WE understand the financial constraints of Swindon Council.

And we can even sympathise with it for feeling it has to charge for diversions made necessary by Golden Jubilee celebrations.

But £855 to put up and remove some signs appears way above the odds especially when Portsmouth City Council is able to fund more than 70 parties in their entirety for £10,000.

The message that appears to be being put out by Swindon Council, rightly or wrongly, is this: "Go ahead and organise a community event but don't expect us to be flexible in any way."

The problem is that Swindon is perceived from the outside as a wealthy place that lacks community spirit.

We as Swindonians know that that is nonsense but we also need a council which wants to embrace events that promote our social well-being and help us shed that image.

The Jubilee weekend shouldn't just be a celebration of the Queen's reign.

It should also be an excuse for us to step back from the pressures of the 21st century and celebrate our Englishness with friends and neighbours.

We all have a part to play, and that includes officials in suits at the council.