Church 'TT Teas' captures 'spirit' of the Isle of Man race festival
The tradition of churches opening up their doors to offer drinks and snacks during the Isle of Man TT represents "the spirit" of the event, organisers have said.The institution of "TT Teas" sees churches around the island open up their halls and gardens for spectators to enjoy tea, cake and pies during the races. Fiona Collier, from the Union Mills Methodist Church, which has been offering the service for about 70 years, said visitors have told her the kindness on show was "what the TT stands for". She said the the 16-strong team wanted bikers to have "the best time ever and go home with a full a nice full belly, and warm and fuzzy feeling about our island".
Preparation for the festival began eight weeks ahead of practice week to ensure items on the menu would be ready in time.That included the peeling of 66lb (30kg) of potatoes and 20lb (9kg) of carrots for the pies, and the making of 24lb (11kg) of crumble.The spread on offer, which includes sandwiches, scones and a range of baked goods, "has all been made with love" which was "the secret ingredient I think", Ms Collier said.Generations of families volunteer to help year after year, and stay on site at the church, which offers a vantage point at the third mile of the course, for long hours if racing is delayed.
Ms Collier said the team often runs on "cakes, adrenaline and lack of sleep" but "we love it, wouldn't miss it"."Providing for our TT visitors is part of our community as a church," she said."We're going to keep going as long as people keep coming."
Just along the road from the event's start line on Glencrutchery Road in Douglas, volunteers at St Andrew's United Reform Church have been serving their TT Teas for about 25 years.Sandie Newson from the team said their outdoor space was often "packed" with fans, with long queues forming for a cup of tea and a corned beef sandwich."In the first week or so, we've sold about 1,000 baps," she said.
Ms Newson said: "Visitors say wonderful things to us like 'we love the Isle of Man, it's the best place to come ever'.""And they keep coming back from as far away as Germany, Switzerland, Florida, Denmark, you name it we have them in."She said the fortnight was "very special" because it was the "only fundraising we do all year", which "keeps the church going"."It is an enormous effort over the fortnight with so many hands at the pump [but] we're great TT lovers, we love the atmosphere and we love having everyone here, it's such a buzz," she added.
Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
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