But the gloom returned when Sally Taylor moved on and the lights went out. Now the spacious showroom is to have another role, as a book shop.

Lithgow’s only book shop, A Readers Heaven, is expanding and is set to relocate to Mort Street from the present shop in eastern Main Street. Proprietor Paul Phillips says he has plans to make it more than just a book shop and something of a social centre.

Another large empty shop being occupied has to be good.

MAYOR Maree Statham must have hidden reserves of energy.

She turns up everywhere to show the flag for council and always does it with style.

Saturday was a good example.

The mayor started off by participating at the celebration at the library marking the 60th anniversary of the 1954 royal visit to Lithgow.

Then it was off to the Youth Week gala at Lithgow Skate Park and possibly time for a quick sausage sandwich at the Lions barbie before opening a new exhibition at Eskbank House.

Our tireless mayor finished up attending an opening of a major championship go kart event at Marrrangaroo raceway.

It was an itinerary almost as crowded as the key players in that other royal tour currently under way in our part of the world.