scholars met at the chapel 3.30 pm and, headed by the Hayle Town Band, under Bandmaster Tanner, they marched through the streets of Copperhouse to the Hayle railway crossing…” (6 August 1924 – Cornishman)
1937: “… Copper House Methodist Sunday-school held their tea treat on Hayle Towans August Bank Holiday. Headed by the Hayle Town Silver Band, they marched through the streets over to the Towans, where tea and buns were provided for the children…” (5 August 1937 – Cornishman)
Coverack
1879: “Coverack tea was held on Wednesday, when Trevarno was visited. Porkellis Band was in attendance. At Horse Downs tea, on Saturday, the Mullion Band was well received while the Mammoth School tea at Carleen, on the same day, Helston Rifle Band performed a capital selection…” (7 August 1879 – Cornishman)
1914: “Helston Temperance Band, under Mr. F. James, attended the tea treats of Coverack Bridges (Tuesday), and (Wesleyan) and Herland Cross (Saturday) …” (16 July 1914 – Cornishman)
Crantock
1905: Crantock Wesleyan Chapel: “… The annual scholars’ treat was held yesterday. The children paraded the village, headed by Foxhole Brass Band, and after tea a musical service was given in the chapel by Newquay Wesleyan Choir. …” (18 May 1905 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1915: Crantock Sunday School Tea Treat
Crofthandy
1852: Crofthandy Wesleyan Sunday School: “The Sunday school, 205 in number, were regaled with cake and tea. The children assembled at the school room and with Mr Emidy’s Brass Band [Truro] with flags and banners, perambulated the different villages in the neighbourhood. The weather being fine, …” (25 June 1852 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
The Crofthandy Methodist Sunday School tea treat in 1948 was led by officers carrying the school banner. With Carharrack and St Day Silver Band providing the music, the procession paraded the streets of St Day and returned to a field lent by Mr M Martin. (Cornishman 8th July 1948)
Crosscoombe
1906 circa: – Crosscoombe Primitive Methodist Chapel demolished in 1943 to make way for RAF Perranporth runway extension (Photo: courtesy Clive Benney)
1907 circa: Thought to be Crosscoombe Sunday School Tea Treat
1907 – 13th July: Crosscoombe Sunday School tea-treat procession headed by the banner carriers and Bugle Brass Band. The procession marched down London Lane to Menadue’s Shop where the band played and hymns were sung. From there they marched through Trevellas and out to Lavender Cottage (top of Coombe Road) where they turned and retraced their steps back to Trevellas as seen in the photo. The tea-treat was held in Mr Berryman’s field and the weather was glorious all day and evening. (Photo: courtesy Clive Benney)
1912: Crosscoombe Primitive Tea Treat (Photo: courtesy Clive Benney)
1914: Crosscoombe Primitive tea-treat procession has just passed Zion House as it heads back towards the chapel: the band have stopped playing as they face into the wind. In the background behind the left pole is Cliff Cottage and the Catholic Church just to its right. (Photo: courtesy Clive Benney)
Crosscoombe tea treats were great days and according to Ruth Jennings, “The Sunday school pupils, teachers and families met at the chapel at two o’clock and after a short service, formed a procession headed by a brass band, usually from St Agnes. The Sunday school paraded from the chapel to Trevellas post office where we sang a hymn before turning to parade up through the village, past the blacksmith’s shop opposite the Men’s Institute, along as far as the top of Harmony Cot road to Lavender Cottage, the home of the Hooper family. Returning to Crosscoombe Chapel, and a field lent by Mr Mitchell, where the traditional saffron buns and mugs of tea were served to the children. There, the ladies of the chapel were waiting to serve the public at the tables very beautifully laid with cakes and buttered splits and so on, all on lovely white table cloths and the best bone china and silver tea-pots and hot water jugs. The water was always boiled on a fire by a man employed as a stoker. There would also be a stall of fruit and sweets provided by Jack Letcher and, after his death, by his son, Johnnie Letcher.”
Richie Sandercock recalled 1938 when St Agnes Band played at Crosscoombe tea treat. “We marched from the chapel to Zion House and then down London Lane to where it met the Perranporth to St Agnes road. We turned right and went up the hill into Trevellas where we turned right again at the men’s institute and headed back for Zion House and the chapel (the route had been somewhat longer in previous years). My brothers Bill and John were also in the band. It was a full-day event and we always finished tea treats with the Serpentine Walk.” (2)
1939: “Crosscombe Methodist Sunday school treat was held in July when teachers and scholars, headed by the St Agnes Silver Band, paraded the village. On returning to the school the children were provided with buns. A public tea was served …” (20 July 1939 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
Crowlas
1895: “Crowlas Wesleyan Band of Hope held their annual festival on the 28th ult. Having paraded the villages, headed by the Marazion Artillery Brass Band, the members numbering about 250, partook of tea in the chapel. A capital entertainment was afterwards given …” (2 February 1895 – Western Morning News)
1929: “Crowlas Wesleyan Sunday-school held their annual tea on Saturday, the parade being headed throughout the village by Towednack Band. Tea was served in the schoolroom and sports were held in a field …” (27 June 1929 – Cornishman)
Crowlas Methodist Sunday School 1956
Cubert
1911: Cubert Tea Treat with Summercourt Band (Photo: courtesy Dick Cole)
Cury
1849: Cury Wesleyan Association Sunday School: “On Tuesday last, the Sunday scholars, accompanied by the Cury Band were taken to Kynance where about 100 of the scholars were entertained …” (RCG 11th May 1849)
1912: Cury United Methodist Sunday School: “…The teachers, scholars and friends, after assembling at the chapel, formed a procession and headed by Helston Temperance Band, walked to the beautiful grounds of Bochym…” (1 August 1912 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
Degibna
1904: Degibna Tea Treat (Photo: courtesy Paul Phillips)
Delabole
