
IF YOU were to write the story of the role of the pub in our history, it would run into many volumes. The pub has played a crucial role in our politics, economics and our culture. I must admit, for me this is personal, some of my most important cultural experiences have been in pubs.
As a jazz and folk fan there’s nothing more sublime than a good gig over a pint, or as satisfying after a political meeting as putting the world to rights in the pub. One of the things I’ve missed in Covid times has been those convivial connections; I miss the meetings less.
Yet not a week has gone by when there has not been news of a pub closing for good. Every time I hear that, it feels like a real blow as a community loses an important space. Last month, such a closure made our regional TV news — not in a good way.



