ACRES of newsprint and hours of television time have been devoted to the death and funeral of the Queen Mother.

Obviously much-loved, her passing seems to have strengthened rather than undermined the future of the Royal Family in this country.

With two royal deaths in one year, thoughts must now turn to the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth. It was only a few weeks ago that doomy forecasts were made of the weekend being a flop, an excuse for a day or two off work, probably spent in the pub or at the seaside.

Instead we cautioned that those were early days. A wet and dismal February hardly encourages enthusiasm about holding an open-air street party. A few weeks later and a national upsurge of solidarity with the monarchy has transformed matters. All around the district folk are beginning to get round to making plans.

In Skipton, traditionally the bastion of Craven apathy, the bunting has been ordered and plans to decorate the town are well advanced.

It seems clear the Golden Jubilee will be a tremendous success.