Another Diamond Jubilee very soon?

The UK news is dominated this weekend by the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations, which, to judge by the TV coverage of today's [sponsor's name I refuse to mention] Epsom Derby, is in danger of being subsumed beneath crass and unsubtle advertising. Queen Victoria would not have been amused.

That being the case, I think it's time I banged the drum for my 'home' writers' group, Verulam Writers' Circle, which is approaching its own 60th anniversary very soon.

Despite today's tacky, un-British showing, we Brits have many reasons to remain proud of the United Kingdom. I consider myself fortunate to have been born an Englishman, so I am a lucky man indeed to be a member of Verulam Writers' Circle too.

In case you're wondering what I'm so enthusiastic about, please have a little taster from the latest edition of the excellent Verulam Writers' Circle newsletter, Veracity.

Here's wishing friends in the UK and worldwide a relaxing and memorable weekend. Do watch the river pageant, the concert and the parades if you are able to, wherever you may be. If you can attend the live events - well, lucky you. They should be truly spectacular, and, I sincerely hope, less tainted by commercial bad taste than was the Epsom Derby.

Brought to Book by FOSSLs

QUESTION: What do you do if your local authority threatens to close your library?

1. Tut under your breath and dump the offending free newspaper into the recycling bin
2. Kick the cat
3. Shake your head and open another can of lager
4. Organise for all 16,000 books to be borrowed at once

 ANSWER: 4, if you are a member of the Friends of Stony Stratford Library (FOSSL), according to the UK Press Association,  and the Guardian.

I've no idea how this amazing stand-off will turn out, but you have to hand it to the FOSSLs for an original approach to combating the cost-cutting philistines.

How about we writers and readers get behind these people and give them the publicity they deserve?

Please retweet this via the button below. Or, better still – if you're on Twitter – please tweet your feelings to the hashtag #savelibraries, and/or #FOSSL and 'like' the Facebook page of Save Libraries.

Thank you in anticipation of your support.

Have a great weekend.