In article . com,
dennis@home wrote:
Its the pubs that cater for families that are still going.

More likely those who attempted to do so closed down. Most who liked pubs
and the culture don't want screaming kids around.

--
*Why is the third hand on the watch called a second hand?

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

In article . com,
dennis@home wrote:
I am not criticising the right of people to be in a smoke free
atmosphere - but banning smoking on say an open station platform is stupid.

Only a stupid smoker would think that its OK to smoke just because its
in the open.
I can assure you that when I start coughing if I have to breath in that
cr@p its not because I am trying to make a point its because the selfish
*******s have tried to poison me and my lung and throat are reacting to
get rid of the ****.

I take it you avoid all roads then? Even although I agree that fag smoke
is unpleasant to many non smokers, diesel fumes are equally as bad - and
likely just as dangerous.

--
*Shin: a device for finding furniture in the dark *

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

On 20/06/2015 08:42, Tim Watts wrote:


I hope you stay in when you have a cold or tummy bug.

Because those ******s who insist on coughing their crappy bugs all all
the train I'm on really **** me off!

They **** me off too, that's why I avoid public transport if I can.
Have you noticed how many smokers are coughing all the time, they do it
so much they don't even notice they are doing it.

On 20/06/15 11:06, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
In article ,
harry wrote:
I think the trouble for pubs is cheap supermarket booze and home
entertainment. Fags has little to do with it.

You go to a pub purely to drink booze and watch telly? Figures.

.....Sneer of the day from the resident Lefty****.


--
New Socialism consists essentially in being seen to have your heart in
the right place whilst your head is in the clouds and your hand is in
someone else's pocket.

On 20/06/2015 11:09, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
In article . com,
dennis@home wrote:
Its the pubs that cater for families that are still going.

More likely those who attempted to do so closed down. Most who liked pubs
and the culture don't want screaming kids around.


And thus leaving the majority of pubs catering for families?
Maybe you live where there are only working mens clubs?

On 20/06/2015 11:12, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
In article . com,
dennis@home wrote:
I am not criticising the right of people to be in a smoke free
atmosphere - but banning smoking on say an open station platform is stupid.

Only a stupid smoker would think that its OK to smoke just because its
in the open.
I can assure you that when I start coughing if I have to breath in that
cr@p its not because I am trying to make a point its because the selfish
*******s have tried to poison me and my lung and throat are reacting to
get rid of the ****.

I take it you avoid all roads then? Even although I agree that fag smoke
is unpleasant to many non smokers, diesel fumes are equally as bad - and
likely just as dangerous.


There is seldom enough diesel fumes around to actually irritate my
throat but there is enough fag smoke from one smoker.

On 20/06/2015 11:25, Tim Streater wrote:
In article . com,
"dennis@home" wrote:

On 20/06/2015 08:42, Tim Watts wrote:


I hope you stay in when you have a cold or tummy bug.

Because those ******s who insist on coughing their crappy bugs all all
the train I'm on really **** me off!

They **** me off too, that's why I avoid public transport if I can.
Have you noticed how many smokers are coughing all the time, they do
it so much they don't even notice they are doing it.

Train back from St Pancras last night was certainly full of disease
vectors. Not heard so much coughing on a train in a coon's age.


Probably due to pollution/pollen. A lot of it about

On 19/06/2015 08:11, Chris Hogg wrote:

Just because they're fruit-flavoured? So you would advocate banning
fruit juices, cordials etc because they might lead to alcohol
addiction?


That's how many alcoholic drinks are being marketed these days. Take a
cheap to make raw undrinkable spirit and add fruit flavourings.
Marketed as an alco-pop.

The current trend is to take poor quality alcoholic apple juice and add
flavourings to make them more palatable. Marketed as a cider from a
maker that has been business for hundreds of years who miraculously pick
all their own apples from the cider apples orchards that have been
ripped up or neglected for the past half century.


--
mailto: news {at} admac {dot] myzen {dot} co {dot} uk

"alan_m" wrote in message
...
On 19/06/2015 08:11, Chris Hogg wrote:

Just because they're fruit-flavoured? So you would advocate banning
fruit juices, cordials etc because they might lead to alcohol
addiction?

