Copy of letter sent to Leamington Spa Courier 26/06/08 (as yet unpublished). Me causing some political waves with the head of the 'Central Leamington Residents' Association' (note does not include all areas of Central Leamington - just the 'nice' ones). Sir, I am astounded at the reaction to the serving of alcohol at St Nicholas Park. I’m not sure which century some of your readers are living in, but letters you published sounded like a blast from the Leamington Temperance Mission - a mental view of ‘alcohol’ from a postcard of Gin Lane, and a lifetime in front of the Daily Mail. Alcohol does not nor, nor ever has turned decent citizens into violent freaks, and certainly not after one glass of expensive wine with a sandwich. We don’t see the same aggression towards the little bottles M & S sells to go with the sushi, a glass of wine at the theatre or the communion wine on a Sunday. I can’t remember the last time there was a fight after communion. The last time I drank, I went home after a long conversation and a film. Your temperance lot would have me believe that I must have got so drunk I forgot the bottle I threw at the screen, the kids I beat up on the way home. On my way out to work this morning, I must have missed the vomit trail to my bed! Anyone who wants to get drunk can carry as much alcohol as they like into the park anyway. Supplying in the park is not going to make a blind bit of difference to who is wasted and who isn’t. Personally I think this country needs more sensible examples of drinking and less of the freaking out. After all, when kids only see drinking as falling about and swearing – why do we wonder that this is what they do when they get their hands on the stuff? ----------- What some people think will happen...