St George's Day (April 23rd), is still the poor relation of Saint's Days, which comes as no real surprise. Let's face it, the  Government has pandered to the Welsh and Scots but when it comes to England we are not allowed to celebrate our heritage.
We have interference from the Scots in our Parliament and official forms don't give an English option - only British.
Support and sponsorship for St George's Day is slowly building with Greene King Abbot Ale now a contender after Wells Bombardier had made all the running over the last few years. There were even some Abbot Ale pewter tankards on offer.
Wells Bombardier has been championing the cause to celebrate St George's Day for over ten years and in that time has helped turn the April 23rd into the third busiest day in the pub calendar.

Wells promote Bombardier bitter as the "Drink of England" and so ran a poll to find England's Ultimate Icon. The great English public voted on it and made the inspirational war leader Winston Churchill their number one choice.
People had the chance to vote from an English Icon top ten list or submit their own choice. This attracted nominations ranging from fictional characters such as Del Boy, Sooty and James Bond, to sports stars including David Beckham, Bobby Charlton and Linford Christie and the Grand National legend, Desert Orchid. Someone even voted for Mr Blobby and Roland Rat!

The top ten: Winston Churchill - 30%                     St George - 21%
Lord Nelson - 10%                                                   William Shakespeare - 8%
Robin Hood - 4%                                                      Bobby Moore - 4%
Queen Victoria - 3%                                                Isaac Newton - 2%
Henry VIII - 2%                                                     Charles Dickens - 1%

   (Other nominations - 15%)

Another survey from the anti-drinking brigade claims that most drivers would welcome lower drink-drive limits. Apart from this being like turkeys voting for Christmas, lower limits will not stop those who already,wilfully drive well over the existing limit.
Some countries have set a lower level of 50mg and it is as low as 20mg in Norway and Sweden, but the UK is in harmony with many countries including Italy, Ireland, Luxembourg, Switzerland and the USA which all have a limit of 80mg.
The point is that if people don't abide by the current limit what makes politicians think they will change if the level is reduced? It's more likely to criminalise someone who has the residue of a good session the night before. Problematic drink-drivers are already covered by existing law and will continue to flout it just the same.

The Chequers at Goldhanger has been declared the Rural Pub of the Year by Colchester area CAMRA. Phil and Dom have worked wonders with the historic old pub and in the 6 years there it has become renowned for both food and ales. Their efforts have also been recognised by Punch Taverns with a Community Pub Award so it's a double-celebration. Congrats!!

The Chequers Landlord Phil Glover age 49 seeks a woman - yes that's right, he's not gay. He would like a female partner - all sizes and ages considered. Contact him at the Chequers, Goldhanger.

The Barracuda bar in Scunthorpe had to close its smoking shelter because council bosses decided it was more than 50% enclosed when its two side shutters were in use. The 'laugh' is that the shutters were a licensing requirement - also a council responsibility. Cheers!

Addendum: In TaP-room 35 we forgot to mention that there was no 'Most Improved' pub award given by South East Essex CAMRA this year. This is a great shame as we believe that the Waggon & Horses, Hadleigh was a clear winner.