That's how many alcoholic drinks are being marketed these days.

Take a cheap to make raw undrinkable spirit

There is nothing undrinkable about pure ethanol.

The fruit flavourings are added because that is how
many prefer to drink their alcohol, with some form
of flavouring added to it. Just as true of pink gin
or with gin itself, or with akvavit etc.

and add fruit flavourings. Marketed as an alco-pop.

The current trend is to take poor quality alcoholic apple juice and add
flavourings to make them more palatable.

Makes a lot more sense to start with sugar and ferment that.

Marketed as a cider from a maker that has been business for hundreds of
years who miraculously pick all their own apples from the cider apples
orchards that have been ripped up or neglected for the past half century.

On 19/06/2015 14:05, GMM wrote:

I think it should be positively promoted in pubs[1]: The smoking ban
has been a significant factor in the high level of pub closures in
recent years. By promoting vaping, pubs could bring in custom to help
their viability and encourage people to quit the fags at the same time,
restoring a valued national institution and doing significant good for
public health.

[1] I'm sure it's already the case in some, but none that I've been in
around here

Pubs were closing at a high rate before the smoking ban. The rate of
closure did increase after the ban but this coincided with economic
crisis. Many 'pub companies' with hundreds of pubs were run as property
companies. The financial model was to borrow on the value of property in
the hope it would rise in value. The financial crisis meant that some of
these companies were seriously in debt and had to get shot of their
property. Pubs are often worth more as housing stock rather than being
a viable retail business.

The are are many other reason that pubs are closing including alcoholic
drink in supermarkets being a quarter to a third of the price of the
equivalent in a pub and/or stricter control on drink driving.

While the 'trade' may blame smoking as a cause I suggest that many
causes may be closer to home. Too many publicans seem to believe that
the public owe then a living rather than providing a service.

I still see very successfully busy pubs in areas where other pubs a few
hundred yards away are completely empty. I still see pubs opening and
attracting a 'traditional' trade. I still see successful publicans
taking over multiple failing pubs and turning them around.

--
mailto: news {at} admac {dot] myzen {dot} co {dot} uk

On Saturday, 20 June 2015 11:08:20 UTC+1, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
In article ,
harry wrote:
I think the trouble for pubs is cheap supermarket booze and home
entertainment. Fags has little to do with it.

You go to a pub purely to drink booze and watch telly? Figures.


In byegone days people went to the pub to drink and to have a natter.
Now people don't socialise, they sit at home and watch TV and play video games/internet.

I go to our local for a meal once a week.

On Saturday, 20 June 2015 12:21:43 UTC+1, dennis@home wrote:
On 20/06/2015 11:12, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
In article . com,
dennis@home wrote:
I am not criticising the right of people to be in a smoke free
atmosphere - but banning smoking on say an open station platform is stupid.

Only a stupid smoker would think that its OK to smoke just because its
in the open.
I can assure you that when I start coughing if I have to breath in that
cr@p its not because I am trying to make a point its because the selfish
*******s have tried to poison me and my lung and throat are reacting to
get rid of the ****.

I take it you avoid all roads then? Even although I agree that fag smoke
is unpleasant to many non smokers, diesel fumes are equally as bad - and
likely just as dangerous.


There is seldom enough diesel fumes around to actually irritate my
throat but there is enough fag smoke from one smoker.

Diesel engine fumes these days are odourless, insidious and deadly (long and short term.)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Partic...ealth_problems

"harry" wrote in message
...
On Saturday, 20 June 2015 11:08:20 UTC+1, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
In article ,
harry wrote:
I think the trouble for pubs is cheap supermarket booze and home
entertainment. Fags has little to do with it.

You go to a pub purely to drink booze and watch telly? Figures.

In byegone days people went to the pub to drink and to have a natter.

Plenty still do, just not as many as who used to.

Now people don't socialise,

Just another of your pathetic little drug crazed pig ignorant fantasys.

they sit at home and watch TV

Corse no one ever did anything like that in the past, eh ?

and play video games/internet.