1871: Delabole Band of Hope: “… procession perambulated the villages of Madrose and Pengelly, carrying suitable flags and banners, and headed by the Delabole Brass Band, repaired to a field. They were amply regaled with tea and cake. …” (24 June 1871 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1895: “Delabole Rechabites held their annual festival on Saturday. In the procession they marched through the village headed by the Delabole Brass Band. A public tea followed and at the evening meeting addresses were given by Rev. P. W. Aylett and Mr. Pearce.” (1 August 1895 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1899: Delabole: “Delabole Bible Christians held their annual Band of Hope celebration on Saturday. The children and teachers of the Sunday-school met at Medrose in the afternoon and paraded the town, headed by the Delabole Brass Band (under Mr. Miles), which also played selections during tea. A well-patronised public tea was followed by an excellent meeting …” (7 September 1899 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1900: Delabole United Temperance Festival: “… The children of the Wesleyan United Methodist Free Church and the Bible Christian Sunday Schools met at the United Methodist Free Church and formed a procession. Headed by the Delabole Brass Band (conducted by Mr. J. D. Smith) they paraded the town, returning to the United Methodist Free Church Schoolroom for tea.” (6 September 1900 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1907: “… Delabole Band of Hope festival was held on Saturday. After parading the town, headed by the Delabole Brass Band, the members were provided with tea. A public tea was also held, and later a public meeting, Mr. J. Richards presiding.” (5 September 1907 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
Devoran
1919: Devoran Church Tea Treat
Deveral
1949 circa: Deveral Tea Treat led by David Goldsworthy (left) and Richard Henry “Reggie” Phillips (Photo: courtesy Paul Phillips)
Drift
1876: “The anniversary of Drift Bible Christian Sunday School was celebrated on Good Friday. Trewellard Brass Band was in attendance and played admirably. Upwards of 70 children and 130 adults partook the tea and cake provided…” (2 May 1876 – The Cornish Telegraph)
Edgcumbe
1912: “Penryn Sunday School tea treat – Edgcumbe Wesleyan Sunday School held their annual treat on Thursday. Headed by Helston Temperance Band, they marched in procession to Buttris Gate, thence to London Wells, and afterwards to field at Buttris, …” (11 July 1912 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
1920: “The annual tea in connection with the Edgcumbe Wesleyan Band of Hope was held on Thursday. Headed by Porkellis Brass and Reed Band, members of the Band of Hope paraded to the top Retanna-hill, back to Rame Cross to the Sunday School. Tea was served …” (12 August 1920 – West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser)
Enniscaven
1944: Enniscaven Sunday School Treat but not everyone found it a happy occasion (Photo: courtesy Mac Waters)
Falmouth
1876: “On Tuesday the teachers and children, accompanied by the children of the Falmouth Union, and the Independent Brass Band, proceeded to the grounds of Bellavista, the seat of Mr. J. Blarney, where they were amply supplied with tea and cake.” (29 July 1876 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1887: “… children of the Falmouth Union joined in the procession and took tea with the children of the society. The Independent Brass Band was in attendance.” (3 June 1887 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1891: Falmouth “… by Mr. Cloak, to which the children marched in procession, headed by the Temperance Brass Band, with … banners flying, when they were afterwards regaled with cake and tea, public tea being provided for visitors …” (27 June 1891 – Lake’s Falmouth Packet and Cornwall Advertiser)
Andy Pentecost of Truro Old Cornwall Society recalls growing up in Falmouth in the 1960s and 70s. He said, “I fondly remember going on many All Saints Sunday school outings to the grounds of St Mawes Church for an afternoon tea of splits with jam and cream. We went by the river ferry which could be interesting, especially on the return voyage!”
Flushing
1891: Flushing Church School tea treat: “… After a short service in the church the children and teachers perambulated the village, headed by the Falmouth Gospel Temperance Band. They next went to the schoolroom, where a good tea was provided. After tea they adjourned to a field near the church …” (20 August 1891 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
Fowey
The first instance that we have found of such an event being called a “tea treat” was in a report in the “Royal Cornwall Gazette” in June 1835 of a gathering at Fowey. “On Tuesday the annual tea treat was given to the children of the different Sunday schools in the town, the Wesleyans in the chapel yard, Independents at Trethowel, Baptists at Lower Trewhiddle and Brianites at another farm In the neighbourhood, and the day was spent by all parties In the utmost harmony, the teachers joining the children in their sports.”
1895: Fowey Wesleyan Sunday School: “The tea treat took place on Wednesday last, in a field overlooking the town, kindly lent by Mr C B Treffry. The Fowey Volunteer Band attended, and the children and teachers marched through the town after assembling. It was a lovely day …” (20 June 1895 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
Fraddam
1930: “The annual Sunday school Festival was held at Fraddam on Saturday in beautiful weather. The procession was led by Penzance Independent Prize Silver Band under the conductorship of Mr. J. Probert, and tea and buns were provided for the children. …” (31 July 1930 – Cornishman)
Fraddon
1875: Fraddon Bible Christian Sabbath School: “… On Monday the teachers and children met at the school, formed a procession and, being headed by Queens Brass Band, they marched to the different spots of interest, after which they repaired to the amphitheatre, …” (24 July 1875 – Royal Cornwall Gazette)
1900s: Fraddon United Methodist Tea Treat held in Indian Queens Pit
End notes:
- “Blackwater and Its Neighbours” (ISBN 0-9545583-4-0) by Clive Benney and Tony Mansell (Trelease Publications – out of print)
- “Jericho to Cligga” (ISBN 0-9545583-6-7) by Clive Benney and Tony Mansell (Trelease Publications) (Trelease Publications – out of print)
