Tea Time

An entry to Sepia Saturday. "Using old images to prompt new reflections"

Who could resist a spread like this. Little Bobby Roe looks as though he is eating a fairy cake while eyeing up the table to see which plate he will attack next before the grown ups arrive.   The photo was taken in 1954, the buffet today would be very different with changing, and broader tastes, although sausage rolls and open sandwiches could still be on the table there would also probably be samosa and quiche, to mention two things not dreamed about at this post war date. Rationing after the war had just ended in 1954 with things gradually being taken off the list,  the year before in February 1953 sweets had come off the ration so I imagine Bobby was one happy boy. If you had wanted "lashings of tea" during rationing then you may have had to save up, the weekly allowance was 2 ounces (57g),  No such thing as tea bags.  Tea pots ruled.

Bobby was the mascot of the football team Preston North End from 1951-57 and the occasion on the postcard is a buffet held  following their defeat in the 1954 cup final against West Bromwich Albion (3-2).  Preston are a club with a long history as they were one of the founding members of the Football Association in 1888.   In that first season they were undefeated in both cup matches and league gaining the nickname "The Invincibles".  Today those halcyon days are behind them as they are way down in  League 1 but still have mascots and in 2007 the grandson of Bobby Roe, William (aged 9), in his role as mascot lead the team out onto the Deepdale pitch. He will never compete with the more than 170 games that his grandfather took the pitch.

Wondering about those paintings on the wall?  The buffet was set up in the Harris Museum and Art Gallery, perhaps feeding both the body and the soul.  Today there is also a painting of Preston's most famous player, Sir Tom Finney (who celebrated his 90th birthday this year) in the gallery although it has proved illusive on my last couple of visits, perhaps it has been loaned out.