entertainment

THE BEST CHILDREN’S AFTERNOON TEAS…

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Yes, there is a guide to the best Children’s Afternoon Teas. The guide is written by The London Mother and although we can’t enjoy these lovely places at the moment it doesn’t mean we could make up our own at home. Here are just a few from the guide to the best Children’s Afternoon Tea in London.

Little Ones Afternoon Tea | Lanesborough Hotel

The Lanesborough has created a yummy tea for children up to age 12 that starts with hot chocolate or fruit juice and includes honey roast ham, mint yoghurt and cucumber cheddar cheese and strawberry jam sandwiches.Sweet treats include American pancakes with Nutella, Smarties and marshmallows, and homemade plain and raisin scones with strawberry jam and clotted Devonshire cream.

Children’s Afternoon Tea at Dorset Square Hotel 

Kids get to decorate their own cupcake at the Children’s Afternoon Tea in The Potting Shed Restaurant. Flex their creative muscles with different icing and toppings on their cupcakes and tuck into a selection of finger sandwiches, cakes, fruit and ice cream.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Afternoon Tea at One Aldwych 

This Roald Dahl inspired tea is just as fantastical as you’d imagine his afternoon tea with children to be; think fizzy drinks, snozzberry jam and chocolate milkshake mixed by waterfall. Tuck into not-quite-as-it-seems salmon and beetroot macaron and cheddar scones with bacon toffee jam, luscious lemon floss and plates piled high with wondrous cakes, sweets, mousses and scones – all washed down with chocolate or lemon sherbet tea or swimming pool fizz.

Rock n Roll Afternoon Tea | The Gore

Afternoon tea isn’t all hearts and flowers, older kids will enjoy Rock ‘n’ Roll afternoon tea. The unique afternoon tea experience is inspired by artists like The Rolling Stones, Guns N’ Roses, Queen and David Bowie.

Lots more to look through on The London Mother site but plenty to inspire you here.

OVER TEN REASONS TO DRINK GREEN TEA…

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The question is are there any other foods or drink that have been reported to have as many health benefits as green tea?

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The Chinese have known about the medicinal benefits of green tea since ancient times. It is made using the leaves of the Chinese Camellia sinensis plant. The leaves are then applied to heat quickly after picking which minimizes oxidation. This is thought to give the green tea it’s many benefits.

1. Researchers have suggested that it can help slash the risk of developing cancer by shrinking tumours.

2. It has been known to stabilise your cholesterol levels.

3. It has shown significant reductions in deaths of cardiovascular disease.

4. It can boost your immune system and aid weight loss.

5. It has been effective in the treatment of Multiple Sclerosis.

6. It can reduce tooth decay.

7. A recent report has shown that it can also slow the onset of Alzheimers and Parkinsons Disease.

8. It can help fight infections and allergies to the body.

9. They also say it can slow the ageing.

10. The latest news on Green tea is that it can enhance the ability of our brains’ cognitive functions especially on the working memory, a Swiss scientists suggest.Researchers have recommended further study into how green tea can help with cognitive impairments such as dementia.

11. Green tea’s other benefits include reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes. This research was conducted at the University Hospital of Basel Switzerland and led by Professors Christoph Beglinger and Stefan.

12. Drinking green tea ‘may’ reduce the risk of age related functional disabilities like osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis.

13. They say that for people who consume 1 – 2 cups of green tea per day have a ten percent lower risk of becoming disabled.

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FASCINATING FACTS ABOUT GRANDMA’S APRON..

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The principal use of Grandma’s apron was to protect the dress underneath because she only had a few.

It was also because it was easier to wash aprons than dresses and aprons used less material. But along with that, it served as a potholder for removing hot pans from the oven.

It was wonderful for drying children’s tears, and on occasion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears.

When company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids.

And when the weather was cold Grandma wrapped it around her arms.

Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, bent over the hot wood stove.

Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron.

From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables. After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls.

In the Autumn, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees.

When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds.

When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, to tell us it was time to come in for dinner.

It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that ‘old-time apron’ that served so many purposes.

Grandma would also set her hot baked apple pies on the window sill to cool. Her granddaughters now set theirs on the window sill to thaw.

