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-   -   Soldier refused service in Witney pub . . . because he was in uniform (https://www.pprune.org/military-aviation/396461-soldier-refused-service-witney-pub-because-he-uniform.html)

steamchicken 20th Nov 2009 18:00

I would guess the pub staff had been told not to serve "u18s or police officers on duty" - which is what it says in the Licensing Act - and they ad libbed from that.

Neptunus Rex 20th Nov 2009 18:38

Sly Grog
 
In Australia, if drinking in Pubs in uniform on Anzac Day were to be outlawed, there would be a revolution!

http://www.augk18.dsl.pipex.com/Smileys/beer3.gif

Double Zero 20th Nov 2009 19:01

In the late 1980's, self and a BAe colleague visited an apparently pleasant pub in Guildford, Surrey.

The service ( by Irish staff, what a coincidence ) was appalling, and despite the place being virtually empty we were asked to move so that a more profitable family could have our seats, placing us on uncomfortable seats by a draughty open door, with no view.

On the way out via a different door, we saw a sign, " NO Forces Personnel served here ".

I still take that to mean anyone young & fit with a short haircut, taking objection to any uniform just being an added bonus.

Guildford is indeed quite a violent town, largely thanks to the surrounding gypsy camps, and several pubs ( some in what would think surprisingly high class areas ) are known as drug supply points run by gypsies, including, I found later, guess where ?

Safe to say that while I am not and never have been directly in the forces, just worked with / for them, if I ever see a pub or shop with a ' no forces ' sign, I take my business elsewhere, having first explained to the nearest thing to a manager possible, why.

BEagle 20th Nov 2009 19:27

There was actually a pretty reasonable Editorial in today's Oxford Mail about this:

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...rnet/zxzxz.jpg

Ban sends out the wrong message

The answer to whether uniformed service personnel should be free to go into pubs is one that must be guided by common sense.

Guardsman Brad Thomas was shocked that he and fellow Grenadier Jimmy Nuttal were refused service when they stopped for lunch in the Cross Keys pub in Witney while recruiting in the town.

The pub was under the impression RAF Brize Norton had issued an edict that personnel in uniform should not be served. While this is not true, more general guidance is againt going into a pub in uniform unless it is connected to an event such as a wedding or a funeral.

But it must be a case of degrees.

A large group of service personnel on a night out would potentially attract trouble, and so you can appreciate military chiefs' desire to play safe.
But two men out recruiting and looking for lunch and a soft drink in the middle of the day is surely a different proposition.

One of the cores justifying our current conflicts is to preserve our freedoms. If our servicement are not free to pop into a pub for lunch without fearing that their uniforms will attract aggression, then what freedoms are we fighting for?

And what type of message did this episode send to those potential recruits the two guardsmen were speaking to who then saw them turned away for wearing the uniform of their own country?

vecvechookattack 20th Nov 2009 19:46

There is of course a very good reason why the MOD ban the wearing of Uniform in a Public house.

Chugalug2 20th Nov 2009 20:18

R O G:

...those of us who remember the Gut, HK, and Bugis St are right!!
Well indeed, but as the latter was Out of Bounds, to appear there in Uniform would merely have been adding fuel to the fire. The result would inevitably have been that well practiced dramatic scenario in which Snowdrop intones with Puritanical solemnity; "In which establishment I encountered the accused, whom I now recognise. He stated that I could buy my own, or words to that effect. I then proceeded to caution him whereupon he announced that his companion was both a lady and a very dear friend".

Mr C Hinecap 20th Nov 2009 20:54


Could you explain further Mr H? Is this your real world we are talking about or do we all share in it? Is the real world one of fun, fear, excitement, danger and responsibility or is it a proscribed socialists ideal where our "masters " know best?
I'm talking about the world of being in a position of responsibility. I'm talking about something like being a Flight Commander in charge of a flight of young men and women. I'm talking about young and impressionable and occasionally daft lads and lasses who get into the poo when out and about drinking. They do that quite a bit you know. These days. The last place we want them drinking in uniform is off camp.

Two's in 20th Nov 2009 20:58


Why is it always assumed that men in uniform go into a pub, with the sole intention of getting drunk? A most bigoted view in my opinion.
Hardly an outlandish conclusion, given that's what the general population seem intent on doing every time they enter a Public House.


