HIGH TEA STORIES
Margaret's Piece of Treasure
In 1955 Father Christmas presented Maggie and her twin sister Jennifer with a china tea set which Maggie still has today. That passion for china has continued over the years with her collection open to the public to view and hire
It all began with her childhood days when her Grandmother, Grandfather and their eleven family m embers sat around the lounge having high tea from Grandma's beautiful fine china and silverware which was placed on beautiful embroidered table linen.
As a grandchild, Maggie and her 3 siblings, had their own special child’s tea set complete with four trio sets, (cup saucer and plate), sugar bowl, milk jug and a teapot.
Grandma would sit them around a small table and spoil them with the homemade lemonade which we poured from the little teapot. Maggie would sip her drink as if it was a hot cup of tea, and nibble on the sponge butterfly cake with its dab of cream under the sponge wings which Granny had placed on the side plate. Sweets replaced the sugar cubes in the sugar bowl. Such happy memories.
Maggie's collection of cups began when she and her siblings were brought up on a farm and school holidays saw the school master holidaying out of the district. While the teacher was away the cows needed milking, Maggie from the age of 10 was always willing to carry out this chore. When the teacher returned, a single china tea cup set was given as a sign of appreciation.
On the farm also lived a retired old Scotsman who traveled to town twice a year. Upon his return from the town visit, he would treat Maggie and her sister with a small gift……yes another china cup set.
As her collection began to grow, she was then presented with a complete tea set from her grandparents in 1970. Maggie still treasures those very special pieces of china and loves to share her story of such happy memories with her family and friends.
This was the beginning of Maggie’s culmination of a lifelong love affair with beautiful fine vintage bone china, vintage silverware, tableware, linen, and many other items from this period.
Maggie had been approached on many occasions if she would be prepared to share her collection of cups for high tea parties.
So after much consideration, Maggie decided to set up High Tea Hire and share her passion and bring back the art of the English High Tea by hiring out her china and accessories.
Let’s remember the years gone by and share the experience, the joy, and the delights of an exquisite high tea event with your family and friends in your home, or selected venue.
Honour your family and friends with that amazing vintage style wedding, baby shower, dinner party, garden party, special celebration or any other event where Maggie's fine vintage bone china can be used and appreciated along with props to create a magical display.
Maggie Hanlon
Owner/Operator High Tea Hire
Maggie is Hawkes Bay's Specialist in hiring of exquisite English Vintage China and many other vintage items.
She is very passionate about her extra-large collection of vintage china - 450 plus vintage cup sets, vintage cake plates, platters, lace and embroidered and caterer’s linen, crystal glassware, various glass vases, silverware, vintage picnic baskets and other props.
All items are available for hire to Caterers, Event Planners, Production Companies and private clients for those Weddings, Baby Showers, Birthdays, Hens Parties, Bridal Showers, or any celebration.
Maggie loves sharing her passion with those who care for the antique, vintage styling.
You have the choice: - Maggie allows a ‘DIY’ hire option, or she can take care of your vintage styling and set up for you.
Maggie talks with utmost pride and self-satisfaction of her possession and is always keen to give advice.
Call Maggie 06 8445 693 to organise your items for hirage for your bridal shower or that special wedding set as a vintage theme and make your event memorable for all the right reasons.
Maggie's Own Childs Little Tea Set
Maggie's little tea set from 1955. Her piece of treasure
Read about how this lot of china made it's way to Maggie's China Cabinet
English Royston 1923 era
When I started my Vintage China Hire business, I was called in to see if I would like to purchase some china from this elderly couple who had arrived from England with their mothers wedding present china tea set of 1923. How could I refuse.
The Dilmah family dined on this beautiful set at the 2017 Art Deco weekend in Napier, New Zealand. This set is my very special piece of treasure
Mission Estate Garden Party
My very first Garden Party hire was at the Mission Estate Winery. A large crowd enjoyed the fruits of the day, the confetti music quartet playing softly in the distance, and sipping on tea from fine english bone china.
