It was the greatest tea-party since the Mad Hatter's in Alice's Adventures Wonderland. The Queen invited 2000 children into her garden to celebrate her 80th birthday. Red Coated guards in busbies welcomed the guests playing "They are changing the guards at Buckingham Palace." Chimney Sweeps danced on the palace roof top. The heroes and baddies of British Children's literature starred in the 75 minute pantomime which rounded-off the party. Perhaps Cruella De Vil from from 101 Dalmatians stole the show with her threat to make the Queen's Corgis into scarves "I'll take care of the little darlings" (wonderful boos and hisses). Peter Pan and Robin Hood joined forces to cross swords and trade insults with Captain Hook. All in all, even more exciting than England V Ecuador in the World Cup Football match.

Earlier, JK Rowling read from her latest Harry Potter book in the "author's corner". Michael Bond told a Paddington Bear story, and children mingled with characters from the pages of books. Many met the real-life Queen as she wondered around.

We would like to take this opportunity to wish Her Majesty a very happy birthday from Bertie and Storynory.