Alcohol Help

The history and future of alcohol production and consumption will be examined at the next Cafe Science event to be held in Dundee.

Graeme Walker, Professor of Zymology at the University of Abertay Dundee, will deliver a talk entitled ‘Through the Drinking Glass, and the Story of Alcohol’ at Chambers Coffee Shop, 34 South Tay St, Dundee on Monday, 26th March.

Professor Walker will shed some light on our relationship with alcohol by looking at its origins and likely future, as well as its use for purposes other than drinking. He will also answer questions from the audience following the conclusion of the event.

“Alcohol has been made by humans for thousands of years, and is intimately linked with human history,” explained Professor Walker.

“The ancient art forms of brewing, winemaking and distilling are now regarded as true scientific disciplines, and I will be discussing how beer, wine, whisky and other alcoholic drinks are made before discussing some of the advances associated with modern production.

“In recent times bioethanol has become a very valuable source of renewable energy as a biofuel, and we’ll be looking at the pros and cons of global fuel alcohol production.”

The monthly Cafe Science events take the form of informal discussions led by leading local researchers that allow members of the public the opportunity to learn more about the ground-breaking science taking place at the Universities of Dundee and Abertay, the James Hutton Institute, and Dundee Science Centre.

Professor Walker’s takes place at 7pm on Monday, 26th March. Seating is limited so attendees are advised to arrive early. Hot meals can be ordered until 6.15pm, and entry is free and open to all.

Cafe Science was launched in January 2008, and nearly 3000 people have attended the events since then.

University of Dundee
Nethergate
Dundee
DD1 4HN

TEL: 01382 384768

For the first time, the Best Bar None Angus Awards initiative, run by the Focus on Alcohol Angus, is to invite local retailers of alcohol sales to gain recognition for their good practice.

The ‘Safer Retailer Award for Alcohol’ category incorporates the national Safer Retailer Award and will be on offer to premises who sell alcohol on a retail basis.

Since the inception of the Best Bar None Angus initiative there have been requests from retailers, including supermarkets, small alcohol off-sales and general retailers, to establish an award that would recognise their efforts within the licensed trade to be a Best Bar None Angus premise.

This new initiative complements the successful accreditation award scheme for the licensed trade that acknowledges good practice when selling alcohol within the community within pubs, bars and nightclubs.

Best Bar None Angus has been running very successfully for the last four years. The scheme is co-ordinated locally by the Focus on Alcohol Angus partnership Tayside Police, Tayside Fire and Rescue, Angus Local Licensing Forum, trading standards service and Angus Council’s joint services team (community safety).

The introduction of this year’s new category for off-sales premises is seen as very positive. Tayside Police’s Chief Superintendent Colin MacKay said:

“There is no doubt that many of the problems caused by alcohol stem from the alcohol that people buy to drink at home, friend’s houses, or in public places. This is largely due to the fact that sales of alcohol bought in small and large shops, as well as supermarkets clearly outweigh sales of alcohol bought in pubs, bars, restaurants, nightclubs and elsewhere.

“Unfortunately, for a number of reasons, alcohol consumption at home and elsewhere can be excessive. By further raising the good standards that we already have here in Angus in premises that sell alcohol to the public, off the shelves, we will help to further reduce the number of instances of crime and anti-social behaviour associated with excessive alcohol consumption.

“As such, I welcome the introduction of this new category this year within our successful Best Bar None Angus Awards and I would urge local shops and supermarkets who sell alcohol across Angus to apply for the award.”

Both the Safer Retailer Award and Best Bar None nationally are supported and promoted through the Scottish Business Crime Centre. Best Bar None in Angus is the first initiative to bring together both schemes to recognise good practice in alcohol sales both on and off licensed premises.

Matt Ronan from the Scottish Business Crime Centre said:

“The Safer Retail Award Scotland was implemented as a follow on to the successful Best Bar None Scotland scheme. By running both initiatives side by side Angus has again led the way as an example of good practice. Too often communities are blighted by behaviour such as that which is fuelled by the sale of alcohol across the counter.

“The police are well used to coping with the consequences when complaints start coming in. However, this scheme in Angus is about getting in early and working with retailers to further control the supply at source. I am delighted that retailers in Angus are willing to meet the high standards required to be accredited under the Safer Retailer Award. In doing so those shops are showing their willingness to make Angus an even better place to live and work.

“This initiative is yet another excellent example of the Focus on Alcohol Angus partnership approach to tackling the important issues that are associated with alcohol.”

To apply to take part in the New Safer Retailer Award for Alcohol Category, contact Focus on Alcohol Angus on 01307 474879 or email alcohol@angus.gov.uk.

Angus Council