Steve Clare the two guide dogs and I set off for Wandsworth yesterday taking a break to grab some much required breakfast. The journey went well and we arrived at Wandsworth town station in plenty of time and earlier than those going by road!

We had a chat with others waiting and then all went across the road to the young’s pub for a drink, the St Georges Ale was on top form and its hoppy nature cut through the hot day. I guess around 15 people came to Wandsworth with us which was a nice number to get our point across with out been confrontational, as we have said before, our aim is constructive and peaceful campaigning and this I believe we achieved.

The majority of us went outside for an interesting chat with Patrick Dardis the sales director of Young & Co who indicated that we may not get to keep many of the beers we love so much in the Rising Sun which was disappointing, but he was a nice enough gentleman and gave us 20 minutes or so of his time and all those who wanted to say something were given a moment to speak.

On a positive note it shows how seriously Young & Co are taking us sending out a director of the company at such a busy time for them. We hope this is the start of a fruitful dialog between ourselves and the company, but next time a smaller number of people and inside a building would enhance the experience and help us all. The petition was then presented along with your letters of support and when Patrick left us we asked if we could present it at the gates of the Ram brewery. He also said he would read through the messages of support and in fact he also has logged on to savetheriser.org in the past.

I clambered in Geoff’s van with Jaid my guide dog and we were a little thwarted by the one-way system in Wandsworth but eventually made it to the brewery gates at which point our group stood with the banner for pictures, we only stayed at the entrance for a few minutes but that was more than adequate. We handed in the petition plus messages and asked that it was given to Patrick then made our way home.

The 3 of us along with Paul Not his sister and some other campaigners couldn’t resist a drink in the same young’s pub opposite the station before going back to Epsom

The Epsom Post came to the pub a little later than advertised and pictures were taken of the great selection of beers, the smashing customers, plus one or two of Clare and another young lady customer especially for the paper. I personally think they should have got myself and Don in those snaps, but I guess we would provide the wrong impression of the place.

For those who came along to either event, thanks so much.