The Sunday Closing Act
An interesting article about the Vivian Arms that shows us just how old our local is! It's from The Cambrian Newspaper, October 27th 1882.
The Sunday Closing Act and the 'Bona Fide Traveller Again. Samuel Davies, of the Vivian Arms, Sketty, was summoned on the information of P.C. Smith, for keeping his house open at illegal hours on Sunday, the 1st October.
The police constable gave evidence to the effect that he saw two men in the house at one o'clock on the Sunday in question. They were Edgington and Davies, of Port Tennant, and were served with beer by the landlady, as she said she knew them.
Mr. Glascodine, who defended, called the two men, who stated that after their week's work they went over the Town Hill for a long walk, and coming back through Sketty, they entered the Vivian Arms, and partook of some beer, remaining there about five minutes. The officer was there, and they at once gave their names to him.
In answer to Superintendent Howlett the men said they went in because they were dry. Mr. Glascodine then called Mr. Lewis Evans, surveyor, who said that he was acquainted with the district of Francis-street, in Port Tenant, and having measured the distance from there to the Vivian Arms, Sketty, he proved it was two miles and 150 yards from the Swansea Post Office to the Vivian Arms, and one mile and more than a quarter from Port Tennant to the Post-office.
Mr. Glascodine, at the close of the evidence, made some strong remarks against the police for bringing up such a case as this. The men were respectable, and being a long way from home and in want of refreshment, they were fairly entitled to it, and the landlady was fully justified in serving them, as they were beyond the prescribed three miles.
The Bench retired to consider their decision, and on their return, Dr. Paddon as chairman of the day, said that after having taken a walk of over three miles for their health, the defendants were reasonably entitled to refreshment. Under these circumstances, the case would be dismissed.
