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> Meet the man who said it wasn't worth coming back to Newbury, Ref today's story
Chris Pascoe
post Jun 25 2009, 09:30 AM
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Hi, I'm the 'beer swilling' author who apparently hates Newbury! Can I firstly say that the Pub signing has had to be cancelled due to a bereavement. The main reason I'm posting though, is just to answer Liam's comments. Every possible negative has been taken from the book's chapters on Newbury, and every positive ignored. For example - The Old Bell. Liam forgets to mention that, whilst it wasn't my cup of tea and I said so; in the book my companion says he really likes it and stays for three pints. Neither did I say there was anything permanently wrong with the toilets - just that they'd had a bad day, which was probably more to do with somebody's bowels than any fault of the pub.

And the Hare & Hounds got a very complimentary write-up, but Liam missed that too, dwelling on a true comment the barmaid made, in order to give the impression I'm slating everybody and everything. In fact, every pub that got a good review (which was most) is ignored, and every pleasant remark I made about the area is omitted. Also, if the chapter is read properly - much more fun is poked at me than at anybody else.

I made ONE jokey aside about Newbury in a book that's very tongue-in-cheek and not meant to be taken in the way Liam's taken it...and it's used to create a 'news' story. Even the 'beer swilling' title is a little misleading , considering I'm drinking diet coke and coffee through most of the chapters. This is the sort of unbalanced, tabloid-style reporting that belongs in the gutter-press, not a respected local newspaper. Got ambitions in that direction Liam?
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Jobet
post Jun 25 2009, 09:37 AM
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It looks to me as if someone has got the wrong end of the stick.The book should be reviewed showing the good points as well as the ones that seem to be getting up the nose of some local people. blink.gif blink.gif
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Gumbo
post Jun 25 2009, 09:44 AM
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QUOTE (Chris Pascoe @ Jun 25 2009, 10:30 AM) *
Hi, I'm the 'beer swilling' author who apparently hates Newbury! Can I firstly say that the Pub signing has had to be cancelled due to a bereavement. The main reason I'm posting though, is just to answer Liam's comments. Every possible negative has been taken from the book's chapters on Newbury, and every positive ignored. For example - The Old Bell. Liam forgets to mention that, whilst it wasn't my cup of tea and I said so; in the book my companion says he really likes it and stays for three pints. Neither did I say there was anything permanently wrong with the toilets - just that they'd had a bad day, which was probably more to do with somebody's bowels than any fault of the pub.

And the Hare & Hounds got a very complimentary write-up, but Liam missed that too, dwelling on a true comment the barmaid made, in order to give the impression I'm slating everybody and everything. In fact, every pub that got a good review (which was most) is ignored, and every pleasant remark I made about the area is omitted. Also, if the chapter is read properly - much more fun is poked at me than at anybody else.

I made ONE jokey aside about Newbury in a book that's very tongue-in-cheek and not meant to be taken in the way Liam's taken it...and it's used to create a 'news' story. Even the 'beer swilling' title is a little misleading , considering I'm drinking diet coke and coffee through most of the chapters. This is the sort of unbalanced, tabloid-style reporting that belongs in the gutter-press, not a respected local newspaper. Got ambitions in that direction Liam?


The Old Bell and The Hare & Hounds, two of the finest pubs in Newbury.......how could you wink.gif

Also by not liking pubs, and let me tell you there quite a few rotten ones in Newbury, how does that make you a Newbury hater? are pubs the quality measure of the town nowadays?
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AmieB
post Jun 25 2009, 09:50 AM
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QUOTE (Chris Pascoe @ Jun 25 2009, 10:30 AM) *
Hi, I'm the 'beer swilling' author who apparently hates Newbury! Can I firstly say that the Pub signing has had to be cancelled due to a bereavement. The main reason I'm posting though, is just to answer Liam's comments. Every possible negative has been taken from the book's chapters on Newbury, and every positive ignored. For example - The Old Bell. Liam forgets to mention that, whilst it wasn't my cup of tea and I said so; in the book my companion says he really likes it and stays for three pints. Neither did I say there was anything permanently wrong with the toilets - just that they'd had a bad day, which was probably more to do with somebody's bowels than any fault of the pub.

And the Hare & Hounds got a very complimentary write-up, but Liam missed that too, dwelling on a true comment the barmaid made, in order to give the impression I'm slating everybody and everything. In fact, every pub that got a good review (which was most) is ignored, and every pleasant remark I made about the area is omitted. Also, if the chapter is read properly - much more fun is poked at me than at anybody else.

I made ONE jokey aside about Newbury in a book that's very tongue-in-cheek and not meant to be taken in the way Liam's taken it...and it's used to create a 'news' story. Even the 'beer swilling' title is a little misleading , considering I'm drinking diet coke and coffee through most of the chapters. This is the sort of unbalanced, tabloid-style reporting that belongs in the gutter-press, not a respected local newspaper. Got ambitions in that direction Liam?


I dont think the Hare and Hounds review was false anyway from what I've witnessed from being in there once laugh.gif

There is always 2 sides to every story so its nice to hear your side of things. Maybe Liam could review his article?
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TallDarkAndHands...
post Jun 25 2009, 10:25 AM
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I have never met you, nor yet read your book, but its obvious to me that you are a NEWBURY HATER!!!!!!
How dare you criticise the rancid, putrid sick covered, fag end littered, green goblin ticketing town that we all love.

