Dear Editor,

The world is made up of ordinary people yet we seldom see them on the big stage. But for once, for four days, we did. They came to say goodbye to an extraordinary lady: Her Majesty The Queen.

They came in their thousands. They waited  for ten, twelve, fifteen hours or more. Every colour and creed. The elderly, the infirm, people hobbling, people in wheelchairs, the blind with their guide dogs, the fathers with their  sons, the mothers with their  daughters, little children and babies in arms. They came in their silence, they came in their sadness. They bowed, they curtsied, they saluted, and some blew Her Majesty a kiss. 

Just for a moment the ordinary people had the Queen to themselves. It was  remarkable. It was amazing . . . it was beautiful!

David Harrap, Jasper