Wetherspoon News Winter 2016/17
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your free magazine | winter 2016/17 UK EDITION TheThe Ale EditionEdition READ BY 2 MILLION CUSTOMERS MORNING HAS BROKEN? HUNDREDS OF HERE’S HOW TO FIX IT YEARS’ HISTORY Our breakfast menu offers something for everyone £2m redevelopment of The Castle Hotel, in Ruthin, Wales ADVENTURES WITH GRAPE AND GRAIN GIVE A WETHERSPOON GIFT Gins, rums, vodkas and three special wines Find the perfect pressie while you enjoy a perfect pint will help you to celebrate the season Wetherspoon News and Pub-Finder Order & Pay Now available from the App Store Now available from and on Google PlayTM. the App Store. WETHERSPOON gift card NEW BUY HERE TODAY Purchase with cash or card. Debit Gift cards are redeemable in all of our pubs, for food and drinks, and at our hotels, for accommodation. TIM’S VIEWPOINT Power to the people – not the mouthy few The evidence of history is that undemocratic organisations, like the EU, eventually make a hash of it Leave The founders of the American Most people accept the The UK’s Electoral Reform constitution would surely have referendum result and this THE PROMISE Society, dedicated to improving been astounded that such promise from the leaders of David Cameron and George Osborne, democracy and accountability, an inferior and undemocratic the remain side, but a cabal of on behalf of the government, spent was neutral on whether the UK legal system could have politicians and elite groups is £9 million to send a pro-Remain should stay in, or leave, the EU. been invented by European fighting to overturn the leaflet to 18 million UK households However, its investigation of technocrats more than decision – or to water it on 6 April 2016. Under the headline the EU system concluded that 200 years later. down so much that we ‘A once-in-a-generation decision’, there was a ‘serious democratic remain subject to most EU it stated: Chaos ‘(The referendum) is deficit’ in EU institutions. laws in future. your decision. The government Now, economic chaos reigns will implement what It made several recommendations, in southern Europe, with Power you decide.’ none of which appears to Greece, Portugal and Spain The fascinating question is have been implemented. labouring under youth why these highly educated unemployment of up to people are so intent on When you look back on 50 per cent, with an adult remaining part of an the 20th century, it’s level of 20 per cent or more. undemocratic and economically shocking to contemplate Greece, for example, has lost chaotic organisation. the economic mayhem, control of its budget, as well poverty and bloodshed The sad reality is that the as its interest rates – the main for which undemocratic Why would current battle for democracy economic levers of any and totalitarian régimes has echoes of similar battles anyone want to democratic government. were responsible. in previous centuries. Democratic accountability in We can contrast, as mentioned reduce the level Those in charge almost the EU is woefully poor in other here before, the meteoric rise always try to consolidate and economic spheres too. For of formerly undemocratic of democracy increase their power, as the example, EU finances have not countries like Italy, Japan or suffragettes knew. in Europe? been properly audited for over Singapore, once democracy Certain sections of society, 20 years, an unthinkable and was introduced. today, feel strongly that it’s chaotic state of affairs for any better for power to reside in We can also compare the responsible organisation. stunning success of highly educated elites, closely Just imagine the justified democratic North America, in connected to big business, furore, if a company like the last century, with the dire The EU limps on, with its five to major universities and Wetherspoon went even one performance of South unelected presidents, helped to influential politicians – year without audited accounts America, bedevilled by by 28 unelected ‘les énarques’, as our – yet the EU gets away with undemocratic and dictatorial ‘commissioners’. Even the EU French friends call them. 20 years, almost without régimes, or the stunning parliament is dysfunctional, They deeply mistrust the idea comment: ‘the insolence of success and freedoms of since it cannot instigate its of democratic rule by the ‘man office’, as Shakespeare termed pre-unification West Germany, own legislation, a key on the Clapham omnibus’. this sort of arrogant behaviour. compared with undemocratic democratic prerequisite – The evidence of history is that As we all know, the UK East Germany; similarly, the legislation can be instigated undemocratic organisations, parliament voted by an rise of South Korea, to by commissioners only, like the EU, eventually make overwhelming majority