HIGH Tea at the Savoy came to Bow on Sunday, September 9, when Bow WI held its major fundraising event of the year as well as giving everyone a culinary treat.

All the food, including a Preserves table of jams and chutneys, was home-made by the members.

One of the people there said the spread laid on by the Bow ladies was better than one of the top Devon hotels. People who went to last year’s Tea, the first, booked again for this year and the same happened this year as well.

Sixty-eight people sat down to tea including three members of Lewrenchard WI (they had met Bow members at a national meeting and have supported each other since) as well as a group from North Tawton institute.

There was a big raffle for WI funds which raised £119.

The prizes included generous donations by the Bow WI members. One of the prizes was a hamper that was donated by the Bow Cooperative store.

Gladys Leigh provided the table flowers as well as the home-grown Veg hamper raffle prize.

A single raffle in aid of Chrissie Mulindabigwi’s Rwanda Women’s Education Project raised £80. The project includes a very popular Dress Making qualification which enables the women to provide for their children and families.

The money raised will be enough for them to buy four sewing machines. The prizes for this raffle were two luncheon vouchers for two for the Tom Cobley Tavern, Spreyton, thanks to Roger and Carol, proprietors.

The money goes out to Chrissie via her parents, David and Thelma Hayman, who live in Bow. Chrissie returns at least once-a-year.

There were 11 tables around the newly-decorated hall which now looks light and welcoming.

The kitchen used 12 pints of milk, a full pack of ground coffee and one box of Yorkshire tea bags.

The sandwiches, cut into small triangles, included roast beef, horseradish and rocket, salmon with dill mayonnaise, egg and cress and cheese and tomato chutney.

There was a variety of savouries including blinis with a variety of toppings, mini quiches, smoked salmon roulade and vol-au-vents.

Then there were all the cakes, chocolate brownies, mini apple strudels, Viennese whirls and mini key lime cheesecakes, and of course, scones with jam and clotted cream, all served by WI members acting as waitresses.

Bow WI president, Mrs Dinach Pritchett-Farrell, had persuaded her grandchildren to act as Meet and Greeters, showing people to their tables.

Music was provided by Greg Bushell and Phoebe Laing-Taylor, Silk and Strings, based in Hatherleigh, playing some of their own compositions as well as old favourites.

The posy of flowers on each table was won by the person whose chair had a number underneath.

Best dressed awards went to Mrs Pam Cranch, Lee Fallows and the Coe family who won the children’s prize.