Valerie

What's Great about Britain, Erm, Erm, well we soon won't have many public houses as they are knocking them down, we don't really have free speech any more, we definitely don't have those courageous pigeons Ken Livingstone saw to that, I think this Country used to be great but God knows what it's future is!!

Val

Better the chaos of creativity than the tidiness of idleness.

Steve Crook

You didn't quite get the point of this discussion did you?

You can't say we don't have free speech, or they'll lock you up

Which part of Surrey are you in? I see pubs being built all over the place in my part of Surrey. And as for the pigeons, courageous or cowardly, I don't see any reductions in their numbers when I'm in London

Steve

Valerie

I did get the point, I just had difficulty thinking of something 'great'!! I didn't know they were building more pubs, since the smoking ban no-one wants to go to the pub anymore!! GREAT news about the pigeons though!!!

Val

Better the chaos of creativity than the tidiness of idleness.

Steve Crook

There are other threads where people moan about the state of the country. This thread was started as a counter to that to record everything people like about the country.

Steve

GRAEME

One of things I like about this country is that people will have a good bitch and a grumble and moan on and on and you don't get the forced jolity and politeness you get in some places like in America sometimes.

Having said that, I'm sick of miserable peole moaning on about things.

And I reserve the right to moan on about it.

My foot has just fallen off...

All men leak.

davidb

one of the pleasures of being 40 is youve earned the right to have a good moan ! good luck with your foot ,make sure the nhs dont stitch it on back to front

GRAEME

... or blocking any major orifices! I know, I know...

All men leak.

batman

I know a good foot story .... and it has an NHS connection, but maybe it's not a good idea to tell it on this forum.

ps - Are you moaning about the NHS?

"Boom boom a baby .... Banham Zoo .... Banana pants! Hahahaha"

davidb

yes im exercising my right to moan ,this time about the nhs .the last time i was at the lister hospital in stevenage ,they had never heard of the film "here we go round the mulberry bush " ! despite the fact that theyve got a ward called "the mulberry bush ward " ! disgraceful ! whats the country coming to ?

batman

"Boom boom a baby .... Banham Zoo .... Banana pants! Hahahaha"

Dame Starry

Was that the maternity ward?

DS x.

Steve Crook

That'd be the Goosberry Bush ward

Steve

Dame Starry

No, that's a mis-conception...........

DS x.

Steve Crook

Steve

Marky B

The smoking ban has done harm on the licenced trade,but it is not the only reason why pubs are closing. As I wrote before,sometimes the competition can be too great,especially in an area of high unemployment.
Country pubs are hit because of lack of transport and maybe lack of appeal to go there. For a country pub to thrive,providing good meals and good B&B facilities is a must. Sometimes people take on pubs with rose tinted glasses and tend to get bulldozed by the work it needs when they take over.
I once had a meal in a pub in Low Row in North Yorkshire,and while it was adequate,I can imagine people going on the further miles to Reeth or Tan Hill,for exceptional meals.
I am not suggesting people to drink and drive to go to country pubs - soft drinks are just as good a money earner for the landlords,if not better than alcohol - but the clampdown on drinking and driving are also a factor. Although,why people think they have a duty to drive out to a pub and drink a few beers is beyond me. If I am at the wheel,a pint of lime and water or coffee suits me.
If a landlord is a tenant at the mercy of a brewery or large company who set bigger targets each month,I can imagine the mine hosts,will be at their tether.
I would love a country pub myself,employing a good chef for meals,but I would not work for anyone other than myself. However,to buy a pub is costly and some won't accept loaned money.
Alas there are pubs closing,but it is also a reflection of the economic timeswe are going through. As Steve says,there are pubs being build,but I don't think it will be enough to replace the ones we have lost. The reality is,we don't need that many now.
Ta Ta
Marky B

I am special. The heavens always open for me.