Welcome to Up-to-date News.
News.
21st January 2012...
Over the next few months I will be uploading the News from the 1970s. What was happening in the Scottish License Trade, the daily newspapers.
Can anyone remember the Centre Spot Bar in the Gorbals run by a Mr McFadden around 1970?
In 1970... The death of Mr. Thomas Arbuckle, of Thomas Arbuckle, Cork and closure manufacturers, 646 Govan Road, Glasgow.
Berwickshire Licensed Trade Association Ball. 1970.
Burns Howff, West Regent Street.
News In 1970...
John Carlin the mine host of the Bewcastle Arms Hotel at Coldstream, Berwickshire, Coubcillor John C Carlin has died in Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. He was 45 years of age.
Councillor Carlin was licensee at the Killingworth Arms Hotel, Killingworth, Newcastle before moving to Coldstream 18 months ago.
Mr. Donald (Dan) Campbell 70 years in the trade.
Chess Board, West Regent Street.
Coburg Bar and New Dock Tavern, Leith Dominoes winners. 1970.
Consumption of Wine in Britain in 1970-71.
Cut out Under - age drinking or else.
Dow alastair, future of the "Ben" by the President.
Fruit Machines in Scottish Pubs.
Fruit Machines new procedure.. The Scottish Licensed Trade Association aimed at acquainting the trade with their obligations under the new Gaming Act, which transfers the responsibility for the issue of fruit machine permits from the local authority to the licensing magistrates. The demand by licensees in the Edinburgh area for permission to install fruit machines on their premises had grown so rapidly recently that over 150 applications will come before the licensing magistrates on February 1970. The licensees were determined to make their voices on this issue.
So far no public house in Edinburgh has been granted permission for the machines although practically every club in the area has them. In addition all the smaller authorities surrounding Edinburgh have granted permits to pubs.
A number of the licenses concerned approached the Edinburgh Licensed Trade Association, but the president, Mr. Ian Allan, emphasised that each application would have to be made individually. He also pointed out that each one would be dealt with separately on its own merits by the licensing court.
The total of applications was suddenly swelled by the Edinburgh brewing firms lodging 90 forms on behalf of their public houses. In Glasgow fruit machines are not allowed in public houses. Two years ago the Glasgow and District Licensed Trade Defence Association asked the Corporation to alter a recommendation - in force since 1950 - to allow licensees to apply to the local authority to permission to install fruit machines. The request was turned down.
Up until six years ago only draughts and dominoes were permitted in Glasgow pubs. Then the Glasgow Association were successful in a request for darts to be allowed.
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Glasgow and District Licensed Trade Association have arranged to hold their annual general meeting in the Grosvenor Restaurant, Glasgow, on Tuesday, January, 27, at 10a.m. The annual dinner-dance of the Association will take place also at the Grosvenor, on Thursday, March 12. 1970.
Golder Gates Hotel, Mount Vernon changes name.
Golfing Vintners Big Night Out. 1970.
Grier george, Glasgow's New President. 1970.
A new pub opens "The Jeanie Deans".
Jimmy Hargan publican of the Normal Bar, Cowcaddens is set for a new life at 69.
The Oak Bar on the Gallowgate raises money for shot policeman.
Oriental Bar, City Licensee dies at 67.
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The Peel...
A place which was really booming in 1970 was the "Peel" sited next to Drumchapel Station. It had entertainment six nights a week with Hugh McCallum as resident organist. Jimmy Melville as the M.C. and regular singers, Alex McClusker and Billy Lees.
Rangers Slim Jim Baxter is granted a licence.
Red Lion Inn a pub thats HARD TO SELL.
Royalty Burns Club Bowlers 1970.
Royal Hotel, Debt, Stonehaven.
Runaway Bullock from the Gallowgate.
In 1970. Mr. K Georg Sorensen has retired as technical director of Carlsberg Breweries. Mr. Sorensen, who joined the brewery in 1934, became a director in 1960 and technical director four years later. His successor is Mr. C. C. Holmen, head manager of the brewing department at Carlsberg.
Harry Hood gets the Sherwood Manor Hotel.
The Shire, Hamilton Road, Halfway, Cambuslang.
Stevenson Taylor's loses licence. 1970
In June 1970, the Distillers Company, Ltd., had struck a wage bargain with about 9,000 of their employees which should result in the maintenance of good relations between the management and the workers.
After negotiations conducted over a fairly long period agreement had been reached on the terms of a pact under which members of the Transport and General Workers' Union and the Union of General and Municipal Workers will receive increases of £3 10shillings a week and £2 8 shillings in June 1971.
The agreement, which is subject to the approval of the Department of Employment and Productivity, concerns those working in the bottling and blending departments and in the grain distilleries.
