The sad death of football genius George Best at the early age of 59 through excessive drinking, came ironically just when parliament was permitting longer drinking hours.
History shows that the drink trade was the curse of our nation in the nineteenth century. But largely through the endeavours of Christians, the licensing laws were pushed through parliament. By 1900 “Demon Drink” was being conquered. Millions of children were signing the pledge not to touch alcohol. For some 50 years the streets of our towns were peaceful. Stabbings, rapes, football hooliganism were unknown. Shops were closed on Sundays for rest and worship. Sadly the one thing we learn from history is that we don’t learn from it!