Simon Clark - Taking Liberties

Just arrived in Harrogate.

I am giving a short presentation to an FLVA (Federation of Licensed Victuallers) seminar at The Old Swan Hotel.

I'll be discussing the Save Our Pubs and Clubs campaign and I've just noticed that I am following Dr Martin Rawlings MBE of the British Beer and Pub Association.

The BBPA has never shown the slightest interest in supporting the campaign or reviewing the smoking ban, a point I might mention during my speech!

Update on Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 16:34 by

Simon Clark

Hope you're having a good day.

I am currently having afternoon tea in Bettys, the famous cafe and tea rooms founded in 1919. Whenever I'm in Harrogate I come here.

In a few minutes I shall buy a couple of 'Fat Rascal' coffee mugs, made exclusively for Bettys by Emma Bridgewater. They are designed in honour of Bettys Fat Rascal and I have two at home already but you can't have too many Fat Rascal mugs, in my opinion.

By coincidence, each speaker at this morning's seminar was given a Fat Rascal as a small thank you. I shall eat it as soon as I get home. After all, "there's nothing better than a warm, buttered Fat Rascal".