My 'local' if that be the nearest public house to my humble abode is the 'Tennis Courts' on Walsall Road. It is so far removed from my perception of what constitutes a pub as to be totally undeserving of the title !!
Yes, it serves beer but thats about the only thing whereby it could be described as a pub. Pool tables - kids - large screens showing football. No character to it whatsoever, its the last place I'd consider attempting to relax in - I would honestly rather sit in the bus shelter further down the road. We have to remember that society has changed beyond all recognition, certainly since i was young - we all yearn for the old days, no one more than I, but you know what ? THEY 'AINT COMING BACK !!!!
I think the problem lies in the fact that peoples expectations nowadays are totally unrealistic. We live in a consumer society where everything seems so superficial and transient - kids grow up bombarded by media representations of what is 'the thing' - people are living in a 'Hello' magazine fantasy with 'celebrities' ( god how i hate that word ! ) the new role models, and youth has progressively bought into the lie.
I know I'm on a rant here which is rapidly going off topic but it is connected really.
The local we are bemoaning the demise of was an integral part of a society which has, to all intents and purposes, vanished. A good old ordinary, working class, society with roots. A nuclear family who ate together, talked together and pulled together - who's expectations were on a level with their income. The only PC the kids knew about was the one who would give them a clip round the ear if they stepped out of line. I could go on forever on this theme but you all KNOW what I'm saying and so back to the original theme - No, the local as we once knew it is taking a last gasp before it flatlines - much like the generation(s) who knew and loved it. When I look at the world today I cant help feeling glad that I'm far nearer the end than the beginning. Anyway, I'm off now to make a cup of tea and a Prozac sandwich !!!