of become one of the world’s believe it or not. a hash of it, as we’re now six to one to empower the richest countries, versus its Another example relates to seeing in southern Europe. electorate to decide in a catastrophic northern sibling. decisions of the EU’s Supreme referendum whether the UK Even so, the desire to take Democracy is economic Court which override the laws should remain in the EU. power away from the people steroids, yet, for all of its faults, of national parliaments, and to subvert the referendum “The government will it also creates far higher levels including our own, for which result has religious intensity implement what you decide,” of freedom and human rights there is no democratic redress. for many non-democrats in promised a pro-remain than undemocratic régimes. If the democratically elected UK our society. document sent by the So, why would anyone want parliament dislikes a decision of government, in April, to every The next few crucial months to reduce the level of our own courts, it can legislate household in the land. will determine the outcome democracy in Europe? That’s to change the law. No such of this bitter battle. the big question for UK and mechanism exists for correcting Tim Martin European citizens today. decisions of the EU court. Chairman jdwetherspoon.com | Winter 2016/17 | Wetherspoon 3 WIN! Also PRIZE CROSSWORD P81 INSIDE FEATURES I THINK, THEREFORE I DRINK… ........... 12 Ben McFarland and Tom Sandham, aka The Thinking Drinkers, look at the history of the world – through the bottom of a pint glass TIDE TO POWER OUR FUTURE ............. 19 Those unceasing tides are being harnessed to give Britons clean electricity and skilled jobs 12, 21, 22-24, 26-27, 56, 82 HISTORY IN THE HERE AND NOW .........20 19 The Ale Edition A new project to highlight the history of our pubs The Ale Edition IMPORT THE BREWER ..................................... 21 Our innovation of bringing international ale artisans to Britain sets tongues wagging – and tingling GOOD BEER GUIDE ............................................. 25 THE REGULAR STUFF Our pints propel us to the pinnacle TIM’S VIEWPOINT ....................................................3 LOTS OF BRITISH HOPS ................................ 26 Our autumn real-ale festival delivered YOUR SAY ..........................................................................6 an extravaganza of great British brewing MEET THE BREWER ........................................... 56 BEER FESTIVAL ...................................................... 28 ............................................................ The 2016 Wetherspoon beer festival judging event COMPETITION 81 IT’S AWFUL COLD UP ON THE CAMRA’S BAR TALK .......................................... 82 MORAL HIGH GROUND .....................................31 Says Paul Chase NOW OPEN JOY FOR HAGGIS ..................................................34 Neeps, tatties and Edinburgh Castle Ale on menu WETHERSPOON HAS OPENED MORE during Burns’ Week NEW PUBS IN RECENT MONTHS ...... 36 FILL UP WITH WINTER FUEL ................. 47 34 52 Your local Wetherspoon brightens even the darkest and drabbest of dreary winter days OUR PEOPLE AND ADVENTURES WITH COMMUNITIES GRAPE AND GRAIN ............................................ 52 Gins, rums, vodkas and three special wines will help COMMUNITY ...............................................................30 you to celebrate the season OUR PEOPLE ...............................................................32 ............... GIVE A WETHERSPOON GIFT 58 ................................................................... Find the perfect pressie for your parents, paramour BIRTHDAYS 78 or progeny, while you enjoy a perfect pint HUNDREDS OF YEARS’ HISTORY ...... 62 OUR CHARITY Our £2m redevelopment of The Castle Hotel CLIC SARGENT ........................................................40 MORNING HAS BROKEN? ..........................64 Our breakfast menu offers something for everyone Written and edited by Eddie Gershon, along with welcome contributions from Wetherspoon staff. HOT STUFF IN THE GRATE… Artwork by The Purple Agency for design and digital editions. AND ON THE PLATE .......................................... 68 Print production by Adare International. Real fires and real food complement each other perfectly Proofreading by Future Perfect. Using paper from sustainable resources, this is printed in the UK. in our real pubs this winter All J D Wetherspoon food and drink in this magazine is subject to local licensing restrictions and availability at participating free houses. Photography is for ........ BACK A GUARANTEED WINNER 70 guidance only. J D Wetherspoon PLC reserves the right to withdraw/change Enjoy unbeatable edibles, with our fantastic offers (without notice) at any time.