Dilmah & Maggie Owner High Tea Hire
Merrill J Fernando owner of Dilmah Tea and Maggie owner of High Tea Hire sharing the Royston china tea set
English Foley - Ming Rose - 1942 era
Also along with this set was the couples own wedding present of 1942 tea set. The gentleman explained to me , as families were of big numbers there was 12 cup saucer and plates to the sets. I was the lucky one and I love sharing my precious pieces with people who appreciate fine bone English china.
Table Setting
Approx 80 enjoyed the selection of Macarons, club sandwiches, asparagus rolls, lemon tarts, cupcakes and more. There was no excuse to go away hungry
English Ridgway Dinner Set 1950's
Next thing I know the dinner set was out and being packed into a box for me to take home. I arrived home with 2 tea sets, a dinner set complete with meat trays, terrine dishes, gravy boat and lots of silver to polish.
PSEC Yearly Garden Party
The Presbyterian Society East Coast Yearly Garden Party High Tea Hire supplied all the linen, china and cutlery. The day is full of fun with games to play after the tea has been sipped.
HIGH TEA STORIES
Margarets' Piece of Treasure
In 1955 Father Christmas presented Maggie and her twin sister Jennifer with a china tea set which Maggie still has today. That passion for china has continued over the years with her collection open to the public to view and hire
It all began with her childhood days when her Grandmother, Grandfather and their eleven family m embers sat around the lounge having high tea from Grandma's beautiful fine china and silverware which was placed on beautiful embroidered table linen.
As a grandchild, Maggie and her 3 siblings, had their own special child’s tea set complete with four trio sets, (cup saucer and plate), sugar bowl, milk jug and a teapot.
Grandma would sit them around a small table and spoil them with the homemade lemonade which we poured from the little teapot. Maggie would sip her drink as if it was a hot cup of tea, and nibble on the sponge butterfly cake with its dab of cream under the sponge wings which Granny had placed on the side plate. Sweets replaced the sugar cubes in the sugar bowl. Such happy memories.
Maggie's collection of cups began when she and her siblings were brought up on a farm and school holidays saw the school master holidaying out of the district. While the teacher was away the cows needed milking, Maggie from the age of 10 was always willing to carry out this chore. When the teacher returned, a single china tea cup set was given as a sign of appreciation.
On the farm also lived a retired old Scotsman who traveled to town twice a year. Upon his return from the town visit, he would treat Maggie and her sister with a small gift……yes another china cup set.
As her collection began to grow, she was then presented with a complete tea set from her grandparents in 1970. Maggie still treasures those very special pieces of china and loves to share her story of such happy memories with her family and friends.
This was the beginning of Maggie’s culmination of a lifelong love affair with beautiful fine vintage bone china, vintage silverware, tableware, linen, and many other items from this period.
Maggie had been approached on many occasions if she would be prepared to share her collection of cups for high tea parties.
So after much consideration, Maggie decided to set up High Tea Hire and share her passion and bring back the art of the English High Tea by hiring out her china and accessories. Let’s remember the years gone by and share the experience, the joy, and the delights of an exquisite high tea event with your family and friends in your home, or selected venue. Or impress your family and friends with that amazing vintage style wedding, baby shower, dinner party, garden party, special celebration or any other event where Maggie's fine vintage bone china can be used and appreciated along with props to create a magical display.
Maggie Hanlon
Owner/Operator High Tea Hire
Maggie's Own Childs Little Tea Set
Maggie's little tea set from 1955. Her piece of treasure
Read about how this lot of china made it's way to Maggie's China Cabinet
English Royston 3655
When I started my Vintage China Hire business, I was called in to see if I would like to purchase some china from this elderly couple who had arrived from England with their mothers wedding present china tea set of 1923. How could I refuse.
The Dilmah family dined on this beautiful set at the 2017 Art Deco weekend in Napier, New Zealand. This set is my very special piece of treasure
English Foley - Ming Rose - 2500
Also along with this set was the couples own wedding present of 1942 tea set. The gentleman explained to me , as families were of big numbers there was 12 cup saucer and plates to the sets. I was the lucky one and I love sharing my precious pieces with people who appreciate fine bone English china.
English Ridgway Dinner Set 1950's
Next thing I know the dinner set was out and being packed into a box for me to take home.I arrived home with 2 tea sets, a dinner set complete with meat trays, terrine dishes, gravy boat and lots of silver to polish.
More stories to be told - watch this space