Corse you never do anything like that yourself, eh ?

I go to our local for a meal once a week.

More fool you.

On 21/06/15 00:51, alan_m wrote:
On 19/06/2015 08:11, Chris Hogg wrote:

Just because they're fruit-flavoured? So you would advocate banning
fruit juices, cordials etc because they might lead to alcohol
addiction?


That's how many alcoholic drinks are being marketed these days. Take a
cheap to make raw undrinkable spirit and add fruit flavourings. Marketed
as an alco-pop.

The current trend is to take poor quality alcoholic apple juice and add
flavourings to make them more palatable. Marketed as a cider from a
maker that has been business for hundreds of years who miraculously pick
all their own apples from the cider apples orchards that have been
ripped up or neglected for the past half century.



Cider has always been the work of the devil. There are very few good
ciders and most are just headache inducing antifreeze.

On 21/06/15 01:26, alan_m wrote:

On 19/06/2015 14:05, GMM wrote:

I think it should be positively promoted in pubs[1]: The smoking ban
has been a significant factor in the high level of pub closures in
recent years. By promoting vaping, pubs could bring in custom to help
their viability and encourage people to quit the fags at the same time,
restoring a valued national institution and doing significant good for
public health.

[1] I'm sure it's already the case in some, but none that I've been in
around here

Pubs were closing at a high rate before the smoking ban. The rate of
closure did increase after the ban but this coincided with economic
crisis. Many 'pub companies' with hundreds of pubs were run as property
companies. The financial model was to borrow on the value of property in
the hope it would rise in value. The financial crisis meant that some of
these companies were seriously in debt and had to get shot of their
property. Pubs are often worth more as housing stock rather than being
a viable retail business.

The are are many other reason that pubs are closing including alcoholic
drink in supermarkets being a quarter to a third of the price of the
equivalent in a pub and/or stricter control on drink driving.

While the 'trade' may blame smoking as a cause I suggest that many
causes may be closer to home. Too many publicans seem to believe that
the public owe then a living rather than providing a service.

I still see very successfully busy pubs in areas where other pubs a few
hundred yards away are completely empty. I still see pubs opening and
attracting a 'traditional' trade. I still see successful publicans
taking over multiple failing pubs and turning them around.


I was in Tonbridge (Kent) yesterday and had to kill 2 1/2 hours wating
for daughter and was not driving.

"I know - I'll go to the pub and read the paper on my phone..."

I knew there are no pubs neat the station so walked on down the high
street towards the river and castle ruins:

1 The Castle pub on the river - closed, covered in scaffold.

2 The Wharf pub on the river - derelict.

3 Ye Olde Chequers Inn - could not tell if it was actually open. If it
was they did not want any customers as it looked dark, doors closed.

4 Ended up in the Slug and Lettuce - basically a shiny coffee shop that
happens to sell "beer". Well, lager and guinness and a bugger of a lot
of shots. It was comfortable and the WIFI worked and there was a bit of
a view of the castle if you say right. But it was not a pub and the beer
choice was non existent.


1) used to be quite popular and you could sit on the river.

2) Nice old wharfage type barn right on the riverside. Tripadvisor
suggest it was run by goons who would ticket your car in their car park
as soon as you stepped off the premised for 90 seconds to use the ATM.

3) Tripadvisor has mixed reviews on the B&B side from good to crap.



Now - tell me - when you have 3 pubs in a location like this with high
passing footfall:



how in ****'s name do you **** that up?

On 21/06/2015 09:56, Tim Watts wrote:

Now - tell me - when you have 3 pubs in a location like this with
high passing footfall:





how in ****'s name do you **** that up?

You don't serve what the passing public want, which the coffee shop does.

On 21/06/2015 09:41, Tim Watts wrote:
On 21/06/15 00:51, alan_m wrote:
On 19/06/2015 08:11, Chris Hogg wrote:

Just because they're fruit-flavoured? So you would advocate banning
fruit juices, cordials etc because they might lead to alcohol
addiction?


That's how many alcoholic drinks are being marketed these days. Take a
cheap to make raw undrinkable spirit and add fruit flavourings. Marketed
as an alco-pop.

