Art | STYLE
Grand Russian High Tea Guests at a Gra nd Russia n Hig h Tea at the Roya l Hotel were g reeted w ith a Russia n Spri ng P u nch cock ta i l made w ith Merma id Sa lt Vod ka cou rtesy of the Isle of Wig ht Disti l ler y, Rach ma n i nov from Si mon Dav is on pia no, a nd a rea l Russia n sa mova r loa ned by the Lecon f ield Hotel. Hosted by Lady Chesh i re a nd Lady Gr yl ls, the event was held to lau nch Stepha n Roma n’s new book ‘Isle a nd Empi res’ a nd to ra ise money for Mou ntbatten a nd Dementia U K Ad m i ra l Nu rses I W.
Peter Harrigan and Stephan Roman. Christine Benson (top) and a Russian Afternoon Tea (below). Stephan Roman reading from his book ‘Isle and Empires’.
O
nce seated, guests were treated to a cornucopia of Russian-themed scones, cakes and delicacies, designed by Ben Chamberlain and his team, whilst sipping Russian and English teas. Grand Duchess Marie, daughter of Alexander II of Russia (played by actress Helen Reading), made a surprise appearance, amusing guests with tales of her mother-in-law Queen ‘Vicboria’ (sic) and the dreary nature of the court at Osborne in the late 1800s. Master of Ceremonies Paul Armfield introduced the author, Stephan Roman, who described his own grandparents’ exodus from Russia; a perilous journey
that was almost thwarted by the Russian guards. Stephan then spoke about the Isle of Wight’s role in AngloRussian relations – in particular how refugees and dissidents from Tsarist Russia gathered in Ventnor during the summer months from 1860 onwards to plot against the ruling classes in their homeland. Ironically the Romanov royals were often visiting their relatives at Osborne just 14 miles away! A silent auction of Island-made goodies – including a framed photograph of Queen Victoria with Nicholas II given by the K1 Britannia shop in Cowes – raised £1,000, which was split between Mountbatten and Dementia UK Admiral Nurses IW.
‘Isle and Empires’ is £20 from Medina Bookshop, High Street, Cowes and medinapublishing.com September and October 2021
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