ANOTHER wave of hysteria, so the media would have us think -- our sacred Royal Family is to hold another birthday party. So let the forelock touching, the servile flattering, the Fawsley fawning, the curtsy competition for who can bow lowest before their betters, begin.

All this for an unelected, unaccountable, overspending family, an example to us all?

Broken marriages, an unworthy King Edward, the Princess Margaret's fondness for the 'good life', the Duchess of York's separation, the Duke of Edinburgh's sarcastic remarks about foreigners -- he should know better being one himself. Prince Charles bedecked with a chestful of medals cavorting around the countryside with Camilla. Are medals now being given for adultery? The Queen repeating the same opening of this and that, her same old cliches "my people overseas" whoever they are.

But the doyen of them all, the Queen Mother. The adviser to many charities, especially those that begin at home. One hundred years old and, I think very hard, but cannot bring to mind any outstanding achievement she has contributed to making Britain a better country.

We point out counties where dictators hand down their power to their offspring -- called nepotism. They can't compete with our royals on that score.

Some people say -- I would not like the Queen's job, no privacy, living in a goldfish bowl etc. I'm afraid you will never see her job advertised. If it ever was, no Catholics need apply. Henry VIII concocted that rule several centuries ago.

Anyway, Queen Mother, live another 100 years if possible, for on your demise the county will shut down for six months, while we see who can mourn the loudest.

So Happy Birthday Queen Mum.

John S L Evans

Howard Avenue

Deane,

Bolton