What a mean-spirited killjoy John Parry is (The Argus, May 31): "Can't afford holidays for the Jubilee. Can't afford celebrations. As if Christmas isn't bad enough. Bah, humbug."

He would have us all with our noses to the grindstone every second of the day in a drab, grey, joyless society where laughter was banned.

While everyone is rejoicing for and with the Queen, he quotes stock market and bank reports.

I don't hear him moaning like this about the billions spent on weapons - and this from a man whose "work" is writing a few waspish lines now and again.

No wonder he doesn't understand how important holidays are to real workers.

The Golden Jubilee has paid for itself by the millions of tourists who have come to share the celebrations.

Besides, the Queen has worked non-stop for 50 years in a way even Puritan Parry would approve of. Surely she deserves great thanks for her love and devotion to the country.

So please, John, stop sounding like Eeyore from Winnie-the-Pooh and try to smile - it's only once in 50 years.

-David Melling, Mayo Road, Brighton