THE FIRST TEA SHOP TO HIT THE UK...

The Country's first tea shop was opened in 1864 by the Manageress of the Aerated Bread Company.

The company directors allowed the manageress to serve refreshments to favoured customers.

Then, demand for her service grew, which then sparked a new trend for similar shops across the UK. Within two years the Aerated Bread Company had opened 250 of it's self service tea shops.

These also helped to liberate the lives of women, as it was considered 'perfectly proper' and acceptable for a woman to meet her friends in a tea shop without needing a escort and without risk to her reputation.

J. Lyons & Co opened their first Lyons tea shop in 1894 at 213 Piccadilly. It was the forerunner of some 250 white and gold fronted tea shops which occupied prominent positions in many of London's high streets.

WIMBLEDON'S FORTNIGHT, BRITAIN'S BIKE WEEK AND THE HIGHLAND GAMES...

Some reasons to get active this month, The Highland Games, which are a must-see, and take place from May to September countrywide. There are all sorts of games to choose from with the popular Braemar show, which attracts 10,000 spectators watching games such as caber tossing, hammer throwing and a highland fling.

For more details look on the website www.shga.co.uk

Or you could join in Britain's Bike Week which has events ranging from beginners trails through the Cotwolds to endurance charity races. There will also be pop-up bike clinics offering free safety checks. This is running between 18th to the 26th June and you can find more details on the website www.bikeweek.org.uk

On the other hand if like me you love Wimbledon fortnight but have not been able to get tickets (advance tickets have sold out) then don't miss out completely. Search over 20,000 courts and tennis clubs at www.lta.org.uk

THE CLOSING OF A TEA SHOP...

It was sad to read in www.yorkshirepost.co.uk that after 92 years of service, a cake shop, called 'Sterchi's' in Filey, North Yorkshire is about to close.

It's heyday, it said, was in the 1930's when afternoon tea and light supper were an every day part of British life.

The shop opened in 1924/25 but now with big shops eating up all the little shops, it just came down to basic book balancing, that made them decide it was time to close the doors.

The owners Mr Philip Cammish and Mrs Sue Cammish, were very sad to have to close the shop. They have been overwhelmed with letters and phone calls bemoaning the closure.