Thanks from the LVNH

As senior officers of licensed trade charity, the Licensed Victuallers National Homes, we would like to thank the south-east convention committee and all the loyal supporters and members of the wholesale and allied trades who attended our annual convention in Eastbourne this year. The convention was successful and very informative on many issues regarding the future of the LVNH and its members. Jon Bristow Chairman Pat Sandford Chairman of the Central Fundraising Council The Licensed Victuallers National Homes Denham Garden Village Denham Green Lane Denham Uxbridge Middlesex UB9 5LB A tribute to John Mulligan I would like to pay tribute to a great past chairman of the Licensed Victuallers' National Homes ­ namely John Mulligan, who died on 19 October. He was chairman in 1974 and had the honour of having Prince Phillip as his president during the 150th year of the founding of the LVNH. John was a tireless worker for the charity. He was a renowned figure among the charity workers of the trade and highly respected by the ladies of the other trade charities. A popular figure with everyone ­ he was blessed with a fine singing voice and was in great demand at many charity functions to sing ­ his favourite being On the Street Where You Live. John also presided at many charity events in his capacity as a red-coated toastmaster. I shall always remember John as an extremely kind and generous gentleman, blessed with a constant and humorous smile. George Ives 32 Amersham Hill Gardens High Wycombe Buckinghamshire HP13 6QR Tim Martin's at it again Your letters page said it all last week ­ Tim Martin there again. And more articles, of a very positive nature, about Wetherspoon's. Why do you support them? I reckon I know why Tim Martin really does not want a change in our licensing authorities, from magistrates to councillors; its because councillors would be much more concerned than magistrates may be about the social effects of drunkenness and loutish behaviour amongst their ratepayers, caused by cheap drinks. I have heard lots of stories (and experienced it with our own outlets) of the dregs of the market going into Wetherspoon's outlets to get tanked up. Then they tumble out of Wetherspoon's and into adjacent pubs, where they spend no money and cause trouble. It's just not right. I sincerely hope that, when considering applications for new licences made by Wetherspoon's, magistrates (and later, councillors) will consider the effect that cheap drink has on the social behaviour of people. Perth magistrates are on the right track. I wish we had Retail Price Maintenance back so Wetherspoon's practices and those of their copiers would be outlawed. The worst thing is that, to summarise, pubs affected by Wetherspoon's have to try to retain their trade the best they can ­ which forces some to cut prices when they really don't want to, and can't afford to. Tony Brookes The Head of Steam Manesty Leazes Lane Hexham Northumberland NE46 3AE Jealous' guys should rethink Having read your letters page last week I find myself somewhat confused ­ do Mr Brookes and Mr Tasker object to Tim Martin because he runs a very successful business, because he is often quoted in the press, because he is not an industry and Government lap dog, or because he has long hair and doesn't wear a suit? I think the mention by Mr Tasker of Richard Branson suggests, perhaps, it is the last reason. Mr Martin is more than able to defend himself and I have no intention of doing so, however, I feel it is important that comments about licensing reform be taken out of these personal "jealousies". Tim Martin and Stuart Neame are indeed expressing the views of the trade in general with 50,000 objecting to the main thrust of the reforms, ie, transfer and cost. We are being told that the cost will be less than present ­ how can that be the case when at best they (HM Government) are talking at least £500 a year? May I remind fellow licensees that we currently pay at most £50 a year for variations etc, and £30 every three years for a licence. We do not have to worry about politicians or vested interests, but we will if local authorities take over. HMG says it will curb the powers of the LAs but LAs are already talking limits on all pubs, variations in fees, etc, or they will lobby MPs if it is not included in the reforms. How then can we trust anything else they do? Mr Grogan, in his article, is totally wrong ­ the issue of cost and LAs is the main agenda but it is not what the trade bodies want us to think because they are cozying up to HMG. Weatherspoon's may or may not be a trade wrecker, that is immaterial over the issue of licensing reform. If Mr Brookes can afford to have thousands of pounds wiped off his company's bottom line, good luck to him ­ sadly those of us who run single outlets can't afford to. If Mr Martin wants to spend his own money trying to highlight 50,000 people's concerns, I certainly do not object and neither should Mr Brookes or others. R Feal-Martinez The Carpenters ArmsSouth MarstonWiltshire, SN3 4ST