Isla Gladstone Conservatory

Crafting resumes tomorrow as today has been an experience extraordinaire. We had a very special afternoon when we attended a reception and tea dance in the Isla Gladstone Conservatory in Stanley Park. My sister in law, there on the steps, was invited in honour of her services to the community and we were lucky to be her guests.

The conservatory was completely derelict but has recently been beautifully and sensitively renovated into one of the architectural gems of our city parks.

 It is named after Isla, an artist of the Art Nouveau period,  who married into the family of Gladstone who was Prime Minister of England four times during the reign of Queen Victoria. 

It was so quaint to be able to enjoy
 a delicious afternoon tea of cakes, scones and sandwiches served by staff in period costume. We daintily spooned the most elegant dessert of rhubarb and custard from tiny glasses.

People in elegant Victorian dress circulated the grounds and talked to and danced with the guests inside the conservatory.

We really did dance waltzes and tango to a three piece band!!!
Amongst other gifts, I was thrilled and lucky to get a quality porcelain mug printed with a picture, by the artist Anthony Brown, of my favourite Beatle, Paul McCartney.







As the park is close to Liverpool Football team's ground, and where the team first played in Victorian days, the European Cup was on display.

Let's hope Everton gets blue ribbons on it one day!