Wayland Van Hyldyck Smith, of Forde Park, Newton Abbot, writes:

Many pubs, shops and private individuals, proud of their heritage, flew that epitome of Englishness, the flag of St George on Saturday, April 23, that quintessential part of the born and bred Yeomen of England with their hearts of oak and proud to be living in this sceptred isle set in a silver sea.

Why, therefore, was that icon of Newton Abbot known far and wide – the centrally placed St Leonard's Clock Tower with its massive flag pole set into the crenellated roof – was it not flying this flag, nor any flag at all, on this auspicious day? not even the town hall recognised the event.

This was much commented upon by those watching the short ceremony organised by Michael Martyn, local historian, who endeavours to keep alive all such traditions and mediaeval ceremonies rather than let them fall into oblivion through disinterest and apathy.

Apart from the young children symbolically unrolling St George's flag at ground level and then holding it up during the ceremony, no flag flew. why was such a thing allowed to happen on such an auspicious occasion?

Can anyone tell me, where was the flag?MORE LETTERS ONLINE