I WAS disappointed to notice on Tuesday that none of the main buildings and churches in the city were flying flags to mark the Queen’s 89th birthday. Even York Minster wasn’t flying a flag, which did surprise me.

I think at one time all the churches and official buildings in the city would be flying the union flag or indeed the flag of St George, and would do so with great pride.

Why is this? Is it the times we are living in and the political climate that flags were not flown so as not to upset any particular group? I would like to hear from anyone who knows.

It was of course lovely to see that the 21-gun salute did go ahead, as it has done for many years now in Museum Gardens.

Sean Atkinson, Gillygate, York.