What a wonderful week of celebrations we have seen across Fylde to mark Her Majesty the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. With flags flying high and streets bursting with bunting our towns and villages have truly demonstrated the pride and their gratitude.
There were some fantastic events across the long bank holiday weekend, from family fun in Ashton Gardens to an outstanding outdoor concert at Lytham Hall. I was pleased to be able to attend several, including the lighting of the Jubilee beacon at Fairhaven Lake, part of a network around Fylde and across the country to celebrate Her Majesty’s 70 year reign.
I know the big, public events were just the cherry on the cake, with people and business across Fylde hosting their own unique celebrations, whether that be barbecues, street parties or beer festivals, like the one held at the Ship in Elswick. Given the events of the past two years it was fantastic to hear of so much going on and to see so many happy faces in the pictures which have been shared across social media and in our local press.
The same is true for St Annes Carnival and Warton Club Day, which were both back with a bang over the weekend. After cancelled events in 2020 and muted celebrations last year, it is brilliant to see these event thriving once again with packed parades and all the fun of the fair. The big summer season is well and truly under way and I look forward to many more successful events, starting with Kirkham Club Day and the Elswick Rose Queen Parade this weekend. Of course none of these things happen without the hard work and dedication of local volunteers and every one of those involved deserves our heartfelt thanks.
In Westminster the Prime Minister has faced down a confidence vote, triggered following the submission of letters to the 1922 Committee. I know there are those who are angry and frustrated over what has happened in Downing Street and it is important that the culture there and elsewhere in Whitehall is changed for the better. The Prime Minister continues to have my support to deliver on the priorities of people in Fylde. That now means pressing on to tackle the rising cost of living, to delivering on the need for long-term energy and food security and, crucially, on the promise to level up villages, towns and cities across the country.
It is on these important issues the Prime Minister and the Government should now focus.