Coronation Cream Tea Challenge - 8 May 2023

25 May

*People queuing to receive their cream tea on Monday 8th May*

Words by Sue Gattuso - Chair, Swaffham Cultural Consortium

The weather was dubious, but a streak of blue in the sky created hope. The Marketplace was laid out with tables, chairs, bunting and balloons - pedestrian only! The scones were baked, and over 1000 bags were packed with utensils, jam and cream. Fingers and toes were crossed that the rain would stay away.

At Queen Victoria’s coronation in 1863 over 2000 local people attended a feast on Swaffham Marketplace, but that was a roast beef dinner, followed by plum pudding and a lot of ale. Would the 1089 people we needed to beat the world cream tea record really turn up to eat just a scone filled with jam and cream and drink a cup of tea?

And they did! When it opened at 13:00 on Coronation Monday, the queue already stretched down Lynn Street. And the people just kept coming. Number 1089 came and went within the target time and, in the end, over 1300 people participated.

Even the rain tried in vain to muscle in for a few seconds but then disappeared, defeated.

Many thanks to everyone who took part and helped in any way - to the scone bakers, the baggers, the set-uppers, the stewards, take-downers, the Town Crier... Even though people had to queue for over an hour at times, the atmosphere remained enthusiastic and positive. It was such a great day!

The event was organised by the Swaffham Cultural Consortium, funded by Historic England as part of the the High Street/Historic Action Zone and sponsored and aided by many local businesses and groups.

With huge thanks to the following sponsors and supporters:

Bidfood

Booker, King’s Lynn

Breckland Council

Heartwood CodE Primary and Nursery School

Heygates

Ian Clews

Iceland

Iceni Swaffham Hug

Impson Butchers

Jack Corder

Jo Clark