Scrumbled eggs
Graham Ford • Published 30 Sep 2011 09:30
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AN off-the ball bobby hasn't managed to tackle the cousin of Scotland's most capped rugby player.
Local police inspector John Scott attempted to stop Scott Paterson and his regulars at the Auld Mill in Galashiels from cheering on the Scots against England on Saturday - arguably our biggest game in recent history.
Paterson, who is cousin of 108-times-capped Chris, will fling open the doors of his pub for fans to enjoy a breakfast tipple during the World Cup showdown.
But he had to get through the defensive line of Lothian and Borders Police first.
The early morning opening was subject to an extension application under the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005, considered last Friday.
Inspector Scott told the meeting: "I concede that the matches involving Scotland would constitute a special event under the spirit of the Act but cannot accept that any match, other than the final, would constitute such a special event.
"All matches are to be broadcast by ITV television and therefore viewing of the event is not exclusive to licensed premises."
The top cop also hit out at the extension application, which included the offer of a breakfast for each of his punters ahead of kick off.
Inspector Scott added: "The applicant has stated he will provide breakfast rolls, but as the premises does not have kitchen facilities I would question how substantial the breakfasts may be.
"In considering the Protecting and Improving Public Health licensing objective the police cannot support the early opening of licensed premises without good reason."
But the protests to the licensing referees at Scottish Borders Council fell on deaf ears.
And local members backed the bid to bring Scotland's biggest match to the Auld Mill regulars.
Paterson told us: "I am glad that the Scottish Borders councillors supported our application.
"This is going to be a huge weekend for Scottish rugby, and as always we are looking to do our best to cater for our customers' requests.
"Hopefully we will have the same level of interest in the competition next weekend if Scotland can do the business against England."
Now dozens of breakfast boozers in the Auld Mill will be hoping England end up with egg on their faces following the clash in New Zealand.
The match kicks off on Saturday morning at 8.30 - with the Auld Mill opening half an hour earlier.
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