A long overdue update

Apologies for the recent, deathly silence that has fallen on the blog. I wish I had an appropriate excuse (out battling the fenland ghouls, or out sampling the fenland pubs) but it's work rather than spirits that are to blame.

I may have been quiet of late, but there's no rest for the pub ghosts of England. The lovely Catherine Smith sent me an article last week about a troubled pub in Southsea:

A pub landlady is hoping to enlist the help of an exorcist in order to banish a ghost that insists on topping up customers' glasses.

Janice McCormack, of the Apsley House in Southsea has become increasing vexed at the ghost's machinations.

"It happens when customers pop to the loo or put their pint down for a second," she explained. "When they look back there's an extra inch of beer. It must come from my pumps."

This peculiar spirit with a penchant for spirits first made his presence felt nine months ago. Regulars have nicknamed him Reedy, in honour of the famously thirsty actor Oliver Reed.

"My regulars love it but it is costing me," Mrs McCormack added.

"People are drinking less as their pints are being filled up all the time. My stocktaking figures are all out. We get more customers through the door but it seems to be people expecting a cheap, never-ending pint."

Ms McCormack believes she will need to adopt to a suitably supernatural strategy to rid her premises of the generous ghoul. If a séance doesn't work, she intends to enlist the services of an exorcist.

I can't promise that there'll be such mysterious refills at The Betsey Trotwood, Farringdon on October 30th, but I can promise you that if you come to London that night, you'll find a host of poets reading at the pamphlet launch of 'a pint for the ghost'. I'm launching my tall-lighthouse pamphlet from 8pm in the Betsey, with guest readings from John Mccullough, Tim Wells and Michael McKimm. Since it's the night before Halloween, ghostly costumes are encouraged... If you're in London on the 30th, please do come to the launch, it should be a great night.