Robur, Bushell’s, TyneeTips, are all names that evoke an era when tea was made with leaves and not bags. Making the tea was quite a ritual, and for special occasions (if there were visitors!) the best china was put out. We were lucky enough to receive a donation recently of two English china tea settings: cups, saucers and plates. The pattern on them is “Old Willow”, a pattern which originated in China and was very popular, especially in England, throughout the nineteenth and into the twentieth century. Make sure you look out for them on your next visit to the Blacksmith’s Cottage.
