Teetotal minister hits out at 'boozy venue' for councillor surgeries (From South Wales Guardian)
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Teetotal minister hits out at 'boozy venue' for councillor surgeries
12:00pm Thursday 21st June 2012 in News
A RETIRED chapel minister believes the newly-elected county councillor for Betws should not hold surgeries in the local rugby club.
Cllr Maldwyn John – a lifelong teetotaller -– feels Cllr Ryan Bartlett would be wrong to hold surgeries on licensed premises.
“I’m objecting to this on principle,” Cllr John told colleagues.
“This place where we meet (Capel Newydd Vestry) has always been good enough for the council – so why is it no longer good enough for a surgery?”
Cllr Bartlett replied that he had been merely seeking suggestions on where to meet some of the people he now represented.
However, fellow councillors Cath Smith and June Gunter felt it would be sensible to alternate venues.
“That way you’d get different types of people coming along,” suggested Cllr Gunter.
Speaking after the meeting, Cllr John said he had nothing against Betws RFC -– it was the fact alcohol was sold on their premises that he objected to.
“The chapel vestry has been used in the past and I think it’s a pity they’re thinking of going out of there,” he added.
“People nowadays can buy alcohol everywhereandonce it gets hold of young people it can cause a lot of problems.
“During my days with the Salvation Army we were always hearing tales of husbands cominghomedrunkand beating their wives – yet when they were sober they were the finest men you could think of.
“The experience I had in those days taughtmethat alcohol was dangerous and something to be avoided.”
Meirion says...
10:35am Sat 23 Jun 12
For those that remember Dinefwr Planning decisions being "considered" at the White Hart, it would not be unreasonable to believe perhaps there may possibly plans afoot to rejuvinate this local heritage and further possibilities towards a trend to expand back door dealings and decision making at such thirst quenching venues.
Perhaps, and I repeat perhaps, “That way you’d get different types of people coming along,” as suggested by Cllr Gunter.