While much of Britain stoically commemorated the Queen's coronation in waterlogged Union Jack raincoats and we're-having-a-jolly-good-time-honest smiles, partygoers at Herefordshire's hottest Jubilee Night bash at least had the benefit of large, mostly dry marquee in which to toast Her Maj - as well as some suitably all-weather vehicles for the drenched drive home. The cars came courtesy of Land Rover - a rare British institution that pre-dates even Queen Liz; the party itself, as well as indirectly celebrating our dependably obdurate monarch and consistently inconsistent weather, honoured yet another long-serving British tradition: twenty-five-year-old literary gathering the Hay Festival.
A host of writerly luminaries braved the elements to enjoy the Land Rover, Soho House and GQ-presented festivities at Sunday night's Hay birthday bash. MyDaily spotted Salman Rushdie and Ian McEwan (both of whom had given sold out talks to bedraggled but enthusiastic punters earlier in the day) along with philosopher AC Grayling and media types Mariella Frostrup and Monty Don. We even witnessed a few famously bookish figures cutting an unlikely rug on the dance floor.
Plenty of less well known literary lights were also seen hobnobbing in the grounds of festival chair Revel Guest's Cabalva House home, including Kirstin Zhang, winner of the City Stories short story competition. The Scottish novelist travelled down from her hometown of Kilmalcolm as part of her prize, which also included the publication of her work in next month's GQ. The third, most daunting element of Ms. Zhang's award was also in evidence on Sunday night: some serious shop-talk in between courses with formidable literary agent Diane Banks, who has signed up to represent the newcomer for her in-the-works debut book. Take a peek at out our gallery below for more highlights of the Cabalva House bash and then click here for more Hay Festival coverage.