Janine BrĂ©mault Bamford, a passionate history buff of Britain’s Regency period, is all set to turn heads at the St. Albert Botanic Park.
Costumed in the Regency period’s attire, she will host a Regency Garden Promenade and Tea at the park on Sunday, July 19.
It is open to all who wish to dress up and be transported back to Jane Austen’s England for a few hours.
The St. Albert resident, in partnership with Tara Rout, operate Regency Encounters, a company that hosts events such as balls and teas that stay true to the period.
“We want to help people interested in getting together socially and there’s also escapism mixed in,” said BrĂ©mault Bamford.
“St. Albert has such wonderful gardens and green spaces and it’s meaningful for me to try and bring people here.”
The Regency period cultivated under George IV produced a beautiful, elegant esthetic seldom surpassed. Ladies were attired in high empire-waisted dresses, dainty flat shoes, bonnets and parasols. Men wore coattails, ruffled shirts and breeches.
Brémault Bamford explains that the French Revolution was in large part responsible for the shift from the ostentatious to a simpler outerwear.
“It was dangerous to be part of the upper class and they made a move to a more middle ground.”
She first heard of Regency Encounters when Rout put on a ball in Sept. 2014 at the Hotel MacDonald that included a dinner and period dance lessons prior to the event. Brémault Bamford later attended a candlelit Regency Christmas Tea with readings from literature and was hooked.
After partnering with Rout, the duo has hosted a ball in Calgary’s Palliser Hotel and several other teas.
“What I really enjoy is how happy people are when they’re dressed elegantly and want to have fun. It’s a pleasure to build a sense of camaraderie. Although we are strangers when we meet, as we come together we learn something new together. It’s the same reason people go to square dances.”
For the upcoming tea participants are encouraged to dress in Regency costumes.
Registration takes place at 12:30 p.m. in the registration tent at Legion Memorial Clubhouse, a stone’s throw from the park. The promenade begins at 1 p.m.
Tea and refreshments are served at 2:30 p.m. Refreshments consist of a lovely cup of tea with scones, clotted cream and jam. The promenade is free. Refreshments are $15. Lemonade and cookies for $3 are available for the wee ones.
Alternatively, guests may take their tea “to-go” and enjoy it al fresco. Bring a picnic blanket.
