St George’s flags should only be allowed to be attached to lamp-posts if they are accompanied by a “certificate of conformity”, stating that they have been manufactured entirely in the UK or that they have been hand-knitted within a 2.5 mile radius. I can’t imagine any patriot flying a flag not made in the UK (‘Don’t call this racist’: row grows over motives behind England flag campaign, 20 August).
Bob Cooper
Barlestone, Leicestershire
• Unlike researchers in Illinois, I am not in the least “shocked” that birds stay awake longer due to light pollution (Report, 21 August). In 1976, I remember visiting Middlesbrough, home of Teesside Steelworks and a chemical plant, and seeing their huge sites bathed in light all night long. The hum of industry was accompanied by a remarkable level of birdsong at midnight. Spring birdsong at night was common in industrial cities in the north of England.
Dr Simon Sweeney
University of York
• Anne Cowper may be disappointed about Keith Flett’s age (Letters, 21 August), but I shall never get over him giving custom to, of all places, Wetherspoon’s. How could you, Keith?
Brian Smith
Berlin, Germany
• I use old spectacle cases (Letters, 22 August) as mini man-holders for loose coppers, old keys, nuts and bolts or anything else essential that I may never need again.
Yair Klein
London
• Never mind early autumn fruit (Report, 19 August), in East Sussex we’ve got the first conkers.
Dave Young
St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex
• Have an opinion on anything you’ve read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section.
