Billie’s Tea Party at Margate Bookie

East Kent Mencap and local artist Elspeth Penfold will host a special afternoon tea party on Monday September 30 as part of Margate Bookie 2024.

Join in at Wildes from 3pm for a tea party where guests can relax with friends, eat cake and have fun!

Reflecting on the power of words, Artist Elspeth says, ‘Poetry provides a shared language that can help us to understand ourselves - and others - better.’

During the afternoon Books Beyond Words will host a book club. The poets Maggie Harris and Margate DJ Bernadette Hawkes will also give poetry readings.

Jason Gerlack, CEO East Kent Mencap, said: ‘Making time to read opens up new experiences, introduces new worlds, challenges our thinking, and encourages us to think of new ideas and values. Everyone should have the same opportunity to make use of new learning or simply enjoy a good book.’

There will be chat with Julie Anderson, the Author of The Book Club Book and also sensory sculptures and poetry made with adults with a learning disability as part of Elspeth’s Weave and Read poetry group.

Sarah Wildgoose, Campaign Patron of 21 Together, a Kent based Down's syndrome support charity, said:, ‘Communication, written, spoken or otherwise, is the cornerstone to building relationships and we are delighted to join forces with Billie, East Kent Mencap, Wildes and the Margate Bookie to support this event which coincides with the start of our new Communication Groups in Margate.’