Bar Room Banter: What’s got people talking in Wirral pubs this week

Aug 27 2008 by Matt Hurst, Birkenhead News

mr smith

BAR Room Banter is back, and this week we’re at The Pensby Hotel in Pensby, where manager, Arthur Smith gives his views to Matt Hurst.

Can the London Olympics deliver anything like the show we’ve seen in Beijing?

I’d like to think so but they’ve got a tough act to follow. The opening ceremony was fantastic and the games have gone really well. I think as a nation we’re ambitious and always want to be as good as everybody else.

Do you think A-Levels and GCSEs are getting easier or are pupils simply working harder?

I think it’s a combination of both. The way teachers are being made to teach helps students and as a result they’re getting better grades. But the fact they keep getting better, year on year, does suggest they’re getting slightly easier - nobody’s going to admit that though.

What do you make of Lorraine Rogers decision to quit Tranmere Rovers, saying she’s disillusioned with football?

Everybody knows that football is going like that and it’s becoming all about businessmen and balance sheets. She’s probably got a point, but would she make the same statement if she was in charge of Manchester United?

Are England better or worse under Fabio Capello?

I couldn’t see a great deal of difference when I was watching on Wednesday. Why spend the money on Capello when you may as well have Steve McClaren back in to get the same result.

They’re a team full of eleven egos but it’s been like that for a long time - I suppose it’s a symptom of getting paid £150K a week.

What do you think of Kerry Katona being declared bankrupt?

I couldn’t care less - who’s Kerry Katona?

Weather-wise, is this the worst August you can remember?

I heard last week that it’s the worst since 1912, but we’ve booked the weather for this weekend so we should be all right.

And finally, what’s been the big topic in your pub this week?

The fair we had at the weekend has been the big topic for about the last two months! It’s been quite stressful getting it all together but it’s looking really well and we’ve got loads of families about having a good day. It’s good to do something with the local community.

l Would you like your pub to feature in Bar Room Banter? Call Matt Hurst on 288 7646 or e-mail matt.hurst@wirralnews.co.uk