THE Queen's 1953 Coronation was a landmark for this country in more ways than one. It was the year television for the masses came into its own.

It was every family's dream to own a set in time for the big event, and sales rocketed.

I was three at the time our first goggle box, the size of an average fridge with a 12 inch screen, appeared.

For most families the crowning ceremony was the biggest event since the end of the war, and those not lucky enough to get their own piled into neighbours' homes to look in.

It was a time of great joy when community spirit was alive. The same can be said for the silver jubilee when streets buzzed with big parties.

A quarter of a century later life seems so different. Apart from the dwindling respect for royalty, many people hardly know their neighbours, they never speak to each other never mind get together.

A great example of the loss of neighbourliness came to light this month when an Astley couple celebrated their diamond wedding and 60 years in the same house.

They told of the spirit and friendliness of the street when they first moved in. Now all the older people have passed on and younger families with busy lives have taken over and they never see them to speak to.

A sad indictment on today's selfish me me me society.