Tea party attracts holiday crowds (From Oxford Mail)

Tea party attracts holiday crowds

7:55pm Monday 4th May 2009 in News

ALICE in Wonderland, Tweedledum and Tweedledee were among the characters who braved the wind for a tea party with a difference.

At the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party today, traders transformed Dawson Street, off Cowley Road, into a magical wonderland drawing hundreds of Bank Holiday revellers.

Giant playing cards hung from lamp-posts and storytellers entertained children with masks and puppets. Others enjoyed tea and cake on specially decked out tables and chairs.

Organiser Erica Steinhauer said: “We’ve had a good turnout despite the weather. We’ve never not had sun before.

“We had lobster tossing and flamingo frolics and the children got prizes. Everyone gets prizes, just like the Dodo says in Alice in Wonderland.”

Aislinn McManara, 20, of Oxford, said: “Anything that brings kids on to the street feeling secure and where they can enjoy themselves in public is wonderful.”

All the proceeds will go to Cowley Road-based charity Sumatran Orangutan Society (SOS).