Still all this is good publicity for your book. wink.gif
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Solly
post Jun 25 2009, 11:02 AM
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I certainly don't agree with what Chris has written about Newbury. He has blatantly published something defamatory about someone's business. He may have said a few good things, but that is beside the point. He could be ruining someone's livelihood. It's disgusting and he's only back tracking now and blaming the reporter concerned because he has no other option but to. You wrote that, plain and simple.
Newbury is a lovely town. I've lived all over the UK and I think people here should appreciate what they've got. The problem with people today is that they are never satisfied with anything. Stop complaining or move somewhere else.
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Gumbo
post Jun 25 2009, 11:06 AM
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QUOTE (Solly @ Jun 25 2009, 12:02 PM) *
I certainly don't agree with what Chris has written about Newbury. He has blatantly published something defamatory about someone's business. He may have said a few good things, but that is beside the point. He could be ruining someone's livelihood. It's disgusting and he's only back tracking now and blaming the reporter concerned because he has no other option but to. You wrote that, plain and simple.
Newbury is a lovely town. I've lived all over the UK and I think people here should appreciate what they've got. The problem with people today is that they are never satisfied with anything. Stop complaining or move somewhere else.


So you are saying that if somebody has a bad experience with a service, and pubs do provide a service, then you should not say anything for fear of jeopardising someone's business. I look forward to more and more rubbish pubs and shops popping up everywhere then.
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GMR
post Jun 25 2009, 11:09 AM
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QUOTE (Gumbo @ Jun 25 2009, 12:06 PM) *
So you are saying that if somebody has a bad experience with a service, and pubs do provide a service, then you should not say anything for fear of jeopardising someone's business. I look forward to more and more rubbish pubs and shops popping up everywhere then.



People go by their own experiences and not rely on what a certain book/ article says or doesn't say. However, people should have the right to criticise. It is only through criticism we can improve things.
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Gumbo
post Jun 25 2009, 11:18 AM
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QUOTE (GMR @ Jun 25 2009, 12:09 PM) *
People go by their own experiences and not rely on what a certain book/ article says or doesn't say.


That is not an entirely true statement GMR, people often use books/articles to help guide them in areas they are unfamiliar. True it is good to experience things for yourself but with so much choice on offer it is sometimes handy to refer to somebody elses experiences.
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GMR
post Jun 25 2009, 11:22 AM
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QUOTE (Gumbo @ Jun 25 2009, 12:18 PM) *
That is not an entirely true statement GMR, people often use books/articles to help guide them in areas they are unfamiliar. True it is good to experience things for yourself but with so much choice on offer it is sometimes handy to refer to somebody elses experiences.



Fair point. I suppose there are a certain amount of people who reply on such information to help guide them.
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Gumbo
post Jun 25 2009, 11:24 AM
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QUOTE (GMR @ Jun 25 2009, 12:22 PM) *
Fair point. I suppose there are a certain amount of people who reply on such information to help guide them.


quick edit the word reply before Bill1 spots it wink.gif
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Chris Pascoe
post Jun 25 2009, 11:56 AM
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QUOTE (Solly @ Jun 25 2009, 12:02 PM) *
I certainly don't agree with what Chris has written about Newbury. He has blatantly published something defamatory about someone's business. He may have said a few good things, but that is beside the point. He could be ruining someone's livelihood. It's disgusting and he's only back tracking now and blaming the reporter concerned because he has no other option but to. You wrote that, plain and simple.


Can I just reiterate that, while I admitted I didn't personally like the Old Bell and gave some harsh opinions on it, I also said that my companion did like it. I also complimented most of the pubs I visited. The fact that the journalist chose to take only the bad comments about particular pubs, and totally ignore the good comments, and then report that unbalanced view to the whole of Newbury, is unfair on the pubs concerned, unfair on me, and more far-reaching and damaging than anything I could've managed.

I've since phoned Trish at the Old Bell and apologised for any offence I may have caused. My observations were made two years ago and were honest at the time. The pub is now under different management and been completely refurbished. I've also been told that the pub receives lots of compliments these days. The book isn't exactly a pub guide anyway - it's a comedy about the English Civil War and involves a pub crawl. My views were just my honest views at the time.
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Guest_Bill1_*
post Jun 25 2009, 01:06 PM
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QUOTE (Gumbo @ Jun 25 2009, 12:24 PM) *
quick edit the word reply before Bill1 spots it wink.gif



laugh.gif laugh.gif laugh.gif
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Iommi
post Jun 25 2009, 01:16 PM
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Chris Pascoe, I think you have little to answer for, most pubs I have visited in Newbury are either over priced or have filthy toilets, sometimes both.
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Guest_Bill1_*
post Jun 25 2009, 01:21 PM
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QUOTE (Iommi @ Jun 25 2009, 02:16 PM) *
Chris Pascoe, I think you have little to answer for, most pubs I have visited in Newbury are either over priced or have filthy toilets, sometimes both.


But we tolerate them because they are all we've got.
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TallDarkAndHands...
post Jun 25 2009, 01:44 PM
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QUOTE (Bill1 @ Jun 25 2009, 02:21 PM) *
But we tolerate them because they are all we've got.



And if you tolerate this then your children will be next........
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Guest_Bill1_*
post Jun 25 2009, 01:52 PM
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QUOTE (TallDarkAndHandsome @ Jun 25 2009, 02:44 PM) *
And if you tolerate this then your children will be next........



Good song!......and you're probably right too.
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Guest_Newbury Carnival_*
post Jun 25 2009, 02:48 PM
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QUOTE (Chris Pascoe @ Jun 25 2009, 12:56 PM) *
Can I just reiterate that, while I admitted ..


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