During the covid pandemic, there seems to have been a bit of a revival in ordering Afternoon tea and cakes from local suppliers. There’s a lot of businesses offering quality cakes and sandwiches in goodie boxes. So what better than having a Blantyre tea set to accompany them?

This fine collection belongs to my history colleague and friend, Gordon Cook. Setting aside the interesting poster about Gilmours of Blantyre for now, this nice collection is a present from Blantyre, stamped with the crest of Blantyre. It was mass produced in England and Gordon’s interesting and varied collection has grown over the years.

Many of these sets will undoubtably have ended up abroad. Gifts for expats and despite manufacturing origins, a little reminder of “home”.