THREE years ago Spectator commented on the stranglehold Morrisons exerted on the supermarket shopping habits of Darlington when it purchased the former North Eastern Co-op store in Neasham Road.

Now it has sold the store on, not to another supermarket operator but the discount clothing chain Matalan.

In the three years Morrisons owned the store, its third in the town, nothing was spent to improve its appearance or stock and customers have gradually deserted it. One can't help but think that Morrisons bought it just to keep out of Darlington another supermarket operator. With the sale to Matalan, the company may consider the matter mission accomplished. Meanwhile the supermarket shoppers of Darlington are denied the benefit of further competition a Tesco or Sainsbury's store would bring.

Golden weekend

At the start of this year all the clever London-based media were chuntering on about how the golden jubilee was going to be a massive let-down. In the era of Cool Britannia, we were told, the people would have no stomach for nostalgic celebrations of the Queen's 50 years on the throne.

Flicking through the pages of this week's paper, readers will discover that is certainly not true in this part of the world. The number and range of jubilee events is phenomenal.

The pride in our monarch is hearteningly evident and Spectator hopes for a golden weekend.

No folding stuff

Speaking of Royalty, it is said that they never carry cash. The rest of us have to suffer the daily indignity of dealing with grubby notes and coins which other folk have handled.

Unless you're a bank manager it seems. One senior bank official of Spectator's acquaintance recently offered to discuss over a modest meal a new service his bank was offering .

Lunch was taken but when it came to paying the bill at the cash-only establishment the bank manager had only credit cards and no folding stuff. Spectator smiled weakly and coughed up.