The current trend is to take poor quality alcoholic apple juice and add
flavourings to make them more palatable. Marketed as a cider from a
maker that has been business for hundreds of years who miraculously pick
all their own apples from the cider apples orchards that have been
ripped up or neglected for the past half century.



Cider has always been the work of the devil. There are very few good
ciders and most are just headache inducing antifreeze.

aka Easy Start

In article ,
Rod Speed wrote:
There is nothing undrinkable about pure ethanol.

Only a desperate alcoholic would drink pure ethanol.

--
*Don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things.

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

In article ,
harry wrote:
There is seldom enough diesel fumes around to actually irritate my
throat but there is enough fag smoke from one smoker.

Diesel engine fumes these days are odourless, insidious and deadly (long
and short term.)

You've been believing makers claims again. Anyone who lives in a town will
know diesel fumes certainly ain't odourless in practice.

--
*Organized Crime Is Alive And Well; It's Called Auto Insurance.

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

"Tim Watts" wrote in message
...
On 21/06/15 01:26, alan_m wrote:

On 19/06/2015 14:05, GMM wrote:

I think it should be positively promoted in pubs[1]: The smoking ban
has been a significant factor in the high level of pub closures in
recent years. By promoting vaping, pubs could bring in custom to help
their viability and encourage people to quit the fags at the same time,
restoring a valued national institution and doing significant good for
public health.

[1] I'm sure it's already the case in some, but none that I've been in
around here

Pubs were closing at a high rate before the smoking ban. The rate of
closure did increase after the ban but this coincided with economic
crisis. Many 'pub companies' with hundreds of pubs were run as property
companies. The financial model was to borrow on the value of property in
the hope it would rise in value. The financial crisis meant that some of
these companies were seriously in debt and had to get shot of their
property. Pubs are often worth more as housing stock rather than being
a viable retail business.

The are are many other reason that pubs are closing including alcoholic
drink in supermarkets being a quarter to a third of the price of the
equivalent in a pub and/or stricter control on drink driving.

While the 'trade' may blame smoking as a cause I suggest that many
causes may be closer to home. Too many publicans seem to believe that
the public owe then a living rather than providing a service.

I still see very successfully busy pubs in areas where other pubs a few
hundred yards away are completely empty. I still see pubs opening and
attracting a 'traditional' trade. I still see successful publicans
taking over multiple failing pubs and turning them around.


I was in Tonbridge (Kent) yesterday and had to kill 2 1/2 hours wating for
daughter and was not driving.

"I know - I'll go to the pub and read the paper on my phone..."

I knew there are no pubs neat the station so walked on down the high
street towards the river and castle ruins:

1 The Castle pub on the river - closed, covered in scaffold.

2 The Wharf pub on the river - derelict.

3 Ye Olde Chequers Inn - could not tell if it was actually open. If it was
they did not want any customers as it looked dark, doors closed.

4 Ended up in the Slug and Lettuce - basically a shiny coffee shop that
happens to sell "beer". Well, lager and guinness and a bugger of a lot of
shots. It was comfortable and the WIFI worked and there was a bit of a
view of the castle if you say right. But it was not a pub and the beer
choice was non existent.


1) used to be quite popular and you could sit on the river.

2) Nice old wharfage type barn right on the riverside. Tripadvisor suggest
it was run by goons who would ticket your car in their car park as soon as
you stepped off the premised for 90 seconds to use the ATM.

3) Tripadvisor has mixed reviews on the B&B side from good to crap.



Now - tell me - when you have 3 pubs in a location like this with high
passing footfall:



how in ****'s name do you **** that up?

By getting to wear the fact that there aren't
enough like you to pay the cost of staying open.

Dave Plowman (News) wrote
Rod Speed wrote:

There is nothing undrinkable about pure ethanol.

Only a desperate alcoholic would drink pure ethanol.

Bull****. That is all vodka is with water added.

Even gin doesn’t have much more added.

"Rod Speed" wrote in message
...
Dave Plowman (News) wrote
Rod Speed wrote:

There is nothing undrinkable about pure ethanol.

Only a desperate alcoholic would drink pure ethanol.

