Peasmarsh Place lies three miles inland from Rye on the edge of Peasmarsh village, owned by generations of the Devonport family for nearly 90 years. The current 3rd Viscount was born and grew up in the house and in the early 80s decided to make his family seat a retirement home for others to enjoy, With his architectural knowledge, the original rooms were converted into 19 suites.
Prior to the Devonport family, Peasmarsh Place was owned by the Liddell family, and it is believed that it was here Charles Liddell’s niece, Alice, was told stories by Lewis Carroll, who then wrote Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. This connection inspired Viscount Devonport to create various features and themes around the house and grounds to keep the magic of Alice alive in this special place.
What better place to host a Mad Hatters tea party, particularly as it involved Rye Players who looked resplendent in their fabulous costumes as they gave us all very entertaining performances throughout the afternoon. The event was organised by company secretary Francesca Clent in aid of Rye, Winchelsea & District Memorial Hospital with live performances from Rye Players, children’s entertainment and treasure hunt, cakes and refreshments and of course….jam tarts.
Thankfully the weather was on our side, with glorious sunshine and not a cloud to be seen but hot work for all the cast inside their costumes. Despite the intense heat Rye Players immediately got into character and gave us all a very entertaining afternoon of fun and silliness, quite a change from their normal repertoire.
Alice was played by Elizabeth Carter-Isted, the very vocal Knave of Hearts by Barbara Astley-Morton and the glamorous Red and White Queens played by Jess Partridge and Venetia Sanders. BAJ Dover gave a very convincing performance as the Mad Hatter, Sandi Bain made a fantastic White Rabbit with Kenzo Drummond as the March Hare, Leo Robertson as Humpty Dumpty, Jackie Burren played the Frog, the Dormouse was played by Carol Macdonald and last but not least were Dum played by Carole Gasson and her partner in crime Dee played by Sue Davies.
As the afternoon gathered pace, the tea party got us all laughing and we were made to feel very much part of the proceedings. Residents and staff at Peasmarsh Place had a wonderful time as they watched from the sun terrace. Francesca Clent, Paula Riley and Rosy Clarke kept the refreshments flowing and cakes coming and the audience of mums, dads, grandparents and grandchildren enjoyed the performances and the opportunity to explore the stunning five-acre grounds complete with lake and a pair of trees planted in the letters A and W (Alice in Wonderland).
Pictured in the main photograph is Viscount Devonport (right) with James Bull. They both have close family attachments to Peasmarsh Place – James and his wife Sophie manage the farm and estate. James’s dad managed the farm before him and now works full time in the gardens at Peasmarsh Place and James’s mum, Deidre Bull, worked for many years on the farm and at Peasmarsh Place. A very special place with so many local connections and situated in a truly stunning location, adjacent to the church of St Peter and St Paul.
For those who managed to come along and support this event I’m sure they will be back for more next year. If you missed out this time be sure to keep an eye on www.ryehospital.org.uk for any future events including the Tom Hanks double bill outdoor studio cinema on 26 July. For more information about assisted living in Peasmarsh Place go to www.peasmarshplace.co.uk and for news of more thrilling performances from Rye Players go to www.ryeplayers.com
Image Credits: Nick Forman .
Thanks to all involved, Terence Devonport, the Bull family and the excellent thespians!