Cuppa with hint of glamour set

What: High Tea with a Sparkle.

Where: Duart House, Havelock North.

When: Sunday, July 29, 3pm-5pm.

Tickets: $27 from the Art Deco Trust shop or Barb Speers, phone (06) 878 9848.

More info: www.artdeconapier.com

It's nearly time to don glad rags, gloves and fancy hats for a special afternoon at Duart House.

Linda Malone and Barb Speers, the organisers of High Tea with a Sparkle at the Havelock North historic landmark on July 29 are looking forward to not only mingling with fellow Art Deco buffs, but also to showing off a fabulous display of Art Deco jewellery.

Mrs Malone said Deco meant not just architecture, but beautiful textiles and jewellery as well. "I think of it as giving people a chance to bring some glamour into their lives."

Mrs Speers said sometimes people missed out on tickets to top events in Napier, or it was difficult to find the time to stay in the seaside city all day during Art Deco Weekend. It was nice to do something closer to home for Hastings and Havelock North folk. "This time with the jewellery, it will be a lot more than just dressing up and having fun -although we do love it anyway."

There were also plenty of beautiful old houses in Hastings and Havelock North like Duart, Mrs Speers added, which could be put to good use for Deco events at other times of the year besides February.

The High Tea, to which there are only 60 tickets, is being professionally catered, including vegetarian and gluten-free fare. There will also be entertainment from a singing trio.

Mrs Speers has been involved with organising Deco events in Hastings for eight years, beginning with an autumn picnic, and launching the High Tea at Duart House last year.

The event runs the week after DIY Deco 2012, from July 20-22, which includes a Friday Night Hop, Fabulous Flicks featuring silent stars such as Charlie Chaplin and a scavenger hunt.