Golf Club Sunday licence

One of the joys of sitting on the Licencing Board - as I did for 4 years - was to read the various objections to licencing applications and to try to draw some coherence from the more 'green pen' letters that were received.

The re-application by the Golf Club for a Sunday Licence has resulted in four objections, three of which are detailed on Hebrides News; and all which seem to have a religious flavour.

Unfortunately for the objectors, they seem to have got their knickers in a twist over what there objections really are, and as a consequence they seem to undermine each other.

The Free Church Continuing warns that Stornoway suffers from alcohol fuelled violence and criminal behaviour.

They say that shut pubs on Sundays gives families with an alcoholic parent some sober relief on one day a week.

The church fears people could buy a carryout to drink it, outwith the control of the club, in the surrounding tree-secluded vicinity, possibly leading to anti-social conduct.

With seven licenced premises already open in Stornoway on a Sunday, giving "sober relief on one day a week" is a ludicrous aspiration, as an alcoholic will obtain drink if they want it almost regardless of the day or time.

Indeed a walk through the Castle grounds early in the morning on a Sunday and there is often a dawn patrol quaffing a mix of Special Brew and White Cider, even without the Golf Club being open.

The more cerebral objection comes from an individual:

Murdo Murray who was an independent Christian candidate in the general election, argues it presents temptation to people enjoying a walk in the Castle Grounds on a Sunday afternoon and that there is more than sufficient licensed premises opened on Sundays in Stornoway.

This objection reflects the reality on a Stornoway Sunday and addresses the grounds of over-provision, which is one of the aspect that the Board can genuinely take into account in coming to a conclusion.

Whilst not doubting the sincerity of any of the objectors, the approach of the LDOS suggests that they perhaps inhabit a parallel universe where watching golf on TV automatically results in attempted infanticide.

Rev Donald Macdonald for the LDOS is concerned it would result in drunks disturbing strollers in the surrounding scenic Castle Grounds and create more crime and disorder.

He suggests that showing televised sports in licensed premises exposes "children to violent behaviour and abusive behaviour" with an knock-on risk of domestic abuse and reduced family quality time.

He stressed: "The increased temptation for parents to spend their time in the golf club will cause untold harm to their children."

Can I suggest that the Golf Club deal with the LDOS applications by ensuring that a Family Licence is applied for, as the Licencing Board policy is very clear on how this would work.

30.2 The Board wishes to see family friendly premises thriving in the Islands Area; it would welcome applications from those who wish to operate licensed premises which will accommodate children. In determining any such application the risk of harm to children will be paramount.

There you go Rev MacDonald, the Board believe that taking the kids into licenced premises is A Good Thing, as it improves the quality of the premises, demystifies alcohol for the kids, and ensures that the children are protected.

As anyone who has been in an English family pub beer garden will testify, it can be entriely normal for a family to eat, drink and socialise together on a Sunday without the Police in full riot gear being required.