I HEAR that the City of Preston is debating should they in the future have a Mayor?

I must admit that up to this moment, it's not something I've given a great deal of thought to.

But thinking about it I must say that I do like a bit of pomp and ceremony.

I adore military tattoos, love our royalty, like St George's Day, and want traditions to continue. Why? Because they give rhythm to our lives, a continuity linking generation to generation.

If we don't have these ceremonies and rituals life would be dull and if everything is available all the time to everyone, where is the excitement, the novelty, but what's more important, where is the spur?

We need people in our lives that are different, interesting, even a bit odd.

This is obvious by all the shows on TV like Big Brother and magazines such as Hello and OK etc.

Life in the main for most people is hard work and mundane.

A bit of glamour, even if it is in others, is a welcome diversion, gives us something to talk, or grumble about.

We say things like 'Oh yes, Dorothy, I agree she's wearing a lovely dress but a little on the young side for her don't you think?' Of course, when I say we I don't mean ME, I mean you -- I don't ever say that sort of thing!

Anyway, I agree with my mum .'If there's one thing worse than mutton dressed as lamb, it's mutton dressed as mutton.'

ALL this blooming fuss about Harry going to a fancy dress party -- wait for it -- yes, in fancy dress!

To older people the war, Hitler, Auschwitz (I've been there) are much remembered horrors, but to the young, going as Rommel is on a par with Nelson or Napoleon.

Sixty years is forever to the young, it's history.

I recall when in Bangkok waiting to visit the Bridge on the River Kwai for the BBC programme, our 'fixer' (he's the bloke that arranges everything) said: "I've got a lovely car for you, Margo." "Oh good what sort?" "A Japanese."

Before he could go any further I said: "I don't think so, I can't go to that bridge in a Japanese car."

But he didn't understand why, and he was 40.

So is a boy of 20 thinking about war and all its implications? I think not. Maybe vicars and tarts would have been a better choice -- sorry Dean.

MELLOR Methodists group gave me a warm welcome when I spoke there last Wednesday.

It's a funny thing, but when you say Methodist you are apt to think stuffy, well I can assure you that Barbara and her friends were lovely. I enjoyed myself very much, only hope they did.

And finally...

I GOT a call the other day from a gentleman who said: "Do you remember me?" He told me his name and then went on "When we were about eight you were the first girl I kissed." "Oh," I said "and are you hoping I'll be the last!"

It's one of those strange differences. Men always want to be the first love, whereas we women would prefer to be the last love.