Guildford is indeed quite a violent town, largely thanks to the surrounding gypsy camps, and several pubs ( some in what would think surprisingly high class areas ) are known as drug supply points run by gypsies, including, I found later, guess where ?
I think you'll find Guildford was a violent town due to Jerry Adams and Martin McGuinness's mates blowing up two feckin pubs in the 1974 killing 4 squaddies (two WRAC) and a civilian. Hence the sign I would guess.

x213a 20th Nov 2009 21:11

Never had any problems when based at Drake and nipping across the road to the pub in rig at lunchtimes.

racedo 20th Nov 2009 21:56


A large group of service personnel on a night out would potentially attract trouble,
And could probably handle it themselves reasonably well.

Roland Pulfrew 20th Nov 2009 22:03


vecvechookattack There is of course a very good reason why the MOD ban the wearing of Uniform in a Public house.
And it is......................?

When I joined in the early 80s no-one used to bat an eyelid if you went into a pub and had a couple of beers in uniform. In fact you were positively welcomed. Oh how things have changed. Mind you I blame these two for drinking in Witney, should have gone to Burford, Clanfield, Bampton or any of the Wychwoods!! Much nicer!!;)

BEagle 21st Nov 2009 07:34

As the recruiting display was in Market Square, the nearest place to have a bite of lunch was probably the Cross Keys.

Hardly unreasonable for them to pop in for a quick snack, in my opinion.

The Oxford Mail's editorial was quite reasonable, I thought.

I agree with your assessment of other Cotswold watering holes though, Roly! Incidentally, the infamous Osprey in Soweto has been closed for years now and is slowly falling apart. A pity that, although Defence Estates have cleared most of the seedy 'crack houses', eyesores such as the Osprey and the disused petrol station next to it remain such blots on the landscape.

im from uranus 21st Nov 2009 08:39


Incidentally, the infamous Osprey in Soweto has been closed for years now and is slowly falling apart.
When I was last there in March it had totally gone!:D

BEagle 21st Nov 2009 09:46

Compare such nannying nonsense with the US.....

Some years ago, whilst waiting for a bit to arrive for our broken FunBus at McConnell AFB, we were having lunch and a beer in an establishment some of you might know - Hooters :ok:.

Shortly after we arrived, 4 USAF pilots in flight suits entered - they were on a cross-country in a couple of T-37s and had stopped by for lunch. No-one batted an eyelid at this; it seemed to be a normal everyday occurence.

Mind you, I don't know whether the scourge of political correctness would allow such things nowadays.....:uhoh:

Mr C Hinecap 21st Nov 2009 10:36


A pedant would point out that, this includes any premises where the sale of alcohol is licensed, including many supermarkets.

ALWAYS assume NEVER check
Actually - someone who had worked in the industry would tell you that licensed premises are where alcohol could be purchased AND consumed rather than just purchased. In old money, one is an 'on' license and the other an 'off' license. Thanks for calling.


Out of interest - how many of the hand-wringing permissives on this thread have actually been commanders of flights or squadrons of non-flying airmen and women?

goudie 21st Nov 2009 10:55


Out of interest - how many of the hand-wringing permissives on this thread have actually been commanders of flights or squadrons of non-flying airmen and women
Why the interest?

pr00ne 21st Nov 2009 11:34

Double Zero,

Heh, you missed gays, blacks, Islamists and women in your nasty little prejudiced xenophobic rant!

You clearly know a very different Guildford from the one I spend a considerable amount of time in and around.

Get over your problem with Gypsies!

Ray Dahvectac 21st Nov 2009 11:53


Originally Posted by Mr C Hinecap
Actually - someone who had worked in the industry would tell you that licensed premises are where alcohol could be purchased AND consumed rather than just purchased. In old money, one is an 'on' license and the other an 'off' license. Thanks for calling.

Not so. A premises licence authorises the premises in question to carry out licensable activities. Any business or premises providing one or more of the three licensable activities listed below will need a premises licence:
  • The sale or supply of alcohol.
  • Provision of regulated entertainment
  • Provision of late night refreshment

So no doubt the Fun Police (of which you seem to be OC) could enforce the quoted regulation ("Visits to licensed premises (including when not consuming alcohol), except when specifically approved by the Chain of Command.") in the case of someone popping into Sainsburys to do a bit of shopping on the way home without a note from their Flight Commander.

ETA: Sorry, forgot to say ... Thank you for calling.

Two's in 21st Nov 2009 13:38


we were having lunch and a beer in an establishment some of you might know - Hooters .
Beagle, you were obviously just there for their world famous curly fries...

GOLF_BRAVO_ZULU 21st Nov 2009 14:08


Originally Posted by pr00ne
Get over your problem with Gypsies!

All hints and tips on that would be gratefully accepted. If you could also get back the stuff they have "acquired", the CFI of my flying club would be very grateful.


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