Platinum Jubilee Family Tea Party Celebrates 70-Year Reign

By Elphina Jones, GIS

The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Family Afternoon Tea Party at the Gallery was a patriotic occasion on Saturday, 21 May 2022.

Held on the grounds of the National Gallery of the Cayman Islands (NGCI), the festive community event was hosted by the Gallery in partnership with the Ministry of Youth, Sports, Culture & Heritage (MYSCH), Cayman National Cultural Foundation (CNCF) and the Youth Services Unit (YSU).

Welcoming remarks were made by NGCI Management Board Deputy Chairperson Mrs. Jennifer Dilbert. They were followed by addresses from MYSCH Minister, Hon. Bernie Bush and His Excellency the Governor, Mr. Martyn Roper.

In true tea party fashion, the afternoon offered buffet-style refreshments - including a wide assortment of sandwiches, mini patties, cookies and beverages - as well as a showing of hats and fascinators by ladies in attendance. Steel pan-player Michael Lemay entertained visitors with a medley of songs, showcasing his talents with a range from well-known Caribbean tunes to classical music.

The eight finalists of the YSU’s all-island high school poetry competition were announced at the tea party. Having recited their Majesty-themed prose, the winners - Kylah Murphy, Cayman International School (1st - $500); Aiden Miller, Clifton Hunter High School (2nd - $400) and Danielle Player, Cayman Prep and High School (3rd - 300) - received their prizes from His Excellency The Governor, Mr. Martyn Roper; Premier, Hon. G. Wayne Panton and Deputy Premier, Hon. Christopher Saunders.

The Cayman Islands Folk Singers’ lively set included Limestone Schoolhouse, Song of the Yam and Munzie Boat. In addition, visitors took tours of the Gallery’s The People’s Collection and Salt Water in their Veins exhibits as well as viewing artwork from NGCI’s National Art Collection. The Gallery’s family-friendly art activities and giant outdoor maze were particularly popular with younger visitors.

As well as Union Jack bunting, the Gallery hung up bunting designed by local students. The artwork was inspired by a lesson pack designed and supplied by NGCI’s Education team on the national symbols and encouraged students to explore Cayman’s relationship to the UK and why jubilees are celebrated here.

To see the Flickr album of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Family Tea Party at the Gallery, visit: https://bit.ly/3a0Ekle