A tale of what might have been…

A mere fifty-two years ago as the crow flies, Dana’s masterwork, “All Kinds Of Everything” triumphed in the 1970 Eurovision Song Contest. Aficionados will recall the UK entry that year as being the Mary Hopkin ditty, “Knock, Knock, Who’s There?”, which came a paltry second.
 
It is nothing short of a tragedy that the song submitted by April Music as the UK entry for that year – one “Imagination” by Beau – was rejected in favour of Ms. Hopkin’s catastrophic failure.
 
When the sainted Dana was announced as the winner – with 32 points against Hopkins’ 26 – I found myself screaming at that flickering black and white image in the corner, “IT SHUDD’A BEEN ME!”
 
It all could have been so different. British pride could so easily have been cemented for all time (following Lulu’s momentous “Boom Bang-a-Bang” triumph the previous year); our country’s position in Europe would have been secured; and of course Brexit would never have happened. And André Rieu would never have achieved the position of influence he enjoys today!
 
Never has the expression “forgive them for they know not what they do!” been more appropriate!
 
Thank goodness I am of an understanding nature. It has taken time and much counselling, but I can truthfully say I have now come to terms with what can in hindsight only be regarded as a total, calamitous failure of judgement and abdication of our soft power.
 
And yet, I occasionally still weep when I recall how Britain’s position and future in the world was so cruelly compromised those fifty-two years ago.
 
This, then, is for old times’ sake…