Why we should treasure pubs (From Bournemouth Echo)

Why we should treasure pubs

9:00am Friday 27th November 2009

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THE first time I went into a pub and ordered a pint I experienced a revelation.

Since that day, decades ago, I have spent many a happy hour in Pubs discussing everything from the Baggies to Blair with friends whom, I like to think, corrected their misguided views after receiving the benefit of my beery wisdom.

Over the years, pubs have changed dram- atically but there has always been something about them of which we should be proud.

They are quintessentially British. True, that’s not always something to boast about. (Just think of our ability to moan, to dance uncom- fortably, our talent for loutishness and our website rudeness.) But there’s still a lot to admire about Britain and the British. Like places called Scratchy Bottom, Marmite and pubs. Of which, alarmingly, no fewer than 50 a week are calling “last orders” for the last time.

Pubs are special to Britain. And the govern- ment should think again about its myopic plans to increase duty on beer when so many are battling for survival.

Why do I think pubs are worth preserving? They are living theatre where anyone can join the banter. Go into any pub where two or more people are waiting to be served and, if the bar staff make a mistake, you will hear the customer say: “I think this person was before me.” That characterises the best of British.

And if you’re wondering about that revelation I experienced when I first went in a pub to order a pint? It occurred when I was just 13.

And a size 10 boot up the backside revealed my Grandad was standing just behind me.

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