Bull****. That is all vodka is with water added.

Even gin doesn’t have much more added.

both of which are generally undrinkable without the "mixer"

tim

whisky-dave pretended :
I do find it strange that there's so many flavours that aren't typical smoke
flavours. Why aren;t there silk cut, marlbourough, players, and all the other
cigs that people buy offered as flavours.
I wonder if haagen dazs will come out with tobacco falvour.

Maybe look at it the other way - why are ciggies only available in few
flavours? Nothing much went well with the taste of a burning ciggy,
apart from tobacco and maybe menthol. Tobacco is a difficult taste to
overcome with another flavour.

--
Regards,
Harry (M1BYT) (L)
http://www.ukradioamateur.co.uk

"tim....." wrote in message
...

"Rod Speed" wrote in message
...
Dave Plowman (News) wrote
Rod Speed wrote:

There is nothing undrinkable about pure ethanol.

Only a desperate alcoholic would drink pure ethanol.

Bull****. That is all vodka is with water added.

Even gin doesn’t have much more added.

both of which are generally undrinkable without the "mixer"

Bull****. Pink gin has no mixer.

"Rod Speed" wrote in message
...


"tim....." wrote in message
...

"Rod Speed" wrote in message
...
Dave Plowman (News) wrote
Rod Speed wrote:

There is nothing undrinkable about pure ethanol.

Only a desperate alcoholic would drink pure ethanol.

Bull****. That is all vodka is with water added.

Even gin doesn’t have much more added.

both of which are generally undrinkable without the "mixer"

Bull****. Pink gin has no mixer.

what do you think the "pink" is?

tim

On 21/06/15 10:16, dennis@home wrote:
On 21/06/2015 09:56, Tim Watts wrote:

Now - tell me - when you have 3 pubs in a location like this with
high passing footfall:






how in ****'s name do you **** that up?

You don't serve what the passing public want, which the coffee shop does.

The Slug and Lettuce is not a coffee shop.

It's a "pub" that looks like a coffee shop.

On 21/06/15 10:46, John Chance wrote:

By getting to wear the fact that there aren't
enough like you to pay the cost of staying open.

There are villages around here that can sustain 3 proper pubs.

I always thought Tonbridge was messed up but now I know it...

On 21/06/2015 10:57, tim..... wrote:

"Rod Speed" wrote
Dave Plowman (News) wrote
Only a desperate alcoholic would drink pure ethanol.
Bull****. That is all vodka is with water added.
Even gin doesn’t have much more added.
both of which are generally undrinkable without the "mixer"


IMHO Gin is undrinkable with or without a mixer

In article ,
Rod Speed wrote:


"tim....." wrote in message
...

"Rod Speed" wrote in message
...
Dave Plowman (News) wrote
Rod Speed wrote:

There is nothing undrinkable about pure ethanol.

Only a desperate alcoholic would drink pure ethanol.

Bull****. That is all vodka is with water added.

Even gin doesn’t have much more added.

both of which are generally undrinkable without the "mixer"

Bull****. Pink gin has no mixer.

so, do you not "mix" the angostura with the gin?

On 21/06/2015 09:41, Tim Watts wrote:

Cider has always been the work of the devil. There are very few good
ciders and most are just headache inducing antifreeze.


Proper ciders(scrumpies etc) are OK (not to my taste but OK). But all
the cheapish supermarket stuff (White lightning, White diamond etc) is
just bad tasting nugget juice AKA "headache inducing antifreeze"

"tim....." wrote in message
...

"Rod Speed" wrote in message
...


"tim....." wrote in message
...

"Rod Speed" wrote in message
...
Dave Plowman (News) wrote
Rod Speed wrote:

There is nothing undrinkable about pure ethanol.

Only a desperate alcoholic would drink pure ethanol.

Bull****. That is all vodka is with water added.

Even gin doesn’t have much more added.

both of which are generally undrinkable without the "mixer"

Bull****. Pink gin has no mixer.

what do you think the "pink" is?