Both unions at delegate meetings approved the new agreement, under which they will accept changes in methods of working and manning based on standard performance as established by work measurement.
There is to be full flexibility between jobs of a none-craft or none-supervisory nature and a new improved job evaluation scheme. As from midnight on Sunday, June 7 1970, men aged 18 and over will get 10 shillings 7 and a quarter pence an hour and women 8 shillings and 5 and a half pence.
Subject to co-operation in improving productivity during the first 12 months of the agreement rates of pay will be further increased as from mid-night on June 6 1971, to give men an hourly rate of 11 shillings 19 and a half pence and women 9 shillings 8 and a quarter pence.
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Licence bids galore in Veto Poll Ward. (Pollokshields)
On 28th February 1970, Applications for 16 licence's in the Pollokshields ward of Glasgow, scene of a recent veto poll which resulted in the whole of the ward going 'WET', are among those which will come before Glasgow Licensing Court at its forthcoming sitting. Four of these applications, under the category of removals of certificates in suspense, are for public houses. They will be the first applications for public houses in the ward to be considered by the court for more than 40 years.
The other 12 applications in the ward are under the category of new certificates. Two of these are for the provisional grants of hotel certificates, both being on behalf of Stakis Holdings, one for 301 St. Albert Drive and the other at 116 St. Andrew's Drive. The remaining ten applications in the ward are for off-sales certificates.
14 of the 16 applications are for the residential area in the ward, the traditionally 'dry' area, and 2 for the housing scheme of Pollok. This housing scheme, although nominally 'wet', had no licence's because of the previous corporation policy of not having licence's on grounds or premises owned by them.
One of the applications for the Pollok scheme is by Mrs Elizabeth Strain, who is applying for the removal of her public house certificate in suspense from 122-24 Cowcaddens Street to 210 Crookston Road. The other, on behalf of the Scottish C0-oprative Retail Services, is for a new off-sales certificate at 20 Broadcast Terrace.
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2 Glasgow Licences Axed in 1970.
The drive against under-age drinking again provided the drama at Glasgow Licensing Court when the magistrates withdrew the licence's of two well known city premises after police complaints.
The premises were the Stevenson Taylor (Glasgow) public house at the corner of Parliamentary Road and Buchanan Street and the Stirrup public house and restaurant at 1055-1061 Sauchiehall Street.
In both instances the Chief Constable Sir James Robertson, objected that the premises were not being conducted in a proper manner. He said that in the Stevenson Taylor premises there had been three cases of under-age drinking involving a youth of 15 and 17 years old youth. The youths were later convicted.
In objecting to the renewal of the licence for the Stirrup, Sir James lodged seven complaints, including two of under-age drinking. The youths concerned, aged 15 and 16, were also later convicted.
The licensees themselves had not been prosecuted.
The court refused to renew the licence for the Stirrup, held by Mrs Helen Byrden. As regards the Stevenson Taylor premises, an application was put before the court for the transfer of the licence from Mr William Brownlee to Matthew E Taylor. The court refused the transfer application and also refused renewal of the licence.
Mr Hugh T McCalman, solicitor, appearing for Mr Brownlie and Mr Taylor, pointed out that Mr Brownlie had been given no opportunity to defend himself in connection with the complaints and said it was wrong to deal with a man as though he had been convicted.
It is a complete defence to the licence-holder to prove that he had no reason to believe that the persons served were under 18, said Mr McCalman. Had Mr Brownlie been prosecuted, this defence would have been available to him. Mr McCalman added that because of the manner in which the police enquiries were conducted, Messrs. Stevenson Taylor had been unable to find out which member of their staff had supplied the drink.
Explaining the steps the firm had taken in an attempt to prevent under-age drinking, Mr McCalman said that in all their shops notices are displayed concerning under-age drinking, and that there are notices in the windows to the effect that anyone under 21 will not be permitted entry
Mr McCalman also told the court that the premises concerned had been in the Taylor family for over 100 years and that at no time had there been a licensing prosecution.
Asking for the licence to be renewed and for its transfer to Mr Taylor, Mr McCalman said that the form Stevenson Taylor was owned by the trustees of the late Edward Taylor, and in order to wind up the trust they were disposing of the assets.
Mr McCalman also explained that the business for Messrs. Stevenson Taylor and that Mr Brownlie, secretary of the firm, concurred in the transfer. Mr Brownlie deeply regretted the complaint, coming as it did when his connection with the firm was being severed.
In all, the police objected to 23 applications, mainly to renewals of licence's. Several of the complaints related to the supply of drinks out with permitted hours.
Whyte & MacKay, Whisky Vintage Car Cartons. 1970.
