Chris Maclean: St George and all that

Today is Saint George's Day. I confess I am not much of a patriot and I am not doing anything to celebrate our national saint.

But this morning, after banking, I visited the butchers and was asked if I was doing anything to mark the event. Sadly I told him I wasn't. It feels disloyal not putting anything on but I don't feel it is my style.

So it was with some pleasure that, walking back to the pub, I saw two men festooning the neighbouring pub with the flags of St George. Nothing too elaborate, but a fine effort none the less. I went and told them so. Well done.

It is becoming increasingly evident that the licensees in this town are very clued up on events. In a few weeks time there will be a cycle ride in the town and pubs and organisations are invited to enter teams. I thought I would seize the initiative and get a team organised from here. But on visiting a neighbouring pub I realised it was already being done there.

At least two pubs have organised a trip to the Derby. Almost every pub has something going on. An event, party or festivity.

I think there are two clear messages here.

The first is that these pubs are celebrating the diversity of our trade. They distinguish themselves from their competitors because they do something different. And, interestingly, the other pubs do not necessarily feel compelled to follow. Each of the pubs has forged a distinctive identity which works for them. Making this place distinctive is therefore more difficult. But one licensee I spoke to this morning told me how successful his TV sport was but he was unable to excel in real ale. Fine. There are others who will. I hope I can make inroads here.

The second thing, and this takes some getting used to, is the notion that selling alcohol is actually almost peripheral to what pubs actually do. Some would decry pubs and say they are a social evil. Nonsense. Pubs can be, and often are, the heartbeat of the community. They are the expression of community involvement.

I see around the town people wearing St George's crosses, dressed in red and white. There will be pubs that can accommodate them. Who will welcome them. Who will provide for them.

The same goes for motorcyclists, trainspotters, football players, fishermen, actors and stamp collectors. The diversity of pubs enable people from all walks of life to engage in a sociable activity. Even if the government wishes to paint them the same shade of grey.

So cheers to the pubs of this town and their diversity and their community. Well done.