Last Thursday, 8th November saw me travelling up to Blackpool to discuss future events with my father, Eric Mason. The trip was also arranged to see dad's long standing friend, Mixie Walsh, who is currently in a nursing home in Blackpool. We were taken there by a friend of both men...a chap by the name of Hamish Howitt. If anyone has heard of that name recently, its because Hamish runs "The Happy Scot's Bar" in the resort, which has made the national press & tv coverage over his decision to back customers over the national anti-smoking ban implemented this July 1st. I listened to Hamish's reasons for twice being fined, the last one over £2000...and if anyone thinks its just a publicity stunt, or a scam, then I will explain!!
For over 20 years, a certain old soldier has been coming to Blackpool, travelling up from Nottingham by train. This man is also registered "totally blind" and has to be helped between stations. He had also been going to the bar now known as The Happy Scot's Bar, before Hamish took over as landlord.
When the smoking ban came into force on July 1st 2007, Hamish watched this blind man being "jostled" outside the pub by youngsters...then had to watch him another time soaked through & windswept before he decided, enough was enough!
He took him back into the bar, and told him to finish smoking inside.
If you saw where the pub is located..on a corner, with the side of the pub in what can only be described as "a wind-tunnel", the other on a stretch of pavement with no room for an outside shelter (not that the council would allow one so near the road) you see the problem.
I have seen the letters of support from ALL over the UK, with the exception of a few "doughnuts"..who obviously have no idea of the initial reasons behind this campaign, and probably could'nt care unless the government came up with a total ban of drinking ALL alcohol, even in the home, or no more Christmas...hang on, are'nt they trying to ban that??
You carry on Hamish my mate....we need someone in this country with a bit of backbone before the Loony's take over the asylum!!!