In his latest Reporter column, Stalybridge and Hyde MP Jonathan Reynolds pays tribute to the Queen and gives details of Platinum Jubilee celebrations in his constituency.

This week is of course all about Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, as the nation celebrates her incredible seven decades of public services as the longest serving monarch anywhere, ever. 

Whether you are a royalist or a republican, I hope you have a wonderful rest and a chance to catch up with family and friends. As ever, a big thank you to the key workers who keep going through the Bank Holidays, we appreciate you.

Her Royal Highness was thrown into the highest possible office on the death of her beloved father, and her incredible life of service covers our whole lifetimes, and her quiet leadership has steadied and buoyed up the UK through good times and bad.

When I mention the monarchy to constituents, opinions are unsurprisingly divided. However, I am always struck that even the most ardent critics of the institution tend to share a fondness and respect for The Queen, and rightly so. 

Public life is a huge privilege but it is also a daily challenge, and Her Majesty has executed her duties with grace, dedication and without complaint.

It was my great privilege to meet her a decade ago on her visit to Parliament for her Diamond Jubilee, and to convey the very best wishes of constituents. I love to hear other local people’s stories of meeting Her Majesty too, from those who shook her hand on the royal tour that went past Hyde Town Hall in 1968.

I’m especially proud that Mossley based cultural queens and kings Global Grooves will be heading to London to perform in the official pageant. Their incredible puppetry and creativity has been bringing carnivals and lantern parades near and far to live for years, but performing for the Queen is a whole new level. Best of luck to all the performers, and I hope their families have an incredible day.

There’s been some regal yarn-bombing in Mossley, with some cheeky looking corgis. In Broadbottom, the Scarecrow contest is back with a Queen theme, Mottram church will be screening the Coronation, and there are Jubilee canal cruises in Ashton. 

You can buy all the flags and bunting you need from My Wendy House in Stalybridge or Hyde Bargains. You can also join in queenly crafts at Krafty Kits, or a ticketed party in Magpie’s Nest, both in Stalybridge with Waves and Curls salon trialling Union Jack themed nail art - so there’s no excuse not to celebrate in style.

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