News 1971
A five-day holiday in Majorca for two this winter... that is the first prize in a talent contest which has just got under way in a Glasgow hotel.
In addition there are cash prizes for the second and third in the contest, which is being held on Thursday evenings in the Aquarius Room at the Charing Cross Hotel.
The contest is open to all types of entertainers: in fact the more varied the better. Unfortunately, however, because of the time involved in setting up on stage, groups are excluded. However for fire-eaters, belly dancers, jugglers, comedians, or ventriloquists there is plenty of room on the stage.
Billy Jeffreys, who fronts the popular Bards, is organsing, running, and compering the contest and promises that there will be a panel of expert judges for the final stages. Billy is resident in the Aquarius Room at the hotel every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and lately he has been doing a drag act on the Saturday night shows. I haven't caught the drag bit yet, but I hear it is a loty of Fun.
Anyone interested in going in for the contest should go along on Thursdays and give Billy a note of his name... and he will see to the rest. Come to think of it, for a winter week in Majorca I'm tempted to enter myself.
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Anyone got a spare pianola in his attic? If so Mr Harris Park, manager of the Duke of Wellington at 316 Argyle Street, Glasgow, would like to hear from him. Mr Harris has experimented with live entertainment in his lounge, but not with a great deal of success, probably because the place is unsuited to it.
He feels, however, that a pianola would fit in perfectly with the atmosphere at the Duke of Wellington. He promises to make sure the instrument is realy well looked after and will be returned to the owner on request. Over and above that he is willing to pay up to £1 a week for the use of it.
Pianolas were a tremendous vogue at one time, so there must be plenty of them about gathering dust. If anyone wants to make some money out of his, now is the chance. But, please... don't write to me about it. Get in touch with Mr. Park at any time during licensing hours. He will be more than delighted to hear from you.
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Singer Matt McGowan, who has been out of the club circuit for over a year because of ill health, is now back in circulation again... and singing better than ever. For a bit of fun and to get the feel of singing in public again he entered a talent contest held in the Goldenhill in the Hardgate, and, as if I need say it, walked away with the first prize.
Matt tells me - "The illness had left me a bit shaky, but I have been doing the occasional gig lately and feel that I would like to get fully back into the swing of things again.
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The Ashfield Club in Glasgow will make clubland history this year - by staging their own summer show.
The show - the first of its kind ever to be run in a club in Britain - will last for three or four months, starting sometime in June.
It will have a regular cast of three - Glen Daly, Helen Randell, and Hector Nicol - with a well-known guest act being featured at every weekly change of programme. The board will move to the front of the stage and the whole stage will be used for the productions. Sets and costumes will be hired and there is already sufficient changing-room accommodation. The weekly changes will involve a tremendous amount of script work, but Glen and Hector, with two decades of theatrical experience behind them, should not find too many problems. Hector has been writing scripts for people like Stanley Baxter, Jimmy Logan, Johnny Beattie, Lex McLean and a score of others for several years.
The idea is the brain-child of Jimmy Donald, who runs the Ashfield Club, and Peter de Rance, who books acts into some of the top clubs and theatres in Scotland.
Jimmy tells me that it will take between £600 and £700 a week to stage the shows, which will run four nights a week.
Club Pantomime
Admission will be free to members of the club, although there will be a charge for guests. The club will recoup their outlay by increased business and the sale of meals and drinks. The idea for the summer show came after the club created another "First" by staging their own pantomime. "It was a tremendous success. We ran it for three weeks and had a packed house every night. It could have run for six weeks, but we did not expect much a reception and had other acts booked into the club," said Jimmy.
"The days are gone when clubs could put on a couple of singers and an accordionist. Audiences have been spoiled and become biase. What I always try to do is not keep up with the trends but to be a couple of steps ahead of them," he added. This could be the start of a summer show, a winter show, and a spring one being run in the club.
To say that Jimmy is not doing the variety theatres in Glasgow any favours is the under-statement of the year in this column. In the past Jimmy has given perhaps as much as £5000 a year in business to theatres, and most of it has gone to where it was really needed - first Houses. The variety started off from the pubs and clubs - now in Glasgow it is right back where it started.
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Dinner Dance
The Mount Vernon Hotel, on the outskirts of Glasgow, are staging an attractive-looking dinner dance and caberet on Saturday night. On the bill are Helen Randell, Allan Stewart, and Edinburgh comedian Gary Denis. Helen and Allan are well known to Glasgow audiences. Gary, who does most of his work on the East Coast, was in Glasgow for a time appearing in lunch-time shows at the Charing Cross Hotel. He is one of the best of our younger comedians. The dinner dance starts at about eight o'clock and goes on till 11.30 p.m. Price, 25s.
End.
