THE Jubilee partying is over, but we shouldn't forget it. For today it is clear that countless people still have huge affection for Her Majesty and for the Monarchy.

The smiles on the faces of the millions who turned out in London to enjoy the music, the informal fun and later the pageantry said it all.

In fact, the doom-mongers who forecast that the Queen's big event would fizzle out like a damp squib should now be eating their words.

Swindon, as with most towns in Britain, has always enjoyed a celebration, whatever the excuse.

Although there were fewer street parties than there were for the Queen's Silver Jubilee 25 years ago, the enthusiasm and the sense of togetherness shown by the party-goers in Queen's Park, Ermin Street, Highworth and other local neighbourhoods showed that the Queen still has the popularity she enjoyed then.

It is now up to the next generation of Royals to keep her standard flying.

If they fail they will not only be letting her down. They will also weaken the good things and the admirable traditions she has established during half a century on the throne and which countless ordinary people evidently still value.