Have a drink on me, says singer marking 60 years
DRINKERS at two Westcountry pubs enjoyed a free drink yesterday, courtesy of singer songwriter Paul Heaton.
The frontman of bands the Housemartins and the Beautiful South put money behind the bars at the Minerva in Plymouth, and the Polgooth Inn in St Austell.
There should have been enough to ensure around 200 people could toast the singer’s 60th birthday.
Heaton who once owned a pub in Manchester, had planned a cycling tour of pubs to play one-off gigs to mark his birthday – an echo of a similar tour he held when he was 50.
But he announced on Twitter that the pandemic had affected his recording and performing schedule and so he decided to share a birthday drink – remotely – with his fans.
Pubs around the country got the call from the singer, but just two in
Devon and Cornwall, St Austell’s Polgooth Inn and the Minerva in Looe Street, Plymouth, were the only two chosen in the region.
Polgooth Inn landlady Tanya Williams wouldn’t be pushed when we asked her how much Paul had put behind the bar but she did say it was a “substantial amount” and enough for “roughly a couple of hundred” to enjoy a drink on the singer and songwriter.
“He did a gig in the pub 10 years ago as part of his 50th birthday tour when he cycled around the country playing in pubs,” she said.
“His management team contacted us, but you’re always slightly wary when people want to put money into your account.
“My husband messaged Paul on Twitter who verified it was all true. It’s a nice gesture and is making everyone smile.
“There’s been quite a lot of interest on social media – the offer is just for today. He deliberately only announced it yesterday as he wants it to be just for people who are his fans or fans of our pub. He’s a big advocate for local communities and local pubs.”
Paul explained in a Facebook post that he had intended to do another of his bicycle tours across the UK, visiting and performing 60 pubs to celebrate his big 6-0.
But due to “recording delays” due to the pandemic, that had to be put on the back burner. So instead, kind-hearted Paul decided the “next best way to celebrate this coming of age is to handpick 60 pubs across the UK and Ireland and put a given amount of money behind the bar of each one”.
He says he hopes that both fans of his, and regulars at the pubs, can enjoy a “birthday drink on me” until the money runs out or the bar runs dry.