Nobody will believe it until they have a pint of Harveys in their hand, inside the door of what has recently become one of the most famous pubs in England. But it looks like the Friends of the Lewes Arms have won their battle to reinstate Harveys in Lewes’ most community-oriented pub. Last Thursday, the Radio 4 daytime programme ‘You and Yours’ sent a reporter down to Lewes to interview former locals of the pub about their struggle, which has been going on since November. The protesters interviewed, including Catherine Darcy and Mayor Merlin Milner, came across as good-natured, well-spoken, rational and above all funny people. Greene King, the owners of the Lewes Arms, whose carefully manicured image has gone down the pan since the dispute began, declined to be interviewed on the show, but they did prepare a statement. ‘We didn’t fully appreciate the pub… or take into account its history and traditions,’ it read. ‘We are reconsidering our decision, which is likely to be (made) in the next two weeks after an internal review’. It would be hard for Greene King to make such a statement, and maintain their current policy of not serving Harveys in the pub. So it looks like a concerted campaign by a group of dedicated individuals has won its battle against a corporate giant. The FOLA members, who have spent the coldest months of the year protesting outside the pub they would much rather be enjoying a pint inside, deserve more than a pat on the back. We should take their actions into account when we are faced with future spectres on the horizon, which threaten the wellbeing of town. Congratulations to everyone concerned. In the meantime, a reminder that a few tickets remain on sale in Laporte’s on Lansdowne Place for the production of The Angel and the Fiend (see page 14), which we are putting on in the Constitutional Club on Friday evening. Enjoy the week.