Pub’s leprechaun gets kidnapped

Patrick on his magical trip with Obama

By Cara Sulieman
A PUBLICAN got a shock when his lucky leprechaun went missing – and he received a ransom note in return.

Mike Stuart, 25, runs the Black Bull Inn in Inverurie and always makes an effort to spruce the place up for St Patrick’s Day.

It was only a few days before the big day when he woke up to find his leprechaun, Patrick, missing and a ransom email sat in his inbox.

Didn’t notice anything

Mike said: “On the Saturday night when he was taken we were really busy so I didn’t notice anything.

“The next day I woke up to this email. I was still half asleep and just thought it was some sort of promotion. It never really clicked.

“But when I went to open the pub I noticed Patrick was missing and it all made sense.”

Leprechaun Liberation Army

The email stated that the Leprechaun Liberation Army had “liberated a leprechaun” from the Black Bull and wanted an improvement in his working and living conditions as well as a reward for his return.

It read: “Patrick has asked that to prove your commitment to him you put up some posters offering a reward for his safe return and also perhaps get your customers to fill a pot of gold which Patrick would then donate to charity.”

Mike instantly put up posters in the bar and started raising cash for the charity appeal.

Barack Obama

As proof that Patrick was being treated well, the kidnappers sent a number of pictures, including a few that showed him on his “magical leprechaun” trip to the US where he met Barack Obama and some Vegas showgirls.

Mike and his regulars raised £200 from the appeal through collections and pub quizzes. They even showed a filmed appeal during one night’s entertainment.

And due to their hard work Patrick was returned in time to join in the St Patrick’s Day celebrations.

Twelve years loyal service

Mike explained that Patrick was an important family friend after twelve years loyal service.

He said: “My mum used to run the bar at the local golf club and she used Patrick to decorate the bar for St Patrick’s Day.

“When I took on the Black Bull two years ago I inherited him. He’s an important part of our life.

“But we raised a lot of money for charity and we’re pleased to have him back.”

Boozy night in the pub

Although it seemed like a carefully planned operation, the kidnap was in fact the result of a boozy night in the pub.

Martin and Angela Matchett, the couple behind the Leprechaun Liberation Army, explained that the kidnap was spontaneous and they had to make it up as they went along.

They said: “We just had a few drinks and the idea came to us and before we knew it our son Liam had Patrick stuffed up his jumper and we were home with him.

“Then the idea grew arms and legs and we decided to see how far we could take it.

“It turned out the family had had him for years so it was lucky we didn’t go with our first idea to cut his finger off and send it with the ransom.

“Mike did think it was us that took Patrick and it was hard to keep straight faces when we were in the pub.”

Guinness gets a boost from the Scots

Cara Sulieman

SCOTLAND is bucking the trend and drinking more of Ireland’s favourite drink, despite plummeting sales.

Guinness reported a sharp decline in sales in both Ireland and the UK earlier this month, with the lowest sales in ten years.

But Scottish pubs aren’t feeling the pinch and say sales of the black stout have never been so good.

And they expect to sell more than ever today as thousands take part in St Patrick’s Day celebrations.

Paddy’s day effect

Iain Pert, operations director of Festival Inns who own Biddy Mulligans, a popular Irish pub in Edinburgh’s Grassmarket said that the sales of the brew have gone up in the past year.

He said: “We have seen more people buying Guinness in the last year. And they always go up around this time of year.

“We’re having a busy few days, and with the rugby last Saturday and St Patrick’s Day today we’re expecting sales to rocket.

“One of the factors is the increase in the number of Irish visitors – the Euro is really strong at the moment so they’re coming across to get a better deal.

“I think everybody is worried about the recession but we’re not seeing a lack of customers just yet.”

It comes as the British Pub and Beer Association announce beer sales are down by 8.3 per cent – to a low that hasn’t been seen since the 1940’s.

Drop in sales

A number of factors are being blamed for the slump including the credit crunch and knock-on effect from the smoking ban.

The Irish company announced a decline in sales in Europe, with Ireland being hit the hardest, seeing a 7 per cent drop.

And the UK was no better, with a three per cent decline in sales of the black stuff.

The company is currently celebrating its 250th anniversary by trotting out golden oldies from their famous advertising stable, and it will be hoping for a surge on St Patrick’s Day today.

Not failure

Despite the drop in sales, the brand is still bringing in the same amount of money as they used to due to price increases and ad campaigns.

And Brian Duffy, global brand director for the company insisted the sales were not an indication of failure.

He said: “Because the trend is negative doesn’t mean it is not a place where we want to be successful and where success is important.”

Scots want St Andrew’s Day celebration to rival all others 244

By Scott Shepherd

Patriotic Scots are calling for a bigger celebration on St. Andrew’s Day. 

A study by The Famous Grouse showed that eight of ten Scots thought the day would be a great chance to reflect on Scottish traditions and be proud of our successes.

Those who took part in the poll said they wanted Scotland’s patron saint to become as popular as St Patrick – a day which is celebrated worldwide.

In the study of over 1000 Scots, the definite message was for St. Andrew’s Day to be a reason to celebrate the vitality and success of Scotland.

Gerry O’Donnell, Director of The Famous Grouse said: “We are delighted that so many Scots are calling for St. Andrew’s Day to be made a more celebrated occasion nationwide.”

 “We urge Scots around the globe to get behind St. Andrew’s Day and make this celebration as important a date on the calendar as St. Patrick’s Day has become.”

The nostalgic Scots who were polled thought that the day should be used to celebrate past national heroes such as William Wallace and Robert the Bruce.

And successful modern day Scots were also mentioned such as Olympic gold medallist Chris Hoy and football manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Iain Emerson, editor of the Tartan Army magazine believes that the celebrations could have a link to sport.

He said: “If Scotland showed the same enthusiasm on St. Andrew’s Day as we do when doing well in sporting events then the celebrations would be massive. We should be proud to celebrate Scotland on a larger scale.

“Ireland has got it right with St. Patrick’s Day so it is up to Scotland to embrace the holiday and be proud of our nation. I think it is a great idea for it to become a national holiday – it will encourage national pride and identity even more.”

Almost two thirds of those taking part in the survey thought that the November 30th celebrations were the perfect opportunity to celebrate the nation’s pride in being Scottish.   

And the nation’s requests for St. Andrew’s day to become more celebrated have not gone unnoticed.

The Scottish Government is stepping up its campaign to make St. Andrew’s day a national celebration.

Scotland’s culture Minister Linda Fabiani spoke out earlier this year after the success of the Government run winter festival.

She said: “St Andrew’s Day is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate Scotland’s proud national identity, steeped in rich culture and history. The Scottish Government is leading the way to build this into a true cultural celebration for all to enjoy.”

This year’s Winter festival will begin on St Andrew’s Day.

The Scottish Parliament declared November 30th a national holiday for their staff in 2007 and the Scottish Government are likely to follow suit this year according to Ms Fabiani.

A VisitScotland spokesman said: “This will be the ideal opportunity to highlight and celebrate St Andrews Day and to celebrate Scotland’s proud national identity ahead of Homecoming Scotland and the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns.

“Scotland is famed for its rich heritage and culture and this will be exemplified with the added celebrations.”