4 May 2011

All hail the tea ladies of Invermoriston

The unsung heroes at Maggie’s Monster Bike and Hike are without doubt the tea ladies of Invermoriston. Maggie’s just wouldn’t be the same without these purveyors of home baked cakes.

Ever since the event started in 2004 Cherry Duncan, Jean Curley and Betty Draper have organised a supreme display of baking at the bronze finish in the Invermoriston Village Hall. They lead a dedicated team of some 20 volunteers in the area, producing over 800 pieces of cake, together with sandwiches and soup (made by the gentlemen).

Weary participants arrive at Invermoriston to browse trestle tables crammed with a dazzling array of home made morsels. There is everything from cheesecake, carrot cakes, lemon drizzle and chocolate brownies, to muffins, pancakes and moist fruitcakes. “Every lady has their own secret recipe,” Cherry commented. “My specialty is mocha cake with a creamy centre and lashings of cranberry sauce.” It must look like a sticky oasis after 40 long miles of cycling and walking.

Of course there is sound medical reasoning for all this cake on an adventure challenge like Maggie’s. The participant have to keep their blood sugar levels up to keep going and help stave off dehydration. But the truth is that the cakes at Invermorriston are a big draw in themselves. “People admit that they sign up for the baking,” Cherry said.

Cherry, Jean and Betty lay on this incredible spread of highland hospitality to support Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centers.  “We went along to the opening of the Maggie’s Centre in Inverness four years ago,” Cherry said. “We are now supporting the campaign to build a new centre in Aberdeen.”

“A huge thanks to the tea ladies of Invermoriston for bringing a touch of sweetness to the challenge,” says WildFox Director David Fox-Pitt. “Long may you bake at Maggie’s Bike and Hike.”