The black and white lines of the authentic Tudor replica home and blue expanse of the Burrard Inlet served as scenic bookends for tea parties held on the back lawn of the Brock House in the mid-1970s.
The parties were part of the Brock House Society seniors activity centre that took up residence in the historic mansion in 1974, taking over after the last tenants, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, vacated. The gatherings were held, and attended, by women of mostly British heritage who likely felt cucumber sandwiches and societal graces were a comfort in a time marked by horrid fashion and an onslaught of crass behaviour that oozed from pop culture at the time.
“When I go back and I look at the history of the society, it was tea parties in the afternoon,” said Sophie Djordjevic, Brock House Society administrator, on a break in the makeshift pub at Saturday’s annual Summer Fair fundraiser. “I saw pictures of white gloves and hats, and they played croquet.”
Times change and so did the society. The focus of programs now range from the physical to the mental and include everything from hiking excursions, fitness classes and table tennis to lectures, book talks and writing groups.
Music also makes up a considerable part of the centre’s repertoire, indicated by the fair’s musical lineup underneath the chandeliers of the garden tent that started with leader Bob Copeman’s accomplished Brock House Big Band and ended with director Doug Rogerson’s talented Brock House Jazz Band.
Goods were also sold by the Brock House Woodworkers, who had beautifully-crafted bowls, tables and shelving up for grabs. Mittens, hats, gloves and an assortment of other expertly knit items were sold in the next tent over by the Monday Ladies Crafts group. Around the corner, there were more tents with members selling jewelry, porcelain and a wide range of knick-knacks in the white elephant tent as well as at the silent auction.
Inside the house, homemade baked goods were sold on tables covered in red and white gingham, and much of the art, some created by members, had disappeared by the fair’s 3 p.m. end. On the front lawn, a lush plant sale by gardeners was also well-attended.
It was a treasure-hunter’s dream as the prices were reminiscent of years ago (for instance, one gorgeous wooden bowl was $15 and a hat and mitten set went for $25), and the cooler weather and wildfire smoke-tinged air didn’t keep shoppers away. All proceeds went to the society.
Started in the 1980s, the Summer Fair has become one of its largest fundraisers. Proceeds go toward maintenance of the building (leased from the Vancouver Park Board), programming and helps keep the annual membership fee a reasonable $40.
Djordjevic noticed a shift in membership during the 10 years she’s worked for the society. She said “younger ones” between the ages of 55 and 65 are joining for the programming and for the companionship of a community. It’s the same reason some members, who have since moved to Vancouver Island, Ontario or even to care homes keep their membership current.
Djordjevic herself is considering joining when it’s time for her to retire, and she’s thankful that time isn’t during the society’s limited programing of the 1970s.
“Now, me, if I wasn’t continuing to work I would probably join the Brock House. But to play croquet and have tea parties? That would not be my thing,” she said, laughing. “I would do exercise here, I would do zumba… They even have line-dancing here and I would do that. I think it’s a great place.”
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