The annual Vintage Afternoon Tea at the Barrington Centre, held in support of the John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation, once again proved to be a wonderful celebration of community spirit and generosity. The event continues to sell out year after year, thanks to the unwavering support of local residents, businesses, and our incredible volunteers.

The Barrington Centre was the perfect venue, and guests enjoyed a delicious traditional afternoon tea, complemented by lively entertainment from the ever‑popular Land Girls. Their performances had the audience singing along and waving flags, creating a wonderful atmosphere filled with nostalgia and fond memories of days gone by.

The event would not be possible without the dedication of an outstanding team of eighteen volunteers who worked tirelessly behind the scenes. From preparing and serving freshly made sandwiches, scones, and cakes to ensuring every detail ran smoothly, their hard work guaranteed that guests enjoyed a truly memorable experience. Huge thanks must go to Jan for the use of her beautiful China and to Liz for organising the Barrington volunteers.

This year’s event was an outstanding success, raising an impressive £2,516 for the Foundation. Special thanks go to BV Dairy for their generous donation of Dorset Clotted Cream, which was a firm favourite among guests and even sparked some good‑natured debate over whether cream or jam should be applied first. One thing everyone agreed on was that Dorset Clotted Cream is an essential ingredient for future teas.

Left to right community champions Nicky Kym & Vikki with Linda & pete thornton

Valuable support was also provided by Asda Poole, Castlepoint, and Bournemouth, with all three stores generously donating bread, sandwich fillings, scones, and jam. Community Champions Vikki, Kym, and Nicky kindly gave up their Saturday to lend a helping hand, and their commitment was greatly appreciated.

Additional thanks go to the local businesses who donated prizes for the raffle, which alone raised an impressive £800, and to Stuart from HSBC for his continued support and matching donation.

Local businesses who supported us so generously include:- Ferndown Leisure Centre, Lulworth Castle, Moors Valley Country Park, Hall and Woodhouse, Etching Summit, Seven Springs Studio, Knoll Gardens, Boots Ferndown, Farmer Palmers, and Kings Park Care Home.

The funds raised will enable the John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation to provide even more opportunities for local young people in the coming year. This success is a true reflection of the generosity and involvement of the local community, and we would like to send a big JTYAF thank you to everyone who contributed to making the event such a success.