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Church TT Teas capture 'spirit' of race festival

Ashlea Tracey
BBC News, Isle of Man
Takeshi Yamashita A group of men and women in aprons gathered around a table with cakes and sandwiches on it.Takeshi Yamashita
Fiona Collier (centre of bottom row) said the team run on 'adrenaline and cake'

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 40-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".

Four bikers wearing black jackets and T-shirts sitting outside the grey church hall. Two men hold up mugs of tea.
Bike fans from across the world visit the Methodist Church in Union Mills to watch the action

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.

Four women, three wearing colourful aprons, standing together in a row in a church hall. You can see the chapel and a busy notice board in the background.
Three generations of the Gawne family have lent a hand at the Methodist church during race fortnight

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."

A close up of baps in cling film in brown baskets. They have bright signs explaining the flavours.
About 1,000 baps were sold during in the first week of the festival at St Andrews Church

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.

Sandie Newson wears a blue and green TT T-shirt and a silver necklace. She has glasses on her head. She stands by the entrance of a church hall.
Sandie Newson said the funds raised selling TT Teas meant St Andrew's Church could keep opening its doors

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.

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