I USUALLY avoid the centre of York on a Saturday, but this week I decided to be brave and meet a friend for coffee.

What a nice surprise, there was music everywhere, Vikings were walking the streets (in peace), the market in Parliament Street was buzzing and the sun was shining.

I did feel slightly out of place in a local hostelry where a party of hens were wearing blue tutus and the men tartan dresses – is this fashion in the city on a Saturday afternoon?

Anne Church, Severus Avenue, Acomb, York.