Perry is a social historian and the author of Please Pass the Scones: A Social History of English Afternoon Tea. This event offers attendees the opportunity to learn about the origins and lengthy history of afternoon tea from Perry while enjoying a full afternoon tea.
Please Pass the Scones: A Social History of English Afternoon Tea provides readers with a comprehensive history of tea and how it became the quintessential English cultural staple it is today. Perry chronicles the complex origins of tea, filled with stories of scandal and smuggling.
In this book, tea is not just a delicious beverage enjoyed by many but an aromatic vehicle for learning about history and culture. Perry answers readers’ most pressing questions about how to brew the perfect pot of tea, the proper way to enjoy scones, the many variations of how to properly set a table for afternoon tea, and proper tea etiquette. The book is filled with vibrant illustrations that bring Perry’s enchanting anecdotes to life.
For 26 years, Perry was the co-founder and executive director of the Anne Frank Trust in the UK. After retiring, she considered becoming a cruise ship lecturer, giving lectures on what she knew about Anne Frank and more. When asked what else she could lecture on, Perry decided to explore the history and culture of afternoon tea.
“When I went to research afternoon tea, there was loads to learn about it. From the earliest days, 5,000 years ago, how tea was first discovered, coming to Western Europe and then coming across to the colonies, and then how in the 19th century the Duchess of Bedford began the tradition of afternoon tea,” said Perry.
Perry explained that the Duchess of Bedford summoned her servant in the afternoon between lunch and dinner and said she would like some treats with her tea. She was brought little bits of pie, biscuits, bread and butter. Afternoon tea became a habit, and she invited friends over to enjoy afternoon refreshments together.
Perry’s lectures about afternoon tea’s history, traditions, and etiquette became widely popular. She gave her lectures on cruise ships, at historical societies, for private tea parties and more.
After seeing how many people enjoyed her lectures, Perry decided to write Please Pass the Scones. She began writing during lockdown in 2020; the book was published in 2022.
Perry shared that the book follows a chronological and thematic approach to storytelling. While she details the history of afternoon tea, she also answers questions about etiquette, such as how to make the optimum cup of tea, what height the perfect filled scone should be, and whether jam or cream should be served first.
To purchase Please Pass the Scones: A Social History of English Afternoon Tea, visit gillianwalnesperry.com
To plan a virtual lecture accompanied by a tea party, contact Perry through her website, gillianwalnesperry.com
