WATCHING the news and various programmes on TV, I am constantly amazed and astounded at the strength, optimism and resilience of the human spirit.

Young soldiers, who have lost limbs, are tackling events and projects that many a full bodied man would think twice about and — what’s more — smiling into the bargain.

It really strikes home and makes you realise the pettiness of the everyday things we tend to think of as important.

It made me think that, perhaps, all this talk of the consumer society is right and we have let the urge to acquire things get a bit out of hand.

Maybe my mum was on the ball when she said ‘all you need is a bit of sun, a bit of work and a bit of fun’.

I’ve been having some joinery work done this week and the care and interest that both the joiner and his apprentice showed in their work, was an absolute pleasure to watch.

I hear that pubs are still closing at the rate of 25 a week. ‘So what?’ I can hear a few folk saying; ‘face up to it, Margo, it’s progress’ and perhaps it is.

But pub is such an emotive word, conjuring up feelings of warmth, friendliness, company, debate, argument, laughter, betting, loving and comfort.

Yes, pubs are all of these things and I am afraid that if we don’t do something, then that classless fabric that has held us all together will be lost.

I mean, let’s face it, where will all the serious debate go on?

How will all the country’s problems be solved? Not to mention, who’s going to run all the football clubs?

And, my goodness, if the local karaoke night goes, where else is our Nellie going to sing ‘I Will Survive’?

I sat as a judge for the over-50s talent competition at Thwaites Theatre and I can’t say, hand on heart, they were brilliant, but they were fun and very entertaining, and that’s what theatre is all about.