Three weeks after surging floodwaters covered Naples’ famous 5th Avenue, members of the British Car Club of Southwest Florida came to a social meeting at Brambles English Tea Room, parking their cars in the cleaned-up spots along this fashion-and-entertainment street.

The High Tea event was planned before the hurricane and became the first gathering after so much devastation occurred in the three counties that make up the territory of the BCCSWF.

But what is High Tea?

In the 1600s in Britain, the drinking of tea not only became a social event for the upper classes, it altered the time and manner in which they took tea. Afternoon Tea became the bridge between meals because many would not eat their evening meal until, maybe, 8 p.m. As such, Afternoon Tea became a “mini meal” in itself.

This was all well and good for the upper classes, but the working classes ran to a different schedule and a different budget. Tea was still quite expensive at the time and the working classes could not afford to waste it on anything other than necessities. Thus, in the industrial areas of the U.K. (northern England and southern Scotland), the working classes’ evening meal evolved into the English High Tea, which usually involved a mug of tea, bread, vegetables, cheese and occasionally meat. Variations on High Tea could include the addition of pies, potatoes and crackers.

So, while Afternoon Tea was largely a social event for their upper class counterparts, High Tea was a necessary meal in the 18th and 19th centuries. This traditional High Tea still exists for some parts of the north and Scotland.

A possible explanation why this type of meal was called High Tea is the fact that it was eaten at a table. In comparison, Afternoon Tea was taken whilst seating in low, comfortable chairs or sofas. Of course, soon after, the upper classes developed their own variation and also called it High Tea. It was a meal that could be eaten when their servants were away or not available, as it was so easy to prepare. The upper class High Tea involved the amalgamation of Afternoon Tea and the workers’ High Tea, with the addition of pigeon, veal, salmon and fruit.

It is important to add that the Afternoon Tea menu served in the U.K. today is often referred to as High Tea in many other parts of the world. Because of this some hotels, such as The Ritz in London, use the term “High Tea in London” to advertise their Afternoon Tea because a large proportion of their customers are from overseas.

All this introduction is needed, because while the BCCSWF called it the High Tea event, Brambles calls it Afternoon Tea. They served finger sandwiches (Brambles’ chicken salad, English egg salad, cucumber with dill and parsley cream cheese, and honey spiral ham) traditional English scones with golden raisins served with clotted cream and strawberry preserves assorted tea pastries and, of course, several pots of tea.

Due to the aftermath of the hurricane several BCCSWF members could not make it to the event. Still, 16 members and one guest filled two long tables in the Tea Room.

Our organizer of the event, Mark Shlien, had encouraged the participants to dress up for the occasion. A variety of hats were displayed. Our VP, Cecil Carter, exhibited a Jaguar E-type bow tie, while yours truly featured a Panama hat bought just 10 days earlier in Ecuador. Together with a black tie over a black shirt and some sunglasses, your President could have been mistaken for a member of the Mafia. Of course, it would not be Florida without somebody (not to be named) coming in shorts to the High (Society) Tea.

As advertised, the Board members present got together to select the person who responded most lavishly to the call for dressing up and rewarded her with a free Afternoon Tea. This honor fell on Jacqui Engel.

“High Tea” or “Afternoon Tea,” this was a great way to show that a hurricane can’t break the spirit of the BCCSWF.

The meeting was called to order at 6:30 by President Hermann Schaller.

Membership

As of November 8th, there were 93 paid membership accounts with 179 voting members.

Past events

October 19 — High Tea at Brambles Tea Room in Naples (see accompanying article).

Upcoming events (as of the meeting date)

November 20 — British Car Invasion, 9 to 11 a.m., Mercato Cars & Coffee, Mercato Shopping & Dining Complex, 9132 Strada Pl., Ste. 1110, Naples, Fla.

December 13 — Membership meeting. Dinner at 5:30 p.m., business part at 6:30.

December 3 — Naples Botanical Garden Tour, 4820 Bayshore Dr., Naples, 10 a.m.

December 17 — Christmas Holiday Party, 5:30 p.m., Hideaway Country Club, 5670 Tradewinds Dr., Fort Myers. Additional information by separate e-mails.

January 10, 2023 — Membership meeting. Dinner at 5:30 p.m., business part at 6:30.

January 15 — Car & Art Invitational International Classic, Exotic & Sports Car Show, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens, 5800 Riverside Dr., Punta Gorda, Fla.

January 27 — Everblades Hockey Game, 7 p.m., Estero Hertz Arena.

Other subjects

Possible meeting locations were discussed to manage larger participation. Beside a call for candidates for Vice President and Treasurer, the creation of the position “Member at Large” was announced, with Cecil Carter being the first to fill it starting January 2023.

For sale are a 1977 MGB for $3,000, contact Larry McCartt, a 1954 Lagonda DB 3 Litre Drophead Coupe, contact Hermann Schaller, and a 1995 Jaguar XJS V12 for $8,500, contact Bill Longley, (404) 307-2076.

Meeting adjourned at 7:43 p.m.

