THE Ampleforth Arms campaign is classic ‘get on the bandwagon’ stuff. The letter from Margaret Taylor (who I know of course) is typical of those who now want to know what they have long lost.

It’s a pity more of the residents of the estate didn’t previously support the pub regardless of whether their tipple was a fruit juice or alcohol.

Referring specifically to the letter from Margaret Taylor; Jack and Warnie rarely visited the pub together. However, Jack and J R R Tolkien often enjoyed a pint together in the back room ‘alone’.

As a former landlord, I do feel qualified to comment especially as the experience cost me dearly financially.

I didn’t mention the number of any house in Ringwood Road, but Warnie lived there for a while, so who is wrong now and as for the community spirit I suspect the activity is based on the question ‘what can we turn the old pub into next’ rather than it being a pub.

In truth the spirit is where it should be, behind the bar in the Ampleforth so why not support it and it wouldn’t need to close, would it?

It was a place for the community, but the majority of the community refused to use it.

In truth had I not mentioned the facts as discussed here, and in my paperback and subsequent ebook on CS Lewis in Oxford as well as an array of pictures on the wall in the pub, it would likely have closed without any attention whatsoever However, my preference is still for developers to create a block of flats to help those in need, rather than pander to the few who sit comfortably, and in reality, probably don’t want change anyway.

RON BRIND
Miller Road
Wheatley