LUKE MARSDEN: we could all do with a right royal knees-up

I stopped myself from asking this of my 81-year-old neighbour as she told me about the giant flag she intends to put up this weekend to celebrate the platinum jubilee.

I stopped myself because the answer is obviously, “no.”

I actually congratulated another neighbour who has erected a large union flag and balloons ready for the big national celebrations.

The last time I displayed a union flag I was branded a fascist on Twitter. That’s the level of national debate over the last few years in the online Wild West.

This weekend provides a renewed opportunity to reclaim the flag for what it truly stands for: unity.After what we have been through as a nation over the last two years we deserve some much needed respite this weekend.

As I overheard two Wiganers say this week: “we need a good laugh and a good drink” and I truly couldn’t agree more.

Even if you’re not a massive royalist, and I’ll admit I’m almost indifferent to the needs for a Royal Family, I appreciate just how historic the jubilee is.

It is highly likely we won’t see another one, so if marking the occasion involves face paints, cupcakes, bunting and boozing then I think HRH would approve!

Wigan has lots of events on across the town and, thankfully, given the current national backdrop, most are free.

Even if you don’t fancy waving a flag to Queen Elizabeth it’s a good excuse to get outside (hopefully the weather will actually resemble June!) for fresh air and a catch-up with friends.

So when you’re hanging up the flags and putting out the union flag napkins and you pause to ask yourself, is this too patriotic?

The answer will be "no” unless, of course, you’re one of those people who have tattoos of The Queen’s dead corgis on your arm, then the answer is very much, “yes!”