Burghers and buns

TASTY . . . guests sample Housing Units’ new afternoon tea menu. From left, doorman Frank Hodgson, Mayor of Bedford Dave Hodgson, doorman Peter Brooks, June Smith from Oldham Council, Wickentree head chef Rick Dunkley, Housing Units director Nick Fox, Councillor Howard Sykes and waitress Janine Whitehead

Mayors sample a slice of history

THE Mayor of Bedford paid a visit to Oldham to celebrate the traditional afternoon tea.

Dave Hodgson dropped into Housing Units in Hollinwood to sample the restaurant’s new afternoon tea which has been renamed The Bedford after Anna the 7th Duchess of Bedford.

Anna is credited with devising the concept of afternoon tea in the 1840s as a way to ward off hunger pangs between lunch and dinner.

Sandwiches

The traditional afternoon tea consists of sandwiches, cakes, tea, coffee and champagne.

The Duchess began by having a tray of bread and butter served to her mid-afternoon.

It became a regular occurrence and she started inviting her friends and adding pastries, scones and clotted cream to the menu.

These habits soon became a good reason for social gatherings and started a trend that is still very much a part of British life.

Councillor Howard Sykes joined the Mayor of Bedford to sample the relaunched afternoon tea menu at the store’s Wickentree restaurant.

He said: “I am delighted to welcome the Mayor of Bedford to Oldham on what was a very tasty occasion. I’m sure The Bedford will be everyone’s cup of tea.”