THE TYPICALLY BRITISH RED TELEPHONE BOX...

The red telephone box is a symbol of Britain, however with the modern world now using mobiles most of the time, it is fast disappearing from our streets.

Did you know that they can also be found (working) in Malta and Gozo. Also, Australia and New Zealand once had similar telephone boxes and some have been preserved as historic sites.

Some people have them in their back garden, including the Hollywood actor Michael Madsen (Reservoir Dogs).

They also say that there is a phone box in the Lancashire village of Dunsop Bridge which is supposed to be situated in the very centre of the British Isles.

Kingston upon Hull is the only place in the UK that does not have the red telephone boxes but cream ones instead. It is apparently because it was the only area of the UK not under the Post Office monopoly so the boxes were under the control of Hull's city council.

 

THE RETURN OF DOWNTON ABBEY...

I can't wait for return of one of my favourite programmes, the British period drama series 'Downton Abbey',written and created by actor and writer Julian Fellowes, and based around the early 1900's and filmed in the Stately home of the Earl and Countess of Grantham.

You cannot help but think of how life was around that time where 'the table' was an important setting, the focus of much of the social life of that period.

Guests were invited to teatime where important rituals helped to reinforce a family's wealth and social standing.

Dinner parties were held to show off their daughters with all the social skills and foibles of the time.

Teatime, sometimes immediately followed on from dinner (now lunch-time). Some of the breads you could choose from were wholemeal bread, cheese bread, soda bread and crumpets. Then there were lots of different types of scones followed by unusually named cakes like, Surly Curd Tart, which included one teaspoon of Epsom salts in its recipe!!! Cherry cake was very fashionable at this time as well as 'boiled' Fruit cake and of course a large choice of home made jams.

You can follow them on twitter http://twitter.com/#!/DowntonAbbey or online http://www.itv.com/dramapremieres/downtonabbey/

FAMOUS BRITISH HAPPENINGS IN AUGUST...

Did you know that on the...

1st August 1774,(230 years ago)the English scientist Joseph Priestley discovered 'dephlogisticated air' (later known as oxygen).

4th August 1914, (90 years ago) Britain declared war on Germany and World War 1 began.

3rd August 1924,(80 years ago) Joseph Conrad, the Ukrainian-born English novelist died.

5th August 1729,(275 years ago) Thomas Newcomen, the English engineer and inventor of he atmospheric steam engine died.

5th August 1984,(20 years ago) Richard Burton, the welsh actor died.

9th August 1979,(25 years ago)Britain's first nudist beach opened in Brighton.

8th August 1974,(30 years ago) Richard Nixon resigned as the US president after being threatened with impeachment for his part in the Watergate Scandal.

AFTERNOON TEA WEEK

Throughout August to celebrate National Afternoon Tea Week you can get 25% off some afternoon teas in London and the UK.

Just click onto www.afternoontea.co.uk and click on the link for your 25% offer plus a gift voucher.

BUCKINGHAM PALACE AND AFTERNOON TEA...

The renowned and iconic British landmark that is Buckingham Palace is only open to visitors for a short time in the summer.

Enjoy exploring the opulent hallways and furnished interiors of this Royal Residence. See the state rooms and finish with an Afternoon Tea at either the Thistle Westminster or Grosvenor Victoria, both renowned four star hotels. For a limited time you can also see Kate Middletons wedding dress, tiara, shoes and cake.

The offer was from www.buyagift.co.uk has been reduced from £115 -£95 for an afternoon tea and tour of this superb building.

AFTERNOON TEA CATWALK...

With biscuits and fancies copied straight from the catwalk, and tea served in fine Paul Smith bone china, 'Pret a Portea' at The Berkeley Hotel in London is the place for post shopping refreshments.

It is designed to add a creative twist to the classic elements of the traditional English afternoon tea. You can find it in the Hotel's Caramel Room between 1pm-6pm.

The hew Spring/Summer 2011 collection sees Victoria Beckham, Miu Miu and Tom Ford make their début on the Berkeley's tea stand.

www.the-berkeley.co.uk

AFTERNOON TEA FOR PRINCE HARRY AND PIPPA MIDDLETON...

The Troubadour Bar in Chelsea has been serving afternoon tea to Prince Harry and Pippa Middleton.

According to the news the famous pub in Chelsea, sells tea for £3.50 and £2.75 for a muffin with jam.

BARACK OBAMA AND HIS 'SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP' WITH THE UK....

How lovely it was to hear on the BBC News that US President Barack Obama has hailed his country's "special relationship" with the UK in a speech delivered at a state banquet at Buckingham Palace.

He thanked the UK for its solidarity since 9/11 and in tackling the security threats that followed.

He also paid tribute to the UK's military forces for "standing shoulder to shoulder with the US for decades".

The banquet was hosted by the Queen and attended by royalty, politicians and film stars.

THE FIRST BRITON TO GO TO SPACE...

15 years ago on May 18th 1991, Helen Sharman became the first Briton to go into space.