Let's wish the Duke of Edinburgh good health (From The Northern Echo)

Let's wish the Duke of Edinburgh good health

11:54am Thursday 29th December 2011 in Harry Mead By Harry Mead, Columnist

FEBRUARY brings the 60th anniversary of the Queen’s reign. Only Victoria has reigned longer, and probably few would bet against Elizabeth II passing Victoria’s record of 63 years and 205 days in 2015.

But the odds might shorten sharply should the Queen lose her husband.

The Duke of Edinburgh, it seems fair to say, does not enjoy quite such high public esteem as the Queen. But his contribution to the Queen’s success might be considerable.

Many a royal occasion is no doubt ghastly to endure. And a monarch is obliged to meet, and even make conversation with, many appalling people. To have someone close to whom one can unburden one’s thoughts and feelings must be a great relief.

For the Queen to have to embark on all her public duties alone could be a serious challenge to a woman of her age. We know little of the exact nature and quality of the Queen’s marriage. Nevertheless, she and the Duke have formed a strong pair at the head of the royal family. Monarchist, republican or indifferent, it would be a churlish person who does not wish for the Queen and her husband to continue to enjoy what is probably their mutual support – and possibly more.

Perhaps not so universally endorsed, however, is the royal family’s “traditional Boxing Day shoot”, highlighted by Prince Philip’s absence this year. Of course, shooting is legal, with many participants. Yet it goes against the tenor of the times, and a royal shooting party now looks a serious anachronism. How long can this particular Boxing Day tradition survive?

LAST week’s Page in History in Echo Memories, from December 21, 1961, carried stark news: “Stainmore line has month to live.” Memories, memories. Just 18 months earlier, my wife and I had travelled on the Stainmore line to our honeymoon in the Lake District.

The train was a diesel unit, but earlier we twice crossed the magnificent Stainmore pass in a steam-hauled train.

Throughout one of those journeys, on a glorious June day, a fellow passenger shot reels of cine film, sometimes leaning out to include the engine.

If that footage survives it will be priceless.

But where is it?

I QUOTE from a report following boxing’s recent light-welterweight world-title fight: “Amir Khan revealed yesterday that he agreed to a rematch with Lamont Peterson as they both received treatment in a Washington hospital after their controversial 12-round battle... Both men were beaten up.

Khan did not leave until 5am, after treatment for a damaged hand, while Peterson’s right eye was almost closed after what is likely to be deemed the ‘Fight of the Year’.”

Two men in hospital through a sport in which injury is the aim.

So, in wishing my readers a happy and peaceful New Year I add the hope that, if not in 2012, which would be hopelessly optimistic, then at some other point in the 21st Century we bid a glad goodbye to boxing.

What hope for peace among nations when we encourage individuals, women as well as men, to beat each other up?

A GOOD book. A smart pair of trousers. A surfeit of liquorice, a quirky personal favourite. Santa did me proud.

But best of all is a lanyard for my constantly- mislaid spectacles. I’m now wondering what to do with all the time I’ll save.