“Little London”

Colorado Springs was known as “Little London” in the early days. Much of the money raised to build General Palmers railroads and the city of Colorado Springs came from English investors. In turn Colorado Springs residents became quite “British”, carrying umbrellas, celebrating English holidays, playing cricket and enjoying afternoon tea. At one time there were over 2000 immigrants from Great Britain living in Colorado Springs. With them they brought their famous English fashions, meals, cookbooks and raised their children with English nannies. The Colorado Springs Police Department called their policemen “bobbies”. This all added to the “Little London” atmosphere. ~S.Conn

To wrap up their studies on our beautiful state, Colorado. Gilli’s teacher arranged for the children to experience a real tea. The children all dressed in their ‘Sunday best’ and were paired up boy-to-girl. Each young boy took the hand of his partner and carefully guided her to her spot at the table. Then the boys were taught how to pull the chair out for their lovely ladies and seated them. The conversations all had to be low and very polite.

Each child was served tea with lumps of sugar and a spot of cream. They were served by the other mom’s there and could not eat until everyone had been served. (Whoa..love that this is being reinforced!!). Napkins in lap, I was blessed to be the mom at Gillian’s table to experience this with her.

By the end of the tea, it was very obvious that these lil Brit’s were on a sugar high. The boys had a tough time waiting for their partner to finish their tea, scones and fruit, but they did it.