I HAVE been following the story of the cruise ship Costa Concordia and read with disbelief the shambles that happened after it ran aground.

It has been particularly interesting to me as several years ago I went on a cruise with its sister ship Costa Romantica.

I found it most disappointing, as it was just too big.

It actually has its own shopping mall, can you believe, so it was like sailing on a town centre.

My previous experience had been with small ships, whose complement was under 400, not 4,000, so they were much more friendly.

And on the very first day there had been thorough safety drills, so everyone knew where to go and what to do.

I can’t honestly say that cruises are for me the ideal holiday; the times in port are interesting, but days at sea I found boring.

I like to see new things and sitting looking out at miles and miles of ocean is not my idea of a good time.

So, it’s looking like our council is going to have to be dragged screaming and shouting into doing something special for the Queen’s jubilee.

What we need is something grand and imaginative to bring people into town — not just a few fireworks, but something memorable so that everyone can say ‘wow, now that was something, a day to remember’.

Let’s face it, it’s not like it’s going to happen again, is it?

The trouble with politicians is they tell you they can fool all of the people some of the time and some of the people all of the time – usually that’s enough!

On Thursday Loraine from The Mall and I drove down to Scampton, Lincolnshire, to spend a day with the Red Arrows team.

It was magic, we met the pilots, rooted round the hangars, had lunch with them, had photos taken with them, above – and learned what great ambassadors they are for the RAF and the country.

And yes, we had a great time and it was a day to remember.