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With the easing of restrictions, Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans visits his local pub in Pendleton and, back in London, attends the State Opening of Parliament

London took on a different air with the passing of the Duke of Edinburgh. Some London clubs draped black banners outside their buildings, flags flew at half mast, as they did over Clitheroe Castle, and the lights went out on the iconic London Eye as a mark of respect. Like many millions of others, I watched the dignity of Her Majesty the Queen as she sat alone at the funeral. I trust she could feel the love of so many people who have also lost loved ones. As the Queen said after the atrocity of 9/11 in New York: “Grief is the price we pay for love.” How poignant those words are.

The sense of loss is visible when visiting the National Covid Memorial Wall opposite Parliament. Hearts containing the names of those who fell victim to the cruel virus stretch from one end of the wall to the other giving visibility to the size of the loss. When we hear of the colossal scale of the infection in India and many other countries the grief is felt throughout the world.

The vaccine rollout has been a huge success which has meant the re-opening of many local businesses and the hospitality industry. I wasted no time in supping my first pump-pulled beer at my local in Pendleton. The support from the public has been tremendous and, on the days when the sun refused to shine, the regulars still showed the bulldog spirit by braving the elements sipping their favourite tipple.

The inhabitants of my village had one other thing to celebrate this month with the resurfacing of the road through Pendleton. It was a long wait to say goodbye to all those potholes, but I do hope that the County Council will look again at the many roads in our area which are quite frankly dangerous and need urgent repairs.

I visited Westminster Abbey to witness the Speaker’s Chaplain, Patricia Hillas, being made a Canon of Westminster. I missed not being able to sing in the Abbey due to Covid regulations but the choir more than made up for it with their ethereal psalm renditions. The Dean of the Abbey, David Hoyle, conducted the ceremony and chatting to him afterwards I learnt that he has firm Lancashire roots having been born in Waterfoot, Rossendale. What a small world!

Doing a full circle, I end with the Queen as she visited Parliament for the State Opening. It’s always a grand occasion but this year dramatically scaled back. The Speaker, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, from Chorley, looked splendid in his official state robes. Her Majesty was accompanied by the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall. It’s wonderful to see the support from her family, but also from the millions of people throughout the world who have nothing but respect for her as she carries on with her public duties.

We are incredibly lucky to witness such selfless service, and as I look to the past, a bit of me also looks forward to next year. The Platinum Jubilee will be like no other! We will all have the opportunity to celebrate the life and service of our Queen after 70 years on the throne – God bless her.

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Tedd Walmsley

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Tedd Walmsley managing director of Live Magazines shares his views on the latest topics in media.

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