What a wonderful week. What a wonderful day with jubilee jubilation and World Cup wonder - and there's more to come.

The Queen came to Ardingly fresh from her jubilee weekend and even Sussex showers failed to dampen the spirits of the cheering crowds.

Skipper David Beckham's goal from the penalty spot in the crucial match against Argentina in Japan gave England a great chance of proceeding to the knock-out stages.

It was all a glorious climax to a week which many people took as holiday following the long jubilee weekend and with children on their half-term break.

Jubilee celebrations for the 50th anniversary of The Queen's accession started slowly and it seemed enthusiasm might be muted after all the royals' difficulties over the years.

However, the two concerts at Buckingham Palace, classical and rock, were an unqualified success and they were followed by the great pageant on Tuesday when more than a million people packed The Mall and neighbouring parks to pay their respects to Her Majesty.

Now The Queen has paid her only visit to Sussex as part of her nationwide jubilee tour, stopping off at the South of England Show in Ardingly.

Her presence there helped swell the crowds and gave the event a fillip it badly needed following its cancellation last year because of foot-and-mouth.

After the disappointing draw against Sweden, England were hardly expected to beat Argentina, their arch rivals who were among the favourites for the World Cup.

However, after Michael Owen had been fouled, Beckham held his nerve to strike home a penalty that proved decisive.

Millions of fans packed into pubs or in front of TV sets at home or in offices and factories roared with approval as the penalty was awarded.

It was a long second half as Argentina kept up the pressure but the defence prevailed and England gained revenge for previous World Cup defeats.

Then the celebrations began and people who had been partying last weekend for The Queen started again to salute their footballing heroes.

It's not over yet. England still have to do well against Nigeria who are no pushovers.

If they proceed to the next stages, they have to beat some of the world's top footballing nations before they can even get close to emulating the heroes of 1966.

There was not one weak link in an England team that has overcome problems caused by injury and a long domestic season to produce a stunning victory.

Whatever happens in the remaining matches, England fans will long remember this win over formidable opponents.

Both events showed patriotism at its best: a real love for the best features of England and Britain without any racist undertones.

The World Cup continues for the rest of June and the jubilee for the rest of the year. There should be more to celebrate but no one will forget this week or yesterday.