IT was the sharp-suited man, perched on top of the gleaming red telephone box, waving a Union flag, who got the crowd going.

As the cortege approached us, along famous old Fleet Street, the man suddenly started clapping enthusiastically, shouting ‘Well done Maggie!’ – urging others to join in.

Sure enough, applause started to ring out from all around me on the packed pavement, as I stretched to see the troops escorting the gun carriage, bearing the flag-draped coffin.

Behind me, another man shouted ‘God Bless You Maggie!’ There were no murmurs of dissent, let alone shouts.

I had pushed my way to the junction of Chancery Lane, where anti-Thatcher protesters were expected to turn their backs in disgust – but I saw none.

Across the road, a lone placard read ‘I am NOT happy to pay for Thatcher’s funeral’, but its carrier appeared to be in a minority of one.

The Northern Echo:

One newspaper had warned of a hijack by “die-hard fanatics” – but then again, as one wag joked, weren’t they the ones on the guest list?

Instead, I bumped into Durham-city born Sally Stott, who grew up in Robin Hood’s Bay, near Whitby, and moved to London about ten years ago.

Asked why she had turned up, Sally, aged 33, replied: “Because she is an iconic person – and there aren’t many people like that in our lifetime.”

Growing up, Sally said her parents had opposed Lady Thatcher, but she had only dim memories of “empty” pit villages, where thriving mines had once stood.

Moreover, it appeared even her mother’s anger had waned. Asked, recently, why she had disliked the former prime minister, mum had replied: “I never liked her voice.”

Incredibly, Sally had bumped into Lady Thatcher in a London park a few years ago, when they chatted for a few minutes about their pet dogs.

She remembered: “My dog ran up and jumped on her coat. I didn’t realise who it was until she took her dark glasses off.

“She said she used to have spaniels and we chatted about that. I found her quite impressive – one of the best people I’ve met.”

I also met Michael Hughes, who had travelled from Birmingham to pay his respects – clutching newspaper articles from the 1970s, when he first became a supporter.

The 58-year-old said: “It was her leadership that got the British economy back on its feet.

“Back in the ‘70s, I could see that Ted Heath was going wrong – he had lost elections – and Lady Thatcher was the only politician talking about the problem of inflation.

“I’ve travelled from Birmingham to say goodbye to her – although I might do some other things later, that may involve going to the pub!”

The Northern Echo:

MAKING A STAND: Protestors turn their backs as the cortege passes the Courts of Justice

Less adulatory – but still respectful – was Londoner Sarah Speller, 55, who said: “I’m here because this is part of history. There’s just an extraordinary mystique about her.

“Whether you are for or against her, you simply have to respect her. Personally, I think her intentions were good, although the practice went wrong sometimes.”

None were concerned about the estimated £10m bill for the funeral, Sally saying: “It’s not as if the money would have gone to the arts or something instead, is it?”

Many may believe David Cameron misjudged the national mood by sanctioning a lavish, ceremonial send-off – but not those standing next to me on Fleet Street yesterday.