With the summer comes Pilgrims Vintage Tea and Fair

Once again, Tower House at Westgate Gardens, Canterbury will be transformed into a venue for the annual Pilgrims Hospices Vintage Tea and Fair on Saturday 21 July between 12pm – 4pm.

After the roaring success of last year’s event, Pilgrims would like supporters and friends to join them again for a cream tea with homemade cakes, luxury vintage craft stalls and more. The much-loved traditional tea party raises valuable funds, which provide care for people within the community who are terminally ill and need Pilgrims support.


Last year the event raised almost £5,500, helping to provide nursing care, equipment and care within the community and in peoples’ homes. Your support again at this year’s event will help the Pilgrims Hospices charity to continue this good work.

Leila Ilkhan, Community Fundraising Manager at Pilgrims Hospice Canterbury, said: “Last year saw 100’s of visitors enjoying our traditional vintage summer fair. This year, our staff and volunteers will dress in 30s 40s and 50s styles and we welcome any visitors to do the same if they wish.

We have many new attractions, including jazz singers and musicians, dancers, funfair games, face painting and a wonderful new children’s story corner to name a few.

Leila Ilkhan, Community Fundraising Manager at Pilgrims Hospice Canterbury

“We have many new attractions, including jazz singers and musicians, dancers, funfair games, face painting and a wonderful new children’s story corner to name a few. Our regular array of traditional jams and chutneys, plant stall and luxury craft stalls, along with some fabulous raffle prizes, will also be there.

“We are really excited to be welcome Stuart Weller, a close-up magician, to our special day. Stuart will entertain, enthrall and baffle our visitors with his tricks.”

Stuart said: “I support the Pilgrims Hospices charity because of the free care they offer to people who suffer illnesses that limit their life, along with the support they give to their families as well. Such a great charity.”

Headline sponsors Regal Estates has kindly supported Pilgrims by sponsoring the event. This means that every £1 from donations, raffle tickets and purchases on the day will go directly to Pilgrims care. Rob Brady, Sales and Lettings Director for Regal Estates, said: “We have supported this fantastic event now for three years running, alongside other Pilgrims events. Our continued support for Pilgrims means a lot to many staff members. We would encourage anyone to pop down, have a cream tea and maybe try winning something on a stall. We also have the main raffle tickets available for sale at our office.”

Our continued support for Pilgrims means a lot to many staff members.

Rob Brady, Sales and Lettings Director, Regal Estates

Pilgrims retail charity shops team of staff and volunteers will also have a grand selection of beautiful outfits, hats and costume jewellery, plus much more for visitors to purchase on the day.

Leila added, “I’m very fortunate to have such a lovely group of volunteers who help me to prepare the refreshments and stalls for the event. There will be plenty to entertain everyone. I’m really looking forward to the event; thank you to everyone who has volunteered to help make the event so special.”

You can find more information about events at pilgrimshospices.org/events.

If you’d like to make a donation for the event or find out more about Vintage Tea and Fair, email leila.ilkhan@pilgrimshospices.org or call 01227 812 621


Each year Pilgrims supports hundreds of local people coping with a life-limiting illness and their families. The charity offers a range of services: from the end of life care given on its wards to its Wellbeing and Social Programme supporting people after they are diagnosed to live well and stay independent.