They would go crazy now trying to figure out how many germs were on that apron.

 

THE VERY BRITISH FISH AND CHIPS…

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Did you know that according to Wikepedia fish and chips first appeared in the 1860’s and by 1910 there were more than 25,000 fish and chip shops across the UK, and by the 1930’s there were over 35,000. The National Federation of Fish Friers say that there are now 8,500 fish and chip shops across the UK.

Historic UK site says that the potato is though to have been brought into England from the New World of the 17th century by Sir Walter Raleigh although it is believed that it was the French who invented the fried potato chip.

In 1839 Charles Dickens referred to a ‘fried fish warehouse‘ in his novel, ‘Oliver Twist‘. The first fish and chip shop is believed to have been in Mossely, Lancashire in the North of England. It was sold from a wooden hut in the market and then later transferred to a permanent shop which had an inscription on its window which said ‘ this is the first fish and chip shop in the world’.

Towards the latter part of the 19th century and well into the next century, the fish and chip trade expanded satisfying the needs of the growing industrial population of the UK. Then the steam trawler brought fish from all over the North Atlantic, Iceland and Greenland and the steam railways meant the fish was distributed easily around the country.

Apparently in 1931 fish and chips became so essential in the British diet that one shop in Bradford had to employ a doorman to control the queue at busy times. Even the Territorial Army enjoyed it with special catering tents erected at training camps in order to give them fish and chips before battle.

The National Federation of Fish Friers said that in 1999, the British consumed nearly 300 million servings of fish and chips which equates to six servings to every man, woman and child in the country. The British Fish and Chips is by far the nation’s favourite take-away.

HOUSEKEEPING BOOKS THROUGH THE CENTURIES…

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Before 1800, housekeeping books tended to be handwritten collections of recipes and instructions tried and tested by the household cook. By the 1850’s they were developed into books for ‘adult women’, in particular for your brides who were setting up home.

They were intended as work manuals, they were without lavish photography or even set in fine bindings but if you can get hold of one from a book shops they will amaze you. They tell us about the lives of the women in the past from where you can see social change and the disappearance of domestic servants.

Mrs Breton’s Book of Household Management, which was published in 1861 was a huge success and sold 60,000 copes in its first year and two million by 1868. Of course with no television at that time these books were inspirational.

By the time Helen Simpson wrote ‘The Happy Housewife‘ in 1934 modern appliances were starting to pop up everywhere, not only helping with the housework but also removing the servants of that time.

In ‘Keeping House’ with Elizabeth Craig (Collins 1936) she said ‘ I have no use for elaborately decorated or furnished homes or for elaborate meals. The simpler the home, the simpler the housekeeping.

Some of these vintage home books can now fetch a lot of money at auction. A book published in 1687 ‘The Accomplished Ladies Rich Closit of Rarities’, by John Shirley sold at Sothebys for £1,625. So, if your great aunt or grandma are still alive and have some old cookery books make sure they don’t end up at the tip.

Even the National Trust ‘Manual of Housekeeping of 2006’ sold 10,000 copies in 2006.

The Good Housekeeping Institute have written a book The Art of Good Housekeeping in 2010 which is packed with tried and tested answers to every household query, from how often you should clean your duvet, to how to maintain the exterior of your house.

THE VINTAGE TEA PARTY…

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The Vintage Tea Party is a baking cookbook, but much more than just your average baking book by  Angel Strawbridge (Author).

Its a trip down memory lane, it’s a discovery fo the five things in life and it’s a book that will just as happily look good sitting on your coffee table.

It will definitely look good propped up in your kitchen being used again and again.

A talented book by a talented woman.

Product Description –
Vintage Patisserie is a vintage hosting company offering bespoke tea parties from a bygone era, delivering everything from music, makeovers and – of course – a customised menu of tea party treats that elevate any function into a swanky soiree. The Vintage Tea Party Book embraces the style and class of the trendy London Vintage scene and illustrates how to beautifully recreate the tasty treats and classic styles at home. With a unique mixture of recipes and feature spreads with accessible tips on hairstyling, makeup methods and where to collect vintage china — The Vintage Tea Party Book has it all.

