Coronation FestivalAugust is almost upon us which means BB’s birthday is just weeks away and the party planner of the century (aka me) is preparing to leap into action.

Following a trip to the Coronation Festival, a four day gala thrown by the Queen to celebrate royal warrant holders in the grounds of Buckingham Palace earlier this month, I am brimming with ideas (the Martini Royales, sipped while marvelling at the wares on offer, may possibly have helped).

Take this dining table decked out by Peppers Marquees (pictured) for example – oh to be a Queen! Shame it’s only a two year old’s birthday party and not BB’s wedding we’re organising, but no matter, it’s all stored in the memory bank.

We’ve hired a beach hut in Hove and all I need to do now is come up with a menu. I’m thinking ‘best of British seaside’ and am seeking inspiration while doing my best to keep walking past Pippa Middleton’s much derided Celebrate tome in WH Smith.

Any ideas/recipes gratefully accepted…