THIS last weekend the district was united in a happy event and one which even the youngest of participants will likely never witness again.

The Platinum Jubilee marking our Queen’s 70 years’ reign (which is still not finished) was enjoyed by thousands across Craven as villages and towns pulled out the stop to make it an occasion to remember.

Everywhere you turned there was a sea of red, white and blue which was echoed across the UK and the Commonwealth.

It is very hard to imaging that someone could be head of state, both at home and across the 54 countries of which Queen Elizabeth II is the lead figure, for so long and with such unwavering dedication. It is this which made the occasion very special, truly unique, even for those who regard themselves as ‘not royalists’.

Whether a royalist or not, most would have been caught up in the atmosphere created by a lot of hard work by groups of people who wanted their own village’s or town’s celebration to be memorable.

From messages seen on social media, it was ‘job done’ everywhere. Photographs have been taken, videos stored for posterity and many speeches made.

Soon the bunting will be packed away but for those who made the weekend what it was, well done.