by Silva Payne

Created on: September 20, 2009

There was a time, not so long ago, when if you asked for directions in England you would be given a list of pubs to look out for along the way. The British pub (or to give it the correct name, public house) has been a significant feature of the landscape for centuries. From the humble beginnings of individuals brewing alcohol and distributing it amongst friends, to the large brewery giants that exist today with chains of pubs across the country, consumption of alcohol in a social setting has been a traditional part of the British way of life.

While alcohol is commonly consumed in private homes and at community functions in Britain, the local pub is a focus of many community activities. In rural areas, some pubs have taken on the role of Post Office as the village shops close, turning part of the bar or a side room into a part-time Post Office. Pubs have acted as doctors' surgeries and polling stations, have been the meeting place of political radicals and artistic movers and shakers.

Pubs are the social heart of any community. Where in some countries this position would be filled by the church, or possibly the school, in Britain it is the pub that is prominent. Usually pubs stand in a central location, to one side of a village green or along the main thoroughfare. They occupy relatively large buildings in comparison to those businesses and houses around them. They also employ several members of the community, sometimes more than any other single business in the immediate area. Because of the inner fixtures and fittings, most pubs have operated as such for many years although today many are being sold and converted into residential accommodation. It is rare now for a house to become a pub in Britain.

Pubs are usually intricately involved in the calendar of activities in the surrounding community. In rural areas, the social calendar is often centred on the pub itself, with regular quiz nights, beer festivals, live music entertainment and sporting tournaments. Even in urban areas, the promotion of quizzes, karaoke and indoor sports is key to the entertainment available to residents. In areas where several pubs exist, competition between them can be fierce not only for trade but in any sporting or community events that require team participation. Village and town carnivals often rely on the pubs to enter floats and host the evening entertainment and refreshments.

For local sports teams, sponsorship is often the enabling factor in allowing them to have a team

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