PERHAPS those clamouring to save the Frog Hall pub should have a word with someone in public relations, for the attitude of campaigners will serve only to antagonise large parts of the drinking community.

It appears that, as was the case with the nearby John Bull, the campaigners' main defence will be to attack the pubs and bars preferred by others. Already the landlord of the Frog Hall has used the columns of the Evening Press to have a sly dig at a popular bar in the city centre, while regulars have been trotting out the usual snide clichs about 'real' pubs versus 'plastic' pubs.

CAMRA couldn't help sticking in their six ha'pporth. Perhaps the best thing any so-called 'community pub' under threat can do is to ensure CAMRA keeps out of the picture. Whenever these self-appointed guardians of alcoholic and architectural merit get involved, an elitist macho tone taints proceedings.

A while ago, before the present licensee at Frog Hall was incumbent, a mate of mine who was a member of CAMRA persuaded me to join him for a drink at the Frog Hall.

I asked for a pint of shandy. The barman flatly refused to serve me, not only on the grounds that this would adulterate his wonderful brew, but also because my drink of choice was indicative, so he appeared to think, of dubious sexual orientation.

I wish the Frog Hall supporters all the best. But if they had been a little more tolerant towards the drinking establishments preferred by others, a little less strident about the perceived superiority of 'community pubs' and based their campaign on the need to provide as many different types of pub and bar as there are tastes, their rallying cry would be much more likely to succeed.

J Dalby,

Irwin Avenue,

Heworth, York.

Updated: 10:25 Monday, April 30, 2001