Its not a mixer, its bitters and when its 'out', all that is done
with it is swirled around the glass and chucked away.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pink_Gin

"Tim Watts" wrote in message
...
On 21/06/15 10:46, John Chance wrote:

By getting to wear the fact that there aren't
enough like you to pay the cost of staying open.

There are villages around here that can sustain 3 proper pubs.

But that place clearly can't sustain even one.

I always thought Tonbridge was messed up but now I know it...

"soup" wrote in message
...
On 21/06/2015 10:57, tim..... wrote:

"Rod Speed" wrote
Dave Plowman (News) wrote
Only a desperate alcoholic would drink pure ethanol.
Bull****. That is all vodka is with water added.
Even gin doesn’t have much more added.
both of which are generally undrinkable without the "mixer"


IMHO Gin is undrinkable with or without a mixer

Clearly plenty disagree with you on that.

"Charles Hope" wrote in message
...
In article ,
Rod Speed wrote:


"tim....." wrote in message
...

"Rod Speed" wrote in message
...
Dave Plowman (News) wrote
Rod Speed wrote:

There is nothing undrinkable about pure ethanol.

Only a desperate alcoholic would drink pure ethanol.

Bull****. That is all vodka is with water added.

Even gin doesn't have much more added.

both of which are generally undrinkable without the "mixer"

Bull****. Pink gin has no mixer.

so, do you not "mix" the angostura with the gin?

That isn't what the word mixer means in that context.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drink mixer

Dave Plowman (News) pretended :
More likely those who attempted to do so closed down. Most who liked pubs
and the culture don't want screaming kids around.

I've never been a serious drinker, but I've always enjoyed a pint or
two. I never drink at home, I would never dream of buying a few tins or
bottles in, its just not the same - not the same drink, not the same
atmosphere.

I think the closedown of pubs began before the smoking ban, the ban
just seemed to add to it. In part it was brewaries wanting too big a
profit from their pubs.

I do like to see well behaved families in pubs, I don't like to see
kids running riot in them screaming - but that is down to the parents
and parents don't see control of their kids as any sort of priority
these days, unfortunately.

I don't feel the urge to vape, where smoking is banned, but for those
who want to it should be encouraged in moderation. The one good thing
to come out of this, is that most pubs now cater for food and some of
them quite good meals.

--
Regards,
Harry (M1BYT) (L)
http://www.ukradioamateur.co.uk

"Rod Speed" wrote in message
...


"tim....." wrote in message
...

"Rod Speed" wrote in message
...


"tim....." wrote in message
...

"Rod Speed" wrote in message
...
Dave Plowman (News) wrote
Rod Speed wrote:

There is nothing undrinkable about pure ethanol.

Only a desperate alcoholic would drink pure ethanol.

Bull****. That is all vodka is with water added.

Even gin doesn’t have much more added.

both of which are generally undrinkable without the "mixer"

Bull****. Pink gin has no mixer.

what do you think the "pink" is?

Its not a mixer, its bitters and when its 'out', all that is done
with it is swirled around the glass and chucked away.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pink_Gin

But According to your own link, the object of the exercise
was to make the consumption of the Angustura bitters more
enjoyable

quote

Plymouth gin is a 'sweet' gin, as opposed to London gin which
is 'dry', and was added to Angostura bitters to make the
consumption of Angostura bitters more enjoyable.[2]

quote

Now whether that's a load of old ******** or not I really
don't know.

But according to your very own link - rather than pink gin
being gin with an angostura bitters mixer, it is in fact
angustora bitters with a gin mixer.

quote

ngostura bitters were used as a treatment for sea sickness in 1824
by Dr. Johann Gottlieb Benjamin Siegert (though they were used for
other medicinal purposes long before this),[3] who subsequently
formed the House of Angostura, a company selling the bitters
to sailors.

quote


michael adams

....

In article ,
Rod Speed wrote:
Dave Plowman (News) wrote
Rod Speed wrote:

There is nothing undrinkable about pure ethanol.

Only a desperate alcoholic would drink pure ethanol.

Bull****. That is all vodka is with water added.

Then it's not pure ethanol, you wally.

Even gin doesn’t have much more added.

You obviously have an odd idea what 'pure' means.

