Darina Allen: Afternoon Tea Week is an opportunity to catch up with friends — and try new recipes

Of course, one must have some tiny cucumber sandwiches and a gorgeous sponge oozing ripe summer berries and crème chantilly.

Guess what? We’re coming up to Afternoon Tea Week (August 10-16), a brilliant opportunity and super easy way to have a catch up with friends. August 12 is also prosecco day, so let’s offer a glass of fizz as well to add an extra bit of fun and sparkle to our ‘get-together’ afternoon tea. Not sure who dreams up all these official ‘weeks’ and ‘days’ but apparently it’s Lemon Meringue Pie Day on August 14, so I’ll include some gorgeous little lemon meringue tartlets.

Root out your best china; tea seems to taste much more delicious out of a delicate china cup. I love embroidered white linen tablecloths and napkins.