What happens when the clock strikes 4?

…..when the clock strikes four

Everything stops for tea

So went the song in the 1930s comedy film “Come out of the Pantry”. The final verse enlightens us as to why Schubert failed to complete his 8th Symphony:

Now I know just why Franz Schubert

Didn’t finish his unfinished symphony

He might have written more but the clock struck four

And everything stops for tea

Well today is apparently National Tea Day, a ‘celebration of Britain’s national drink,’ and as it is also the Queen’s birthday it seemed appropriate to mark this special day at Church by stopping for a cup of tea, and also to read a prayer from the Book of Common Prayer, for the Queen.

Over the years we’ve built up a small but interesting collection of mugs at church, many of them gifts. The photo shows two of them. Of course we had to include the ‘More tea, Vicar?’ one.

If you are unsure of how to make a good cup of tea The Independent has an article to help you: click here.

And why not, as a tribute to tea, listen to Jack Buchanan singing ‘Everything Stops for Tea’ – on Youtube here.

And just in case you should think that the connection with tea and the clergy is confined to the Church of England, have a look at this painting. It’s by the Italian painter, Pietro Pavasi from the 19th Century.

It’s entitled The Clergy at Tea. 

But was it 4pm?