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Pub’s annual yard of ale contest scrapped due to concerns it encourages binge drinking
A PUB’S annual yard of ale contest has been scrapped amid concerns it encourages binge drinking.
The competition to see who can down beer the quickest raises funds for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.
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But the charity is concerned it could send out the wrong message.
Yesterday The Sun told how a charity ditched a rugby players’ cross-dressing fundraiser over fears LGBT groups might find it offensive, in Upton, Worcestershire.
Chris Higgs has been yard of ale champion for eight years — with a record of 9.5 seconds at the Cobb Arms in Lyme Regis, Dorset.
He told The Sun: “It’s such a shame. This year it was great to see so many new faces having a go. Let’s hope this isn’t the end of another great Lyme tradition.”
Pub landlord Gary Valentine added: “It has been going for at least ten years and this is the first I’ve heard about it being cancelled.
“I can’t see the logic. It attracts a huge crowd and we have never had any trouble or problems.
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“There’s not many people that manage to drink the whole yard of ale anyway, the majority spill half of it down their shirts.”
Sun man James Somper finished the yard in a pathetic 35 seconds.
He said: “Respect to Chris, it’s a considerable challenge.
"The hardest part is the end when the bottom of the yard cascades towards you like a waterfall. It’s certainly not one to be doing on an empty stomach.”
The RNLI said: “The decision to remove the yard of ale event was made after considering the safety of crowds gathering outside a pub.
“In addition, the RNLI has always been an advocate for responsible use of alcohol on or around water and no longer felt it was appropriate to encourage the consumption of large quantities at an event raising funds for the lifesaving charity.”
The yard is the latest lifeboat week event to be scrapped in the town. In 2006 conger coddling in which locals are slapped with a dead eel was banned after 32 years after complaints of animal cruelty.
And the pram derby, which saw “mothers and babies” race around a course drinking half pints at pubs en route, was cancelled due to health and safety fears.
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One gulp too many
AS a man who knows his Otter ale from his Oranjeboom I thought the yard (2½pints) would be a piece of cake.
How wrong I was, writes James Somper.
My mistake was taking big gulps rather than twisting the glass.
A build up of ale at the base went hurtling towards my gob.
My freshly laundered shirt was soaked, my dignity in bits.
Respect to Chris Higgs for his record. He’s more of a man than me.
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