Fashion show for High Tea fundraiser

A high tea fundraiser will have a unique feature to its entertainment offering that will have many heading down memory lane.

The Daltons Daisies is hosting its High Tea fundraiser for the Pohlen Hospital Trust next month and has included a wedding dress fashion show.

Many members of the Dalton’s Daisies have donated their wedding dresses and some wedding dresses belonging to their mothers, friends or relatives. Some of the garments pre-date World War II.

‘‘We needed an impact of some kind. There are nine of us (Daltons Daisies) so I asked the members how many had their wedding dresses, and there were quite a few.

‘‘So I thought let’s do a display and let’s go back as far as we can and find some that are really old,’’ says Daltons Daisies member Shirley Frew.

‘‘I just wanted to give them (the audience) something to think about, something to enjoy.’’

The earliest dress, which will be display-only due to its fragile state, was made and worn in 1920, with the next earliest from 1944 and upwards from there to 1982, which will all be modelled.

The High Tea event is in its third year and also includes the launch of the iconic Matamata 2017 calendar featuring scenic images from around the area, including Wairere Falls and images from the CBD.

Calendars can be purchased at the event, from I-Site and Pohlen Foundation office at Pohlen Hospital (post September 17).

All funds from the event will go to the Pohlen Foundation Trust, to support the building of the new wing at the hospital.

The High Tea has been well attended in previous years, selling all 100 available tickets and Daltons Daisies member Elaine Young says she expects tickets will sell out again. Last year the event and calendars made $8500.

All the food and tea will be made, supplied and served by the hard working group members of Daltons Daisies.

‘‘We have been told it’s the best high tea around, lovely food and in a very elegant setting,’’ says Young.

The High Tea takes place in the Matamata Bible Church cafe on September 17 from 2.30pm. Tickets are $25 and are available from the office at Pohlen Hospital from August 24.

‘‘The church has been very good to us, it’s a really good facility.’’