President Hermann Schaller called our October 12th meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. with 32 attendees. He noted that meeting was moved to Mission BBQ due to storm damage at previous location. Feedback on the location change was unanimously positive, and the club will explore a permanent change.

The news from members was that most did not experience significant British vehicle damage. The exception was Tom Berger’s 1964 Elva Courier, which was totaled.

Membership

Membership stands at 90 accounts. One new member joined at the meeting, bringing the total to 175 members.

The Treasurer’s Report was then presented.

Past events

Due to the “Ian the Terrible” hurricane, the club Breakfast Run was cancelled. The local Sun-Cap Motor Club Cruise Inn event was also cancelled.

Upcoming events (as of the meeting date)

October 19 — Afternoon Tea at Brambles Tea Room, Naples.

October 21-22 — All-British Car Show, Safety Harbor (non-BCCSWF event).

October 26 — BritToberfest, to be rescheduled.

November 8 — Monthly member meeting, Mission BBQ, Fort Myers.

November 11 — Veterans Day event being planned, details to follow.

November 12 — Naples Botanical Garden tour and lunch, Naples.

November 16 — “Welcome Back Snowbirds” Party, Lighthouse Bay at Brooks Clubhouse, Bonita Springs. The location may change.

November 20 — British Car Invasion at Mercato, Naples.

December 3 — Monthly member meeting.

December 17 — Holiday Party. We need a new location due to storm damage (Hilton Garden Inn at 12600 University Drive, Fort Myers, and the Fort Myers Crowne Plaza are previous venues).

January 10 — Monthly member meeting.

January 15 — Invitational International Classic, Exotic & Sports Car Show, Peace River Botanical Gardens, Punta Gorda.

January 27 — Everglades hockey game, Estero.

February 5 — Cars on 5th, Naples. Registration is now open.

Future event ideas

Car Club Cruise — Information for the Spring Cruise with the Rolls-Royce/Bentley club has been sent out to members.

U.K. tour — A vote was taken to gauge interest and a dozen members raised their hands. We will engage with a travel agent to plan for fall 2024 to coincide with the annual Goodwood Revival.

Other items

Calendars featuring club member vehicles are available for sale. The price is $20.

We noted club member vehicles that are for sale.

It was also noted that Hagerty’s disaster team was very responsive to our members.

The meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m.

On Saturday, September 10th, 18 members of the BCCSWF gathered at the home of Club Secretary Isabel Mack and her husband/in-house mechanic Kirk Pierce. President Hermann Schaller made a grand entrance in fins, mask, and snorkel, armed with a water gun.

Isabel prepared her Spanish mother’s recipe for Paella Mixta and everyone brought a dish to share. Summer in Florida often brings rain and the skies delivered a heavy downpour just as the paella was being assembled on the special grill. Despite “tipping down,” the rain failed to dampen our spirits!

We had a wonderful mix of new and established members, and it’s fun to learn who is a year-round resident of southwest Florida.

The September 13th meeting was called to order by President Hermann Schaller. A moment of silence noted the recent passing of Queen Elizabeth. It was mentioned that there are many photographs on Google of King Charles and his family driving British vehicles during public and personal moments throughout the years.

Reports

Membership — The BCCSWF has 89 memberships, comprising 171 individuals. This report was followed by a discussion about recruiting new members and pursuing lapsed members.

Treasurer — The balance in the club treasury was reported, along with pending items.

Recent past events

August 25 — Lunch at Bahama Breeze, a Caribbean restaurant in Fort Myers, Fla. Thirty members attended.

September 10 — Pool party and paella lunch at the Mack/Pierce residence. Eighteen members attended.

Upcoming club events

October 11 — Monthly member meeting.

October 19 — Brambles Tea Room, Naples.

October 26 — Brit-toberfest, Sanibel Causeway.

November 8 — Monthly member meeting.

November 12 — Naples Botanical Garden Tour and Lunch, Naples.

November 16 — “Welcome Back Snowbirds” Party, Lighthouse Bay at Brooks Clubhouse, Bonita Springs.

November 20 — British Car Invasion, Naples.

December 13 — Monthly member meeting.

December 17 — Holiday Party, Orr residence, Cape Coral.

January 10, 2023 — Monthly member meeting.

January 15 — Invitational International Classic, Exotic & Sports Car Show, Peace River Botanical Gardens, Punta Gorda.

January 27 — Everglades hockey game, Estero.

Other matters

A possible cruise and a U.K. tour were discussed, then the meeting adjourned.

October 11 — Membership meeting. Dinner 5:30 p.m., business part 6:30 p.m., Famous Dave’s BBQ Restaurant, 12148 S. Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers, Fla.

October 19 — High tea social, 2 p.m., Brambles Tea Room, 340 5th Ave. S. #102, Naples, Fla., (239) 262-7894. RSVP to Mark Shlien, BCCSWF@outlook.com or (202) 415-1599.

October 26 — “Brit-toberfest,” 10 a.m., Sanibel Causeway Islands Park, Island #2 (toll charge $6). BCCSWF club members’ picnic on the beach, with hot dogs, bratwurst, etc. RSVP to Tom Shaw, tomasshaw679@gmail.com or (201) 486-3506.