Dozens of people dressed in their most colourful attire and finest hats to attend Montserrat National Trust’s annual flower show and tea party.
The afternoon gathering was held at the Botanical Garden on Thursday, 14 March, and featured a display of beautiful blooms, high tea, a hat parade competition, and a garden tour.
This year’s theme was ‘Embracing Montserrat’s peace and tranquillity’, and according to host Delmaude Ryan, there were several reasons for the event.
It was firstly to raise money for EcoPlay Montserrat – an eco-play park which will be built at the far end of the Botanical Garden, she said during her opening speech.
The trust has been raising funds for the park for two years and has so far gathered about half of the EC$800,000 needed.
The event was also held to highlight the horticulturalists and gardeners in Montserrat, and allow them to display their flowers, crops and produce, Ryan said.
In her short speech, Sarita Francis, Montserrat National Trust executive director, encouraged attendees to enjoy themselves and continue to contribute to the trust.
Governor Sarah Tucker, who is a patron of Montserrat National Trust, then thanked the trust for everything they do for the community and asked people to support the eco-play park.
She said attendees were in for a “real treat” before cutting the ribbon to open the flower show and tea party and welcoming guests in to enjoy the day.
Montserrat National Trust’s main objectives are to conserve and enhance the beauty of Montserrat, to preserve and rehabilitate historical sites and to preserve the fauna and flora.
It also aims to make the public aware of the value and beauty of the island’s heritage, to pursue a policy of preservation and act in an advisory capacity, and to acquire property for the benefit of the island.
The trust does this by means of subscriptions, donations, bequests and grants.