“The Vintage Tea Party helps you plan not only stunning recipes for all sorts of delicious treats but also gives you countless styling tips for the perfect occasion.” – Glamour Magazine (SA)

GIFT IDEAS FOR CLASSY WOMEN…

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If you are thinking of ideas for the women in your life this year, you might have a few different things on your mind. Classy women need classy gifts, and there are a huge wealth of things you can buy for the elegant lady in your life this year. If you are stuck for birthday or Christmas ideas, here are some essential ones for you to try.

WINE TASTING EXPERIENCE…

One of the best things you could buy for a woman is a wine tasting experience. Most women love wine, and going for a tour of a vineyard followed by an afternoon tasting different wines is like heaven. You can make a day of it and go for good beforehand to soak up the alcohol and you can have a relaxing afternoon trying lots of wonderful drinks together. It can be a really fun experience and you will learn a lot about different wines too.

CHAMPAGNE HAMPER…

If you are looking for a gift idea for your Nanna or your aunt this year, there is one really great idea which you can put together yourself for maximum impact and class. Buy yourself a basket and some crepe paper, and then you can buy a bottle of Odd bins range of vintage champagne. alongside some chocolate, a cheese selection and some cheese knives. It can be a wonderful classy gift and one which looks impressive when you hand it over to them on the day.

AFTERNOON TEA AND A MUSICAL…

A great idea for a day out with your Mum, sister or your partner would be to take her to an afternoon tea in the city and then follow this up with a musical of her choice. It can be a great way to catch up and spend some quality time together while enjoying some lovely food and drink. You can make a holiday of it and stay in a hotel afterwards so that you don’t have to worry about getting home after!

JEWELLERY…

The easiest thing you can possibly buy for a woman is jewellery. There is always jewellery to suit any woman, and you can find lots of amazing styles online and in stores which will suit the woman you are buying for this year. You could buy a pedant for them to put on a chain, a pair of earrings to wear on special occasions or even a ring if you are buying something special for your partner. It can be a fun thing to buy because the choices are endless so you can really have some fun.

FLOWER SHOW…

An ideal gift for your Mum or your Nanna this year would be a trip to a local flower show. There are many flower shows which take place during the summer and they can be vast and expansive with what they have on display. You can book the tickets and enjoy a day trying gin, cheeses, beers and ice cream and you walk around and view some stunning flower displays as well as art and crafts. You can even buy some plants while you are there so make sure you have some room in the car!

NATIONAL PICNIC WEEK 15th-24th JUNE 2018…

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It’s National Picnic Week this week 15th-24th June.

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National Picnic Week aims to encourage people to take the ideal opportunity to get together over a picnic with advice, tips, recipes, and information to make sure everything from the food and drink to the location and surroundings are spot on.

​Picnicking is one of the UK’s most enjoyable summer traditions and is a great way of taking advantage of any open spaces in your local area over the warmer months of the year.

Since National Picnic Week was founded a decade ago, it has grown significantly and become a staple date in the media calendar. Timed at the peak of the picnicking season, broadcasters, radio and television channels are keen to get involved.


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With the likes of ITV’s Lorraine, national newspapers and both BBC and commercial radio stations covering the week in the past, it is a great platform to promote your brand.

Here are their top ten facts about picnics to get you inspired:
  1. The average person picnics at least three times a year, that’s 94 million picnics per year.
  2.  According to research done in 2013 the average family spends £26 per picnic, totaling a cool £2,479,720,000.
  3. Originally a picnic was a fashionable social event to which each guest contributed some food.
  4. The French started the modern fashion for picnics when they opened their royal parks to the public after the revolution of 1789.
  5. The use of the phrase “no picnic” to describe something difficult dates back to 1884.
  6. The most popular picnic snack fifty years ago was the humble cheese sandwich. Now, it’s a bag of crisps.
  7. The most popular day for picnics in the US is the 4th of July. In Italy it’s Easter Monday. In France, it’s Bastille Day. In the UK, it’s (weather dependent) rapidly becoming National Picnic Week.
  8. Fortnum & Mason, the London department store, claims to have invented the Scotch egg in 1738. They still sell them today.
  9. Picnic food is as popular as if it’s ever been, in 2012, an average of ten grams of meat pies and sausage rolls were consumed per person per week.