What I Love About Pubs: Helen Dickerson
I love my pub. It's the one place that despite my best efforts to broaden my horizons I always end up in at some point every weekend. I love getting ready to go out, spending far too long trying to look like I just threw something on.
It's only the pub, but the Charles Bradlaugh has taken on a whole new dimension now I'm single. Just get me the table with a good view - I do like to see what's going on.
Coming from a small town has scant advantages but bumping into your matesin the pub without having to arrange it is one. After living in London it makes a welcome change from the organisation a big night out used to require.
On the flipside, where else but a small town pub can you be easily located by old school friends, ex-boyfriends and everyone else you have been trying to avoid for the past 20 years? It ain't all good...
I love my pub because an average night can turn into a really ace night just by the right people being in the right place at the right time. It's these nights that make me go back to the same place every week. I don't want to miss anything do I?
The best thing about pubs, though, is that like any good friend they are there for the aftermath. Spending Sunday afternoons reading the Sunday papers. Sitting on the big leather squashy sofa with my mates. Snacking on bar food. Nursing our hangovers with pints of orange juice.
- If you're a keen pub-goer who'd like to contribute a piece for this column, email philm@thepublican.com
