SIR - It had always been my belief that the majority of the residents in Sidmouth were traditional, patriotic men and women. Imagine my surprise and sorrow therefore when on Saturday, Saint George’s Day, apart from mine, I saw no red rose buttonholes and only three St George’s Cross flags in the whole of Sidmouth; on the Parish Church, Fields shop and the Belmont Hotel.

Has the EU made us feel that it is wrong to be patriotic?

It certainly has not done so to Scottish, Welsh and Irish nationals on their saints’ days.

Come on Sidmouthians, you can do better next year.

D Pedder 64 Winslade Road EX10 9EZ,