A VERY Bolton century old tradition is set to be revived this year as people are invited to take afternoon tea on the lawn.

Rivington Heritage Trust is bringing back afternoon tea at Rivington Terraced Gardens, an event Lord and Lady Leverhulme would stage annually for their friends.

Lord Leverhulme would invite his private guests to enjoy the grand views and take tea by the summerhouse.

During the summers of 1919-1924, Lord Lever would hold annual open days. On these occasions, members of the public could purchase a ticket to enjoy live music and entertainment, with proceeds being donated to local charities.

The picturesque Orchestra Lawn was used for the first time since renovation in Summer 2019 for Tea on the Lawn, when 120 people were served afternoon tea while listening to a harpist.

Richard Galloway, a director of Rivington Heritage Trust, said: “Our annual summer celebration of taking Tea on the Lawn - much as Lord and Lady Leverhulme liked to do to entertain their guests a 100 years ago, will run again as soon as restrictions allow.

"We’re planning for late summer.”

Among the guests who will be enjoying the event will be Judy Robinson, who was picked out of a draw to win 'Tea on the Lawn' tickets for herself and partner, John Laird.

Judy was entered into the prize drawn as part of Rivington Terraced Garden’s ‘Squarea’ campaign, where she now sponsors a piece of the beautiful gardens.

Read more: Mark Radcliffe and his childhood memories at Rivington as he backs fundraising campaign

The prize-winning opportunity was offered to all sponsors of the fundraising campaign in the run up to Valentine’s Day. Owing to the success of the recent push, Rivington Heritage Trust is extending the chance to win more tickets until Mother’s Day, for all those helping to raise the £100,000 annual maintenance costs needed to keep The Gardens in their beautiful condition.

Judy Robinson

Judy Robinson

Judy says: “I sponsored the Japanese Water Gardens as I Iove the area. I was brought up in Bolton and from a very early age I often visited Rivington with my family. I now live in Stockport but still head over there a lot.”

Members of the public can sponsor a 10sq m virtual patch of land called a ‘Squarea’ in The Japanese Garden, The Italian Lake, The Dell, The Woodlands or The Lawns for just £20. Owners of each dedicated certificate also have their name added to an online roll call and can choose to support the area that is the setting for their treasured memories.

To sponsor a Squarea and be entered into the Mother’s Day prize draw, visit https://www.rivingtonterracedgardens.org.uk/get-involved/squarea/