HERE in Blackburn, we are most fortunate! ‘Oh and why is that’, I hear you ask.

Well, we not only have a cathedral fit for a Queen, but on Thursday we were honoured by a visit to that cathedral by our Queen.

There is no doubt about it, the town and the cathedral people rose to the occasion.

I was fortunate to have a seat for the ceremony.

I admit it was right at the very back, but I was able to see her Majesty, who was beautifully dressed and smiling as always.

She has a very difficult job.

It must be very hard work, always having to be pleasant, always well turned out and travelling to strange places where there are lots of unknown people to be nice to.

Oh! Good Heavens! I’m feeling tired just thinking of it.

But back to the day. Lancashire’s great and good were all there and I think we, as a town, rose to the occasion.

As I didn’t have an invite to the special do at the Rovers, I have to assume it went well’ and weren’t we lucky with the weather?

No macintoshes or umbrellas in sight.

The town’s back to everyday normality and the Easter Fair has arrived.

It used to be a highlight of my childhood and I remember getting off the bus on the Boulevard and hearing the hurdy gurdy music as we went round the White Bull corner.

I would be holding tight to my mother’s hand with 2/6 in small change in my special purse.

Years later, when I went on with my boyfriend, there was the excitement of the caterpillar, where a cover came over the seats during the ride and all was dark and a couple of kisses could be stolen.

Do we ever feel that sort of excitement again? Sadly, no, I don’t think that we ever do.

I am trying very hard to think what would generate it, I think maybe it would have to be a trip abroad or new shoes or handbag.

Now that’s a bit sad, isn’t it?