Library hosts tea party for 'Downton' fans

GREENMOUNT -- Kat Henderson said whenever she finishes an episode of the British TV show "Downton Abbey," the first thing she does is pick up the phone to call her grandmother, Georgia Mills, to talk about what just happened in the lives of the fictitious Crawley family and their servants.

On Thursday, Henderson surprised her grandmother by taking her to a special Downton Abbey Tea at the North Carroll Branch Library. About 20 fellow Downton fans joined them, most in hats and other finery appropriate for the occasion.

Linens & Lace Tea Room of Hampstead provided the tea service with scones, sandwich wedges, desserts and other delectables. Attendees discussed their favorite characters over the treats and answered trivia questions about the show while they sipped their tea.

Linens & Lace Tea Room owner Karen Knoch shared facts about tea, which was invented by the Chinese and at one time cost more than any middle-class person could afford. She said the show's filming location, Highclere Castle, was also a setting in the movies "King Ralph," "The Secret Garden," "Eyes Wide Shut" and "Pride and Prejudice." Knoch also discussed how realistic the interactions were between the wealthy family and their servants.

"There is some sugarcoating," said Knoch, "but many things are accurate."

Peggy Stubbs said she loves the show, set in the early 1900s, because it gives an interesting insight into the lives of British lords and ladies. She likes the costumes as well. But she is most interested in what happens with the servant characters.

Betty Johnson said she hasn't started watching the show yet. She came to the tea with her friend because she enjoys the ceremony and she thinks she will like the program. She said she plans to soon start at the beginning of the PBS series that just wrapped up its fourth season.