YOU may not have noticed, but yesterday was St George's Day.

There was the traditional parade and service at the Minster, and a family celebration at Rowntree Park. But on the whole, as usual, England's national day was a low-key affair.

The Irish make a great fuss about their St Patrick. So why don't we, about our St George?

English reserve? The English flag's unfair association with racism? Or the fact our patron saint isn't even, ahem, an Englishman?

We don't know. But here's to next year...

Updated: 09:52 Monday, April 24, 2006