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.

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.

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

BRITISH SUMMER WEATHER...

Summer June and July
They are saying that the summer is expected to start on a drier than average note, with that theme continuing at least in the south of the country into July.

Temperatures across the first two months of summer are expected to be close to, or just above average - so potentially a good deal of dry and warm weather to be seen.

Fingers crossed...

In Scotland, there is no such thing as bad weather - only the wrong clothes.
Billy Connelly