Not the Saltaire Festival

Current events have us all in a spin! This last weekend was meant to be the start of the annual, week-long Saltaire Festival. The death of HM The Queen and the consequent period of national mourning have caused many events organisers to postpone whatever they were planning, and the Saltaire Festival is one of the events impacted. I have read arguments from some people that it should have gone ahead; that the tradition of the Queen herself was always to remain steadfast and keep to her schedule, fulfil her promises as much as she could; that the many small businesses involved will be left with losses at a time when they already have so many pressures. Let's face it, there is also a certain element within the country that thinks the hereditary monarchy is surplus to requirements anyway, and is resenting the extensive coverage given to this story. However, I think most people feel it would probably seem wrong and somewhat disrespectful to continue with joyful celebrations at a time when most of us feel a bit sombre and reflective. We are mostly very conscious that we have been plunged into a hugely historic and significant time, a time that we should somehow strive as a nation to 'do well' because it will all be recorded in the archives for the future. 

Having said all that, it was rather a pity that Saturday was not the start of the Festival. It was a glorious day, warm and pleasant and there seemed more than the usual number of people out and about quietly enjoying the village and the park. The cricket match went ahead, the café was open, there was an art show, there was the open-air farmer's market and a horticultural show ... It felt all very British, somehow!