By Nick King
**Platinum Jubilee**
While the 70th anniversary of her accession to the throne was in February, we are celebrating HM the Queen's Platinum Jubilee this weekend.
Hers has been an incredible life of service and dedication to her country, people and the Commonwealth. Creating an anniversary that simple life expectancy dictates none of us alive now is likely to see again.
I accept there are many reasons to question the role of a hereditary monarchy in this day and age, but when set against the alternatives I still feel strongly it is the best form of constitutional government.
The Queen has provided an incredible example of how to navigate through turbulent times, providing a constant and unifying presence through a period of unprecedented social, political and technological change.
So, I think it's entirely right that we celebrate her unique reign this weekend. Whether you are attending the celebrations in The Hundred today, in Awbridge, Wellow, Chilworth, West Dean, Lockerley and Abbotswood on Saturday, in Sherfield English and Michelmersh and Timsbury on Sunday or are attending one of the street parties planned in East Wellow and Nursling and Rownhams, I hope you have a super Jubilee weekend.
I'm signing off now to go and enjoy the festivities with the family. God save the Queen!
