OK, well we didn’t quite manage a live report, owing to the fact that the free wi-fi didn’t actually exist.
The Raglan Arms in Weston-super-Mare UK is an old fashioned real ale pub, in the style of ‘spit and sawdust’ as it used to be known. Rather quaint, and probably untouched from its original design, it has the old fashioned format of a separate lounge and pubic bar. It usually has around 4 real ales on offer, as well as plenty of choice for the non-beer drinkers. In the extensive interview that follows, in the interests of blending in with the other punters and as part of our commitment to the cause, we reluctantly tried all the real ales, twice I recall.
“What have you done with all the old ashtrays” I asked Freddy, the gaffer? “We keep those to throw at the smokers who forget not to smoke”, he replied.
A bit of research later on reveals that a major blow was dealt to the UK Ashtray making industry, when pubs and public places become ‘no smoking’ establishments. Manufacturing figures have plumeted, and share prices have fallen to their lowest levels ever. Many manufacturers in this crucial UK industry sector have now diversified into other areas of business. For example the world famous ‘Acme Ashtray Company’ founded in 1422, has now branched out into rigid plastic and glass combo sex toys, whilst some of its old stock of ashtrays are gradually being sold off to tourists, as historical artifacts of a county once known as a world leader in freedom of human rights.
At this point ‘time’ was called and we were asked to leave. So during our extensive interview, we believe we have identified the first set of major losers in the ‘smoker poker’ controversy.
Next report comes live from the Witherspoons in W-s-m, where I am assured that wi-fi is available free with the purchase of alcoholic beverages … if it’s got to be done, it’s got to be done … all in a good cause.
** BONUS MATERIAL **
FAMOUS MADEIRANS (either born on or lived on Madeira)
Amongst others, these are some of Madeira’s most famous sons and “daughters”, not always for the best of reasons:
Christopher Columbus, Explorer
Cristiano Ronaldo, Manchester United and Portugal midfielder
Karl of Austria, Austrian monarch
Maria Teresinha Gomes, famous tranvestite who posed undetected as an army general for 20 years (full story to be published here in within the next week!)
