I got word from a contact at the Friends of the Lewes Arms on Monday afternoon that there was a quick photo opportunity outside the pub. So I went along with my camera. At first there didn’t seem to be anyone around, but then I found a handful of protesters in a doorway down the road. There was a mood of some hilarity. It’s been a big week in their campaign against Greene King, who stopped serving Harvey’s in the pub in November, clearly not realising what they were letting themselves in for. There was a lot of coverage in the national press at the start of the campaign, especially around Bonfire Night, when a flurry of articles came out. But since then FOLA’s protest has had little more than a local impact.
Then came Friday, and a four page article in the G2 section of the Guardian, with a large picture of a number of FOLA members outside the pub. The article, written by former LA regular Tim Minogue, was a damning indictment of Greene King’s policies, using the Lewes Arms as its main example. News engenders news. Next came a short article in the Observer in Nick Cohen’s weekly opinion page. This was followed on Monday with the news that Greene King MD Mark Angela had been sacked. Which led to the photo op’. The FT, it seems, were planning a piece on the matter, but could only run it if they had pictures which went alongside it. I volunteered my services, as did another FOLA member. On the given order, eleven picketers materialised out of hiding and emerged in front of the pub, unfurling a large, freshly-made banner. Five minutes later, photos taken, they had dispersed. Presumably to the Ellie, for a pint of Harveys. The article ran the next morning, along with a picture. Another bash in the nose for Greene King. Is a resolution in sight? AL