--
*Why doesn't glue stick to the inside of the bottle?

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

On 21/06/2015 11:40, Rod Speed wrote:

"soup" wrote
IMHO Gin is undrinkable with or without a mixer

Clearly plenty disagree with you on that.

Bet you they drink Earl Grey too. ;O)

In article ,
Harry Bloomfield wrote:
Dave Plowman (News) pretended :
More likely those who attempted to do so closed down. Most who liked
pubs and the culture don't want screaming kids around.

I've never been a serious drinker, but I've always enjoyed a pint or
two. I never drink at home, I would never dream of buying a few tins or
bottles in, its just not the same - not the same drink, not the same
atmosphere.

I think the closedown of pubs began before the smoking ban, the ban
just seemed to add to it. In part it was brewaries wanting too big a
profit from their pubs.

My favourite local pub had its heyday when run by a tenant and his wife.
Who also chose decent staff. Absolutely excellent home cooked food too -
but only at lunchtime. The dining room became a bar in the evenings and
weekends. Big pub too, but always busy.

When he retired (or whatever) the brewery put in a succession of managers.
Non of whom really understood that pub. Or knew how to choose suitable
staff. It's now a 'gastro' pub with absolutely no atmosphere or regulars.

I do like to see well behaved families in pubs, I don't like to see
kids running riot in them screaming - but that is down to the parents
and parents don't see control of their kids as any sort of priority
these days, unfortunately.

All kids like to make noise. Fine by me. But I'd rather not have that when
I want a chat with pals.

I don't feel the urge to vape, where smoking is banned, but for those
who want to it should be encouraged in moderation. The one good thing
to come out of this, is that most pubs now cater for food and some of
them quite good meals.

WE have a gazillion decent restaurants round here many struggling for
business. But a paucity of good old fashioned pubs. The only two left
within a reasonable distance now so packed as to be uncomfortable.

But given the ridiculous property prices I can see why it can make sense
to convert them to housing.

--
*Why don't you ever see the headline "Psychic Wins Lottery"?

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

On 21/06/15 12:04, Harry Bloomfield wrote:
Dave Plowman (News) pretended :
More likely those who attempted to do so closed down. Most who liked pubs
and the culture don't want screaming kids around.

I've never been a serious drinker, but I've always enjoyed a pint or
two. I never drink at home, I would never dream of buying a few tins or
bottles in, its just not the same - not the same drink, not the same
atmosphere.

I think the closedown of pubs began before the smoking ban, the ban just
seemed to add to it. In part it was brewaries wanting too big a profit
from their pubs.

Two things trashed pubs in the country - clamping down on drink driving
and the smoking ban.


I do like to see well behaved families in pubs, I don't like to see kids
running riot in them screaming - but that is down to the parents and
parents don't see control of their kids as any sort of priority these
days, unfortunately.

I don't feel the urge to vape, where smoking is banned, but for those
who want to it should be encouraged in moderation. The one good thing to
come out of this, is that most pubs now cater for food and some of them
quite good meals.


For once I can agree with you, but unfortunately it was the profit on
alcohol that had the pubs there in the first place.

But pub closures are mot a new thing: at one place I lived my landlord
then was born around 1910 or so, and he pointed to the fields and said
'there were 3 churches, five pubs and several hundred houses here when I
were a boy' today there are a few scattered houses none of which are
anything to do with agriculture, and the rest are derelict or ploughed in.

That was the impact of mechanisation on farming in the 20th century.

Likewise today more people socialise by twitter and other internet
things, than by chatting at the pub, home entertainment killed cinemas
largely, the microwave killed the pub snack, and changing attitudes to
smoking and drinking sounded the death knell.

Throw in huge amounts of populations on the move who have little sense
of community either, and there is as much reason for pubs to exist today
as - say - Bradford.


Of course the tendency ios to try and stop the changes because change
itself is tough on those who are involved, but you cant hold back the
tide of the future.

Pubs simply don't need to exist anymore, and that's why they are closing.


--
New Socialism consists essentially in being seen to have your heart in
the right place whilst your head is in the clouds and your